A Powerful Note To C.J. Mahaney…And A Request From A Reporter
August 16, 2011 in Sovereign Grace Ministries
A couple of days ago, someone going by the handle of “Laconic Conservative” posted the following comment. I thought it was pretty powerful:
Dear CJ,
I wrote you a letter of thanks and encouragement 15 years ago. You told me later that you were going to keep it along with other special letters you had received over the years to share with your children as a legacy of your life. I certainly hope you receive and keep a copy of this letter for them to read as a comparison of my disappointment as well!
So, CJ, let’s talk man-to-man. You wrote that your 13 year friendship with Mark far outweighs the love and care that you believe can be provided for you by those who have loved you, worshipped with you and prayed with/for you over the past 30 years? What greater insult could you heap upon the members of Covenant Life Church than this slap in the face from the man who held us all to such a high standard of accountability? Well, so much for your preaching about your commitment to “The Local Church”. We now see the true weight of your commitment to CLC, your fellow church members or your own teaching. All the while we are shaking our heads ruefully.
CLC membership does not need to decide whether you are still qualified to lead. You disqualified yourself upon abandoning CLC for the sake of your own pride and vanity. You are obviously too embarrassed and ashamed to face accountability, corrective adjustment and your own reality. You should be ashamed! Looking back, it was a good thing Carolyn’s father told you at your wedding that he trusted Jesus! How insightfully prophetic was he? Do you ever wonder whether your father would still be so proud of you or would he simply shake his head ruefully?
1 Timothy 5:1 reads: “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers” but you abandoned CLC and now disallow those who have loved you for years from either rebuking or encouraging you! We are the same age, and “brother”, since you will not allow us to restore you gently, we shall treat you as an unbeliever while we continue to simply shake our heads ruefully!
I am sickened to my stomach to remember the day you were preaching about Larry’s departure from SGM! In case you have forgotten, let recreate the moment for you, (and for everyone else who happened to miss your performance). You were fully engulfed in tears! Between sobs you asked that the microphone be turned off so you could “speak off the record”. Your words still ring in my heart through your sobs, “I would rather die than to do what Larry has done.” There was no explanation from you about what Larry had done and so you left CLC members sitting in our seats thinking, “WTF?” as we wondered what happened that would make you want to die?
Oh, yuck, that memory just made me throw up in my mouth . . . but just a little!
I praise God you preached for years to place our trust in our Sovereign Lord. Abandoning CLC has perfectly demonstrated that placing our trust in man will always result in disappointment and failure. I praise God that He does fulfill His promises and that my wife and I have taught our children to place ALL OF OUR FAITH in Him!
3 more short things . . .
1 – Christ’s finished work was not the Cross . . . the finished work was His resurrection! Everyone dies, but Christ’s death was meaningless unless he had overcome death!
2 – Yes, I too am a sinner, but I don’t dwell on it all the time anymore because I am a redeemed sinner. (SEE # 1 ABOVE)
3 – I have prayed for you at length. Please know that I forgive you just as Jesus would. But in my failures, I won’t trust you anymore. Thank you, CJ, once again, for demonstrating a lesson filled with so much life application. (SEE # 1 ABOVE)
—- From “Laconic Conservative”
————————————————–
Secondly, I received a request yesterday from a reporter at the Washington Post. She is interested in talking with those who are willing to go on the record, under their real names, and speak about their experiences with Sovereign Grace Ministries. This reporter and I have exchanged several emails, and we’ve come up with the following arrangement: if you would be willing to be interviewed, please email me, and I will forward your message on to her.
Many of you have in the past expressed wonder over the idea that the news media has not paid more attention to the SGM situation. People have often urged me to seek out reporters and try to get them interested in the story. Frankly – as I shared with the Washington Post person – I have always hesitated to pursue the secular media, as I think SGM’s issues are extremely nuanced. It’s always been my concern that any story would shortsightedly hone in on SGM’s conservative, Bible-based theology as the source of all the organization’s woes and completely miss the larger story, which is that a group that espouses essentially orthodox Christian beliefs can nonetheless redefine certain key terms and use social pressures and tactics straight out of thought-reform practices to end up functioning like a cult sometimes.
But I do believe that many of you have had experiences that are newsworthy, and I would strongly encourage anyone willing to be interviewed on the record to contact me at krisATsgmsurvivorsDOTcom.
One more thought about “little lady loves-the-lord who knew nothing about it.”
This dear lady will at some point discover that she has been deceived by the leaders she trusted. This knowledge will be painful to her. She will have to work through it.
Would you rather protect her from the pain and let her remain deceived?
I am sorry for the undeserved pain that regular people in the pews will suffer. But pain that leads to truth and understanding is worthwhile.
We can be true to our Lord even as scandals in the church are coming to light.
And it is up to the Holy Spirit to show our friends and neighbors what the truth is, and who He really is.
Hiding the truth does not represent Christ!!
CHS #50: There is a DIFFERENCE between anger and standing up for justice.
Past wrongs should be acknowledged and REAL changes made, so that more children are not sexually molested, so that more families are not victimized, so that more individuals are not abused by being in disagreement with a church leaders.
CHS #50.
I think anger is justified. Anger is an emotion. Jesus was angered.
From my perspective, I want to see the abuses stopped in their tracks. I want no justification given to people that feel that they can continue with past practices that have hurt so many people. Even though offenses may have happened in the past, the results are continuing today.
Pure and simple, until there has been heartfelt grief for what has happened, as well as a visible change in behavior (not just platitudes), there is going to be anger. However, that anger can be changed to joy in the blink of an eye.
Sorry Guy….
Anger, slander, and gossip supersede all other sins in SGM.
SGMnot, awesome posts and response!
exclcer re:#256
1) my concern is for the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
2) Thank you for the case no. Unfortunately, the public record is very basic and rather sparse, showing only the high-level steps of the legal process. There is no information about what actually happened. I wish it told a more complete story.
3) My question was not addressed to you, but to exCLCer’smom. Perhaps she will answer later?
4) Apparently you were never informed about the money exCLCer’smom received from the church. I understand from other sources it was a non-trivial sum. Am I misinformed or is there more to the story than has yet been told?
I happen to like the Washington Post very much. (imagine that, lol). And if the time comes where there is still no appropriate response from the parties who should be held accountable, the public will, no doubt, be aware.
However, I also know for a fact, these stories the victims and families have shared on this blog are only the tip of the ice-burg…… there’s so much more going on than we can see. I know personally and firsthand from several other people and victims who have contacted me privately– there have been several other cases in the church and the school, of members sexually abusing children, reported to the pastors in this church, with nothing being done about it. I am just not at liberty to tell these peoples stories here. The real “story” is one of a systematic failure of the leadership — not one of individual victims. And I am almost sure that once/if the inevitable number of other victims come forward, whether its through a bog or through litigation or through a media outlet, the focus of the “story” will no longer be each individual story, but will more appropriately be the system that allowed or encouraged these stories to happen. I would not want to see a national article about any individual victim – as it could cause undue embarrassment to them – but will cautiously watch and wait (impatiently) to see if there is an appropriate response from the organization first. I would also urge anyone who would decide to go to the media now to retain legal counsel first.(see next post on tips for talking to reporters)
Kris, your response to the “concerned” person who wrote you about Mr A was RIGHT ON. And really really good point about the “embarrassment”. Surely, he wasnt too concerned about the potential embarrassment when he committed the act, and the real life ramifications of that is to have to live with that embarrassment. (and as you noted, his wife who had to realize that too when she chose to marry him). The sad part is that he caused potential embarrassment for his victim who never deserved it and didnt have a choice in the matter.
(PS – for those lurkers who have figureed out who we are and have tried to contact the victim in my story – please stop now. She is my hero, has been through enough, and doesnt need any reminders of the past — even if its heartfelt, or you consider yourself a friend, stop…leave her alone! She is not on here and hasnt solicited any conversation, so respect that and dont go looking her up and trying to start a conversation. It’s not appropriate.)
Patrick said
Well, “moving on” is just not an option in my book. It’s a sure sign of indifference, and I am willing to be called just about anything but indifferent. Its the worst thing one could be IMO.
“The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose.” — Frederick Douglass
I have no issues what so ever with the Washington Worker, I mean Post, publishing an article on SGM. Would love to a see a big, multi-page expose in the Washington Post Magazine. The reports can write a very honest piece about SGM and their abuses and it;s time the story got out – Christians around the DC area would read it and then they would know about the dangers of SGM.
I finish the post with a quote:
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs”
– Jesus Christ
Sorry to say, SGM’s leadership style is similar in some ways to the tactics used by pedophiles.
Both do not want victims to talk but if they do, damage control is in order. Both shame their victims into silence by convincing them it is wrong to share what has happened. Both want their own actions to be covered up. Both want people to believe that secrets belong within their own special circle. Both try to convince others that they are really good people at heart so they won’t suspect any problem and so they can continue playing their game. Both put their own interests ahead of that of their victims.
Given that, is it any surprise that SGM continues playing the gossip card?
Is it any surprise that abuse of all kinds is rampant within SGM churches?
This is an interesting article from the WP in 08 about Calvary Temple
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/15/AR2008111502626_pf.html
CONCERNED-
1. I can say we share a concern then for the truth. The truth is still the truth even if some or many choose not to believe it.
2. The public record may be sparse, but its enough information to verify the basics of the case. Thats all your gonna get. The details of the crime are none of your business, and the large file of additional case information, records, and documentation will not be made privy to you. You’ll have to take my word on it.
3. Again, my family members will NOT answer your request for details.
4. If you’re talking about the large “anonymous” donation given to the pastors by someone who was then a church member (now an employee- you maybe?), supposedly intended for us….. I’ve already addressed that. It was used entirely by the pastors for legal matters on Mr A’s behalf. Maybe its YOU who were not informed of that, but should have been. Ask the pastors. If they are being honest, they can tell you this.
Thanks for posting these hints, exCLCer. I was just talking to my mom about her recommendations about talking to a reporter — and yes, I’m a nearly lifelong reader of the Post and have been a subscriber my whole adult life. It’s helpful to remember that one of a reporter’s jobs is to sell newspapers. That said, I thought the article cited earlier about the church in Fairfax was outstanding — as well as a much earlier one about the Mother of God community here in Gaithersburg that started about the same time as CLC/GOB and ran into some similar difficulties. Given my circumstances, I would be more inclined to speak “not for attribution”.
Anne – CLC 1986-2007
Mike Cole,
With all due respect to your personal testimony with SGM to date, your post was so full of the SGM speak that I felt a heavy weight after reading it, it sort of negated the hope that I am sure you intended to instill in your audience here. Are you sure that you are not just being pulled back down under a weight of controlling religious bondage. I just felt it so strong. I grieved.
I think the plethora of opinion about the media here is so good. It is very educational for any INDIVIDUAL to make their OWN decision in going public. NO one should feel controlled/condemned to participate or not participate. Who loves the darkness but those whose deeds are evil!
But there are also many reasons why victims might need to stay in hiding. Reasons we might not be able to know. I am still afraid of my Bible carrying date rapist of 35 years ago! But if another individual is brave enough to go public, I will stand beside her. I know of at least 3 others.
My two cents on the public media getting involved and how that affects the reputation of Christ and the gospel? I think if the reporter would make sure it be known that Christians themselves are trying to clean house it would go a long ways for the gospel.
Look at how the Muslim religion is growing in the U.S. due in part to the more peaceable Muslims condemning their radical fundamentalists for the crimes committed among and by them.
I have found that more non Christians reject our Christianity because of our stupid non gospel tiny issues that we use to judge people over AND the fact that we have a tendency to cover up our crimes. It seems to me from what I am hearing about SGM is that if we would all just cover up our crimes excellently enough that THEN the gospel will not be hindered. Hmmm… That is messed up!
People involved in toxic faith systems play one of five different roles. Do any of these describe you or people you know?
http://thewartburgwatch.com/2010/08/05/role-playing-in-a-toxic-faith-system/
http://thewartburgwatch.com/2010/08/06/more-roles-in-a-toxic-faith-system-enabler-victim-and-outcast/
Kris made a note regarding someone who e-mailed her regarding Mr. A. and the “negative attention” he’s getting even though he’s supposedly been clean for many years. I would like to add to Kris’ comments.
I’ve done a bit of studying about pedophiles and also what repentance looks like (I earlier posted about a pedophile and how Wycliffe Bible Translators dealt with him and his family in a respectful, gracious way). Someone who has knowingly violated a child and feels the full impact of what he has done will feel so much remorse in their heart that they know that they are not even worthy of a relationship with that person anymore. They would also be aware of their weakness and VOLUNTARILY set up boundaries – not only for them, but for the reassurance it shows to others around them that they are taking this seriously and know that it only takes one slip to be back where they were. This is like a recovering alcoholic and their accountability system. A repentant pedophile would not be working around children, PERIOD. Setting up appropriate boundaries is not a temporary thing, it is for life because the propensity to repeat the sex abuse is very high for most abusers.
People in close contact with the abuser who are embarrassed and specifically, the person who recently contacted Kris, really need to get over themselves. They are dealing with pride and do not exhibit concern for the children around them nor the children who have been so horrifically violated. Perhaps they could ask themselves where they were when this was taken place and if they played into any of it by turning a blind eye, ignoring obvious signs, defending the abuser, minimizing the abuse, covering for the abuser, etc. Yes, it is embarrassing. But once the embarrassment is out, it’s done. People will have far more respect once they see the family/acquaintances of the perpetrator holding him accountable, making sure things are continually on the up and up. Recidivism rates among pedophiles are disturbing. One cannot be too careful.
Another aspect that some of these abusers fail to fully comprehend is that sex abuse affects the soul. The abuser puts himself in a position of control over the child. This translates to difficulty with authority figures, trust issues with authority figures, most importantly, trust issues with God. How could God allow this to happen? Did God cause this to happen? Many victims turn away from God. It is absolutely necessary that if the abuser is truly repentant, he will understand the ramifications of the abuse and long-term effects. Some children will never get over it. It is life-changing for the child. To complain about boundaries/accountability/embarrassment issues is really a slap in the face to the victim and only demonstrates that they don’t full understand the abuse and want to fully own up to it. This is not a wipe-the-slate clean issue – as it never is for the victim.
Patricia I like your posting and agree with you.
Earlier I said God is big enough for the fallout of error’s the Post might publicize and later said I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it happen.
I wanted to answer why I can say both of those things. I think we all agree this is a mess. And I think God has shown himself to be comfortable and familiar and patient with all of our messes, as well as with the messy process that is often necessary as we sort through things.
I admit it, I am not always as comfortable with the mess as God is. Yup, weak faith. I can say God is big and can handle it but in my humanness, I don’t always like it. After the basics of my Christian faith, if there is any truth I have learned in the depths of my being is…His ways are not my ways.
I have to agree with many here, good can come from more public pressure on the broken system of sgm.
Lauren #64 – good stuff! :goodpost
Nice to meet you Patti.
God bless. :D
@ ExClcer (post 56) :goodpost :clap I haven’t even read post 57 yet, because this one is so good I HAD to give you a clap!! Yea!!
I have been wondering how long it would be until the media got ahold of this story. I think it could be both good and bad.
Makes me think back to the times when, in my 20’s and unsure of myself, I would sit and wonder if I was in a cult. So glad that the Lord brought me out of it and has made me into a much stronger person, but some of what’s shared on here is ministering to that person I used to be.
Former CLC’er, I’m glad to hear that you are finding comfort for “that person I used to be.” I know what that is like. Our former days and selves are not beyond His reach.
maybe off topic a bit but just got these links fwd to me — heartbreaking. Just goes to show the “power” the book circuit in these circles has in the way our precious children are treated. Heart-wrenching!!!
Ungodly discipline Part I:
<a href="http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhrl8RewhDKJ5Amm2J"
Part II:
<a href="http://www.allthingsandersoncooper.com/" (scroll down to “ungodly discipline part II)
Ugh, so my html skills are seriously lacking….anyway for the first link the video is the first under the recommendations box on that page.
@ Luna Moth and Patricia ~ Amen! I’m with you both on the Washington Post story.
Who’s to say this isn’t a venue God could be using? Just because it looks squinky to some because it’s “secular,” doesn’t mean God can’t use it.
I think back to the 20/20 story just this past April (I think?) on the sexual abuses in the IFB churches. I thought it was a great story, well-balanced and reasonable. It seems like a mistake to dismiss a potential story out of hand just because it doesn’t come in the form everyone might want. As Patricia said, it’s obviously a growing story and it’s not going away.
God will use whatever means he wants to get people’s attention. CJ running and hiding in the warm embrace of Mark Dever, receiving “care” and “counsel” isn’t likely to do it.
Time for a public spanking, I say. Maybe a Washington Post story will be the plastic tube to the a-r-s-e CJ needs?
The guy in video of exCLCer’s link 2 said: “to discipline a child you must cause pain”.
Hmm..I’m not a parent. I’ve only done a lot of baby-sitting and I’ve always been able to “train” my charges not to run into the street, not to go out of my siight at the park, don’t hit your baby brother etc. through rewards and good old fashion distraction.
Hitting a child is the only way? Yikes.
yes michelle – youre so right about that. It was really eerie/sick to hear the guy (pastor- ugh) explain how he would instruct a 7 year old that hitting is wrong and then proceed to “teach” the child that lesson BY (no less) HITTING THEM repeatedly. Wheres the common sense in that?
you guys scream against the pastors for trying to keep the sex abuse from the “secular authorities”(police and courts). Now your screaming about exposing the crimes to the secular press? Doesn’t make sense to me.
Just to let you know, Tim Challies has commented on the situation here: http://www.challies.com/articles/cj-mahaney-and-difficult-days and Brent Detwiller has given what he calls a brief response here: http://www.brentdetwiler.com/brentdetwilercom/2011/8/17/a-brief-response-to-tim-challies.html
New posts up at BrentDetwiler.com and challies.com
Lucy,
“squinky” lol.
Jewel,
Comment #65! :goodpost :goodpost
SO many good comments today!!
To C.J. SGM is an idol, as it is with many within this “church” structure. The MAIN THING for these people is what their “church” looks like to others. It is not about the relationship that our Heavenly Father wants to have with us.
I believe God has given C.J. ample opportunity to face the many issues that have been brought to light, the more he avoids doing what he should the more disastrous the outcome for him will be.
Remember our God is a jealous God and He will destroy idols man puts up that separates us. Exodus “The 10 plagues”.
God gives us ample opportunity to make things right, and he does it because he loves us and wants a right relationship with us.
What does “WTF” represent in this post?
Just curious.
jason
Jason –
The “wtf” you mention is from the comment, not part of the post. My assumption is that it means “what the fahrfegnugen”, but I may be wrong.
Guy – I keep looking for the place to click “like” here, to no avail. You are hilarious! :clap :spin
Cedrick, good post! :goodpost
Regarding Tim Challies, I emailed him about a year ago a most respectful note, to which he never replied. In the email I expressed deep concern with quotes taken from C.J. Mahaney’s sermon The Happiest Place on Earth. I told Tim that I was disturbed by C.J.’s exaltation of SGM pastors to the point of dogmatically asserting that the pastors would be the focus of believers’ celebration on the day they see Christ for the first time.
I also expressed sadness over the many people who have been spiritually hurt under the leadership of SGM pastors. I shared links to blogs where these stories are being told thinking that these situations would concern Tim as well.
Assuming that Tim would immediately see the blasphemy in C.J.’s sermon (since he wrote a book on discernment), I respectfully asked Tim to please approach leaders in the Christian community to let them know of these concerns. My hope was that Christian leaders would hold C.J. accountable in the interest of respect for the Gospel.
Tim Challies has been knowledgeable of the sexual abuse of children within SGM for a long time, and he has been silent about it. Upon reading his announcement today, my respect for Tim has fallen like the Dow. He is well aware of the atrocities that have occurred on C.J.’s watch. He is fully informed regarding C.J.’s blasphemous statements placing pastors on an equal if not higher plane than Christ in the Happiest Place on Earth sermon.
It is now clear that Tim Challies’ primary concern is his own pocketbook, prestige, book sales, and sucking up to those who scratch his back. Tim Challies, one day you will stand before God and have to answer for your neglect of the widows, the abused children and the spiritually harmed. I suspect you will be held accountable for your unfeeling silence.
And for the sake of my Christian brothers and sisters whom I love, I will let them know what you have done to diminish the cause of Christ. In the New Testament, Sir, there are at least 8 people named whom the church is warned to avoid. If your stance on gossip is correct, then the Apostle Paul was the worst offender!
You see there is a big difference between idle gossip and exposing the evil of apostate men milking the church!
Your cover-up of evil and your self-serving attitude make me sick. :barf: I pray you wake up soon from this comfortable slumber you’re in.
I guess I should not be surprised that one of the most prideful “church” leaders, namely C.J. Mahaney, would write a book on humility and one of this most ardent, clueless groupies would write one on discernment. What a farce. What a sad situation.
Brent Detweiler said to Tim Challies,
“What you fail to realize is the pervasive and profound nature of problems in SGM. Hundreds, if not thousands of people have been mishandled and mistreated. You don’t have two anti SGM blogs, Sovereign Grace Survivors and SGM Refuge, because of disagreements between C.J. and me. You really must get educated about the depth and breadth of ungodly practices that have existed in the movement. You haven’t done your homework.”
Brent, I hope you read my post #85. Tim Challies was very well informed regarding the abuse of children along with C.J.’s antics long ago. He was politely asked to intervene, yet he did nothing.
He is sucking up to men he thinks will pull out of this scandalous mess. Tim Challies is not ignorant. He has known all along. Well, thankfully God has the last word.
How dare Tim Challies castigate the widows, the abused children, and others whose spiritual lives have been either damaged or altered through the hierarchical madness of SGM.
I personally think that sharing your story with a newspaper writer is a bad idea.
1. you have to ask why are they interested?
2. Then you have to ask am i really willing to go that
far.
3. Finally be ready for the blowback because you will get
a ton of it.
I Know why we care about this stuff, I just cant figure out why a news paper would?
Patricia, you quoted Brent saying,
Isn’t it wonderful that a founder of SGM seems to understand that now. That was another thing that struck me when I read it on Brent’s blog. I’m hoping for the day when the other leaders of SGM also have that heartfelt realization, if ever.
Guy! I thought I was the only one who knew/used “fahrfegnugen”! :D
Day = made.
Another Joe, the value in exposing a cult or fringe group is to warn others to avoid it. I’m not saying that SGM is as bad as Jonestown was, but if a newspaper had done an expose on that group early on it might have saved a few lives.
In the case of SGM, we’re talking about the spiritual lives of people and the abuse of children. Like it or not, God has ordained human government to hold evil doers accountable whether they are so-called Christians or not.
xyz said, “I’m hoping for the day when the other leaders of SGM also have that heartfelt realization, if ever.”
Stunned said something early on in this mess which resonates.
“Is it integrity to admit things that are now irrefutable public evidence, or would it have been integrity to admit them when they were still in the dark?”
Guy said, “what the fahrfegnugen.”
:Approve: That’s what I’ve always understood “WTF” to mean. :wink:
As far as questions of confidentiality and newspapers, my guess is that the reporter will require you to give him/her your real name….but if you have been a victim of sexual abuse (or the victim would be identifiable because you are related), I don’t think the Post would actually publish your name without express permission. Does that make sense? The reporter needs to have your name to verify facts…but the entire readership of the Post wouldn’t need to know it. Of course, if you talk with a reporter (even if it is to get more info while considering an interview), make sure that this is the right info!
Patricia, a very good point. Unfortunately for the leaders they have indeed waited so long that it’s now impossible to tell whether an apparent change of heart is for real or not, except perhaps by a long period of rebuilding trust. But that’s usually not something the person does while in office. Thanks for pointing that out.
Brent D. wrote “You know faith by works, roots by fruits, and the heart by the mouth.”
Laconic C wrote about cj crying and sobbing —and to mislead and deceive the people by slandering and judging Larry before the congregation which was a deliberate lie— since he knew he had blackmailed him to leave. And the hypocrisy! keeping the sheep quiet and muzzling them for slander and gossip for years.
Talk about perps!
Oh my goodness.
Inviting the secular press is inviting trouble. 20+ years ago my wife and I attended an anti-porn rally, when a news crew shoved a microphone our way and ask me a few questions, I answered. We sat down for the news that night and, in disbelief, watched how they cut n spliced what I had said into a pro-porn position. They are not interested in repentance and restoration, they are interested in tearing down Christianity in any way they can. Think I am paranoid? You bet I am. Let’s let God continue to work the way He has been. What we’ve seen over the last few weeks has been monumental. I mean, c’mon, who would have ever thought that “THOSE EVIL BLOGS” would be addressed by a pastor from CLC?
In the Vienna Presbyterian Church story mentioned above, the Post reporter specifically stated that their policy is not to use the names of victims of sexual abuse in a story unless the victims themselves request that their names be used (which a few did for that particular story). If you’re curious how the Post has handled church stories in the past, that would be a good one to read. As a Christian I felt that it reflected well on rather than poorly on the name of Christ.
Paul, “What we’ve seen over the last few weeks has been monumental. I mean, c’mon, who would have ever thought that “THOSE EVIL BLOGS” would be addressed by a pastor from CLC?”
It’s called damage control in the interest of CYA. Monumental CYA.
I agree with Stunned.
“Is it integrity to admit things that are now irrefutable public evidence, or would it have been integrity to admit them when they were still in the dark?”
@Paul, So, the secular press are only interested in tearing down Christianity any way they can.
What about them exposing the sex abuse that had been hidden for years in the Catholic Church? What about that supposedly mormon guy, Warren Jeffs? What about that christian School that Ronald Reagan visited that didn’t allow interracial dating, then when exposed by the secular press changed? For the Godly good, I might add. You said you are paranoid. I say you have been taught to be paranoid about the “secular world” by conservative churches. A fear tactic of control. Nothing more than what a lot people on this blog are complaining about. I dare watch Fox news and MSNBC.
… yeah, but try saying “fahrfegnugen” three times fast.
:Distort:
Another Joe #87: “…Finally be ready for the blowback because you will get a ton of it.”
Is THIS a threat? Who will the blowback be from? And how dare YOU try to intimidate abuse victims!
If a woman wants to share her horror story to prevent someone else from having one…who has the cajones, Joe??
:cowboyup