Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
-by Kathi
Scripture is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, Readings for Year 2 and may be found here. Continue reading
Survivor Emily Jaeger Responds to Bill Gothard’s Reactions to Her Revealing She is “Jane Doe III”
Bill Gothard, sex abuse, cults, lawsuit, Emily Jaeger, freedom, IBLP
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A note of introduction from Julie Anne:
Emily Jaeger is one of the sexual abuse survivors and plaintiffs in the Bill Gothard/IBLP sex abuse lawsuit. Her official statement about the lawsuit was posted on Spiritual Sounding Board a few days ago.
Then someone close to Bill Gothard contacted me. He runs the Discovering Grace website, which is devoted to supporting and defending Bill Gothard and his teachings. We communicated at length, during which he asked me if I wanted to post Bill Gothard’s response to Emily Jaeger’s statement (per Bill’s suggestion). After I declined, it was then published at Discovering Grace website.
I initially said no, because I do not want my blog to be used as a platform for an abuser. However, then I saw Emily Jaeger’s new reply to Bill Gothard’s response statement, and it made sense to me to post both.
I may have more to say later — in fact, I am thinking of doing an SSB “learn to discern” post to analyze these statements in depth. But for now, I’ll say I think his statement is a perfect opportunity to see a spiritual abuser in action, violating boundaries, and hers shows what it looks like when someone leaves the influence of a high-control environment, thinks independently, and makes their own decisions. See what you think … Continue reading
BREAKING: Lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles Dismissed
Bill Gothard, IBLP, Sex Abuse, Lawsuit
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I have received the following statement from the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles.
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The statement reads:
Our Statement
Due to the unique complexities of this case, including the statutes
of limitation, we have made the difficult decision to voluntarily
dismiss our lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic
Life Principles. We want to make it abundantly clear that by
dismissing our lawsuit at this time, we are not recanting our
experiences or dismissing the incalculable damage that we believe
Gothard has done by his actions and certain teachings. Nor are we
disregarding that his organization chose to protect themselves
instead of those under their care.
Signed by Former Plaintiffs:
Rachel Glader Frost
Rachel Lees
Charis Wood Barker
Megan Lind
Joy Simmons
Jane Doe VI
Melody Ruth
Emily Jaeger (Jane Doe III)
Jane Doe IV
Jane Doe V
Helen Lucius (Jane Doe)
Carmen Okhmatovski
Daniel S. Dorsett Sr.
Jamie Becker Deering
Gretchen Wilkinson
Ruth Copley Burger
Jennifer
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BREAKING: Statement from “Jane Doe” Emily Jaeger on Lawsuit Against Bill Gothard and Institute in Basic Life Principles
Bill Gothard, Institute in Basic Life Principles, Sex Abuse Lawsuit
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Official Statement by Emily Jaeger (Jane Doe III)
I am Jane Doe III.
I’ve waited for a long time to say those words.
For over two years I’ve lived in the shadows. I’ve lived in fear of others. Fear of backlash, rejection, and hate. Fear of the men I was standing against and of their supporters.
Why, do you ask, am I coming out now that the lawsuit is over? Because in these two-and one-half years of fighting the biggest battle of my life, I became a new person. I am no longer that scared little girl wanting to hide under the guise of a pseudonym. I am ready to come out of those shadows. I’m ready to share my story, and this time with my name. Continue reading
SSB Sunday Gathering – February 25, 2018
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
-by Kathi
Scripture is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, Readings for Year 2 and may be found here. Continue reading
Book Review Series – Lori Alexander’s “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – Ken Alexander has the Final Word
The Power of a Transformed Wife: Lori Alexander, Submission, Control, Godly Marriage
Comment and response on The Transformed Wife, 2/13/18
-by Kathi
This is a book review series of The Power of a Transformed Wife by Lori Alexander. If you are just joining us, you may click on previous chapter reviews if you’d like to catch up.
Introduction & Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 – Part 1 Chapter 8 – Part 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17
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Chapter 18 – A Way to a Man’s Heart… Continue reading
SSB Sunday Gathering – February 18, 2018
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
-by Kathi
Scripture is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, Readings for Year 2 and may be found here. Continue reading
Valentines on Ash Wednesday
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Brad Sargent, part of the SSB team, wrote this yesterday and I thought it was so good, I asked him if I could share it with you.
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Valentine’s Day can be a great day or a difficult day depending on your relationship status: single, married, divorced, separated. Some people have had (or currently have) difficult marriages that taint the day. But I really liked this! This is ultimate Love. For you and Me.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pastor Kevin Swanson’s Blame Game When it Comes to the Dr. Larry Nassar Child Sex Abuse Cases
Kevin Swanson; Larry Nassar; Child Sex Abuse; Rachael Denhollander
Kevin Swanson from Generations.org
-by Kathi with editorial comments by Julie Anne
Kevin Swanson’s February 9, 2018 broadcast on Generations covered the recent gymnastics and sexual abuse case by now-convicted sexual predator, Dr. Larry Nassar. Right Wing Watch picked up his broadcast and noted that he blames immodesty in the sport of gymnastics for Dr. Larry Nassar’s behavior.
Julie Anne texted me at work and asked if I would be willing to write a snarky post about Swanson [JA here = is it possible to do a Kevin Swanson post sans snark? Serious question.] As much I can’t stand to listen to him speak, I decided to listen to the whole broadcast. Kathi is a glutton for punishment. I only asked if she would be willing to write about the modesty part that Right Wing Watch reported on. In fact, here is where she tells me on Messenger:
My (unfortunate) experience with listening to Swanson over the years has brought me to the understanding that he is never sympathetic to victims of sexual abuse, so I wanted to see if this broadcast would be any different. My snarky side turned to my angry side as I realized that he hasn’t changed one bit. Continue reading
SSB Sunday Gathering – February 11, 2018
A Personal Story and a Sad Conclusion When Pastors Failed to Respond Appropriately to Domestic Violence
Desiring God’s Attitude Toward Mental Health
Desiring God; John Piper; Church Attitudes Toward Mental Health
A Preacher’s Bible? Why?
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JA is scratching her head. I don’t get it. Do you?
SSB Sunday Gathering – February 4, 2018
Is Ravi Zacharias Violating his Federal Lawsuit Non-Disclosure Agreement? Does Anybody Care?
Ravi Zacharias, Online Sex Scandal, NDA, Lawsuit, Suicide emails
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GUEST POST by Steve Baughman
Is Ravi Zacharias Violating his Federal Lawsuit Non-Disclosure Agreement? Does Anybody Care?
by Steve Baughman
On November 9, 2017, Ravi Zacharias settled his lawsuit against Lori Anne and Brad Thompson by entering into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The terms of the agreement are confidential. But from what Ms. Thompson says, they are highly restrictive. She told an inquiring Christian blogger shortly after the settlement, “My husband and I are, and always will be bound by confidentiality legally. All I can say now or ever say is that he dropped the lawsuit and the matter is settled.”
Ravi apparently sees it the same way. He told Christianity Today “I am legally prevented from answering or even discussing the questions and claims being made by some, other than to say that each side paid for their own legal expenses and no ministry funds were used.” According to the magazine, “Zacharias declined to comment to CT on the image of the emails showing the apparent suicide threat, citing the nondisclosure agreement.”
This is pretty standard stuff. A case settles on confidential terms and nobody can talk about it except to say that it has settled.
Take careful note. The Thompsons can now say nothing. And they appear to be taking their promise seriously.
What about Ravi?
Well,… not so much. Continue reading
Book Review Series – “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – “Healthy,” One of Lori’s Favorite Buzz Words
The Power of a Transformed Wife: Lori Alexander, Healthy Living
Owen, the Watch Dog, does not approve of this book.
-by Kathi
This is a book review series of The Power of a Transformed Wife by Lori Alexander. If you are just joining us, you may click on previous chapter reviews if you’d like to catch up.
Introduction & Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 – Part 1 Chapter 8 – Part 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16
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Chapter 17 – Serving Healthy Foods Means Healthy Families
We’re getting to the point in the book where I’m wondering why some of these chapters are even in here. I’m beginning to feel like they’re merely pages to fill up a book. The last chapter was about decluttering your home, and this one is about healthy food and DIY household cleaners. Which leads me to question:
What does this have to do with being a “transformed wife?” Continue reading
Will Those in the Real Gospel-Centered Churches Please Stand?
Gospel-Centered Movement, TGC, YRR, Calvinists, Jared Wilson
BREAKING: Pastor Trey Brunson threatened to call security on Q&A questioner re: Ravi Zacharias’ suicide email and online sexual relationship with married woman
Ravi Zacharias, Jacksonville Pastors’ Conference 2018, Threats
URGENT! BREAKING!
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THIS AFTERNOON Pastor Trey Brunson threatened to call security on Q&A questioner who wished to ask about Ravi Zacharias’ admitted suicide threat and online affair with married Canadian woman.
The organizers of this event are using police tactics to keep the information from reaching the flock about their speaker, who tonight will be honored with the Lindsay Award.
Please insist that they address this issue before confirming this award on a man who threatened suicide to cover up an online affair he had with a married woman from home he received nude photos. Ravi Zacharias put his public image above the marital well-being of a Christian woman.
This may disrupt the show, but that’s the price of integrity.
UPDATE: The person threatened was removed from the conference!
SSB Gathering – January 28, 2018
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
-by Kathi
Scripture is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, Readings for Year 2 and may be found here. Continue reading
Why Aren’t Church Leaders and RZIM Board Members Asking Ravi Zacharias about the Suicide Emails and about His Online Sexual Relationship?
Ravi Zacharias, RZIM, Sex Scandal, Lawsuit
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Twitter photo
Ravi Zacharias seems to have fallen off the radar. However, he did not fall off my radar. I never signed a nondisclosure agreement. I can share more if I feel so inclined. But I don’t think I will stop speaking out about Ravi Zacharias until he comes clean. The signing of a nondisclosure agreement should make one question: if he has nothing to hide, why was there a nondisclosure agreement?
I have received emails from donors who are wanting to see “the” emails between he and Ms. Thompson, and rightly so. If these folks are supporting a ministry, they have the right to know if their money is going to support someone who is telling the truth or not.
What I don’t understand is how did this case of internationally-known Ravi Zacharias and his sexual relationship with the married woman, Ms. Thompson, get to the point of legal action without the RZIM Board knowing the details? Does that sound normal to you? It does not to me. I was on the board of a non-profit, and all of the board members were supposed to know and kept abreast of what was going on within the organization. You better believe if there was a lawsuit going on, we would have been the first to know, and we would have known the details.
