Spiritual abusers can sometimes be excellent speakers. They can use that "gift" to abuse. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:13 I'm nearing the end of my first year of college and in the next couple of weeks will be really… Continue reading Was Your Spiritual Abuser a Good Speaker?
Category: Personal Stories
Survivor Shares about Abuse in Which He Puts the Blame Ultimately on the Teachings of Bill Gothard
** Abuse Survivor Shares Experience with Bill Gothard's Teachings (IBLP) and Holds Him Responsible ** *** A comment was left by "Dash" very early this morning on an old article from October of 2014, Bill Gothard’s New Program/Ministry: Total Success Power Teams. When someone comments on an old post, you know they used search engines to… Continue reading Survivor Shares about Abuse in Which He Puts the Blame Ultimately on the Teachings of Bill Gothard
My Name is Gracie: I’m Married to an Unbeliever
What is the church's response to Christians who are married to unbelievers? I walked my son to his bus stop this morning and came across this lonely crocus in my front yard. Everything in my yard says Winter is still here, but this one little crocus showed her pretty face in the recent warm days we've… Continue reading My Name is Gracie: I’m Married to an Unbeliever
An Update on Bethany: Almost Trapped in the Christian Patriarchy Movement
*** Last year, I posted a personal story (A Young Woman’s Relationship with Her Boyfriend is Shattered by Christian Patriarchy) from "Bethany" who was struggling in a relationship with her boyfriend, whose family was involved in the Christian Patriarchy Movement influenced by the likes of Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, etc. I received a follow-up e-mail from Bethany, almost… Continue reading An Update on Bethany: Almost Trapped in the Christian Patriarchy Movement
The Lingering Pain of Spiritual Abuse
The pain of her leaving caused me to go deep and question the character of God which was being tainted by a man and his crude ideas, perpetuating a church of hate and discord against anyone who didn’t agree with him and his pure doctrine ideologies.
What Happened When You Shared Your Abuse Story with Someone for the First Time?
*** What Happened When You Shared Your Abuse Story with Someone for the First Time? Did They Believe you? *** This is the fourth time I've started this post. I can tell when something is triggering me when I lose my writing mojo. Last week, the media reported additional women speaking out about being sexually violated/raped… Continue reading What Happened When You Shared Your Abuse Story with Someone for the First Time?
A Personal Story: Spiritual Abuse through Word of Faith Teachings during Tragic Infant Loss
*** Loura Lawrence shares her personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse through Word of Faith occult-like teachings *** October is the month designated for pregnancy and infant loss awareness, so this story is timely. Last week, I received a personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse. Imagine combining the tragic loss of a… Continue reading A Personal Story: Spiritual Abuse through Word of Faith Teachings during Tragic Infant Loss
Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
Christian Domestic Discipline, "wife spanking," Christian Patriarchy Movement, Spanking of Adult Children, Denominational Practices and teachings *** Two summers ago, I received a phone call from a pastor who shared his growing concern about wife-spanking in his family of churches. Months later, I finally reported on the topic of wife spanking in this article: The Christian… Continue reading Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
Personal Story: I am a Spiritual Abuse Survivor
*** A spiritual abuse survivor shares her personal story *** A long-time reader recovering from spiritual abuse recently shared her story with me and has given me permission to share it with you. She is choosing to remain anonymous. It is very well written. I'm going to issue a trigger warning for content related to:… Continue reading Personal Story: I am a Spiritual Abuse Survivor
When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
*** A personal story of a father who used Christianity and the Bible as a weapon as he controlled his daughter and allowed her to be abused. *** In my recent article, So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college? "Guest" made a comment that is too important to be buried in the… Continue reading When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
The Privilege of Church Membership
Church Membership Today's post is written by long-time reader, Kathi (whom some may recognize as "kb," moderator on the SSB Facebook page). Kathi, found the former BGBCSurvivor blog after hearing about my defamation lawsuit in the local news. It turns out, Kathi and I lived in the same town for years, but our paths never crossed.… Continue reading The Privilege of Church Membership
Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse can leave damaging scars, some resulting in real difficulties, including anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, etc. *** Longtime SSB reader, Refugee, left a comment with questions regarding the difficulty she is facing after having experienced spiritual abuse. Because she responded to an older article and I really want her to get answers (and likely… Continue reading Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
Ex-wife of convicted pedophile writes open letter to Editors of Christianity Today after they published and then removed an article written by a former youth pastor and convicted pedophile. Sometimes when people go through a horrific experience, they become an expert in their "field" from what they learn and are able to benefit so many… Continue reading Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor
*** An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor *** Pastor Tchividjian, As a blogger who deals with abuse in church and connects with survivors of spiritual and sexual abuse, I wanted to share with you some of the feedback I have received regarding your recent Christian Post article, Tullian Tchividjian… Continue reading An Open Letter to Tullian Tchividjian, Including a Personal Note from a Sex Abuse Survivor
Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse
Do individuals suffer harm when they remain in verbally or emotionally abusive relationships? Cindy Kunsman illustrates the effects through an account of spiritual abuse. By Cindy Kunsman, UnderMuchGrace.com After reading Julie Anne's post questioning whether divorce from an abusive spouse is actually a “sin,” I found myself thinking of the loss of perspective and… Continue reading Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse
Lourdes, Lifeboats, and Bounded Choice: Part I (An Illustration)
*** After reading the account of the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel abuse by Vision Forum founder, Doug Phillips, Cindy Kunsman reflects on her own sex abuse story. *** Note from Julie Anne: I remember talking to Cindy Kunsman around the time the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel lawsuit was made public. Lourdes' story greatly affected her in a personal way, reminding her… Continue reading Lourdes, Lifeboats, and Bounded Choice: Part I (An Illustration)
Calvary Chapel Pastor Bob Coy’s Story of Moral Corruption Leads Calvary Chapel Members to Share Their Personal Stories
*** The moral scandal of mega-church pastor Bob Coy leads others to come forward to tell their personal stories of corruption and abuse among the Calvary Chapel franchise of churches. *** *** You may have heard of the recent scandal by Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy. The church elders called a special church meeting… Continue reading Calvary Chapel Pastor Bob Coy’s Story of Moral Corruption Leads Calvary Chapel Members to Share Their Personal Stories
List of Christian Expressions or Phrases that Are Churchy or Christianese that can Trigger Negative Church Experiences
*** Popular phrases or expressions heard in Christian churches or groups that now identify as "churchy" or Christianese and now sometimes annoy the heck out of those of us who have been hurt in church. *** This is Sunday and some of you/us may have difficulty going to church for a number of reasons.… Continue reading List of Christian Expressions or Phrases that Are Churchy or Christianese that can Trigger Negative Church Experiences
Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
*** A homeschool mother responds to the influence of Doug Phillips in Patriarchy, in the Homeschool Movement, in Christian Homeschool Conferences, and how it has affected her family and her faith. *** A comment came in a bit ago from "devaneyjoy" on the article, Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 2 - The… Continue reading Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
Ex-Wife of Pedophile Shares Update about Court Sentencing and Her New Reality
*** Ex-wife of pedophile shares how she and her family are dealing with their new reality after his conviction and sentencing. *** One of our own, Brenda, had a difficult week last week. You may recall, months ago, while searching the topic "wives of pedophiles" on the internet, Brenda found the article, Being Married to a Pedophile:… Continue reading Ex-Wife of Pedophile Shares Update about Court Sentencing and Her New Reality
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