tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post5563185382931803083..comments2023-04-15T01:34:35.989-07:00Comments on BGBC Survivors: Two Important Issues for MeJulie Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-87491935266986510292012-07-18T09:03:30.346-07:002012-07-18T09:03:30.346-07:00Julie Anne, I applaud your ability to travel back ...Julie Anne, I applaud your ability to travel back in time and start this blog "to give you the appearance of the victim", that was genius. If I could borrow your time machine at some point, I have some really bad hair decisions in the 1980's I'd like to un-do.<br /><br />Anonymous, you are confusing criminal court cases and civil court cases. One cannot assume in a civil suit that the plaintiff is the victim or the defendant is a perpetrator. Acutally, in criminal court cases the defendant is also not considered a perpetrator until proven guilty....Buffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-68082737356140201492012-07-17T18:38:05.776-07:002012-07-17T18:38:05.776-07:00I stand by my words regarding the FBCJaxWatchdog l...I stand by my words regarding the FBCJaxWatchdog lawsuit.<br /><br />The purpose of this blog is clearly stated on the top-right sidebar:<br /><br /><i>I began this blog in Feb. 2012 after noticing that the Google reviews I had posted of my former church were being removed. Days after the commencement of this blog, I received a legal summons suing me and three others for defamation to the tune of $500,000. The story of spiritual abuse needs to be told. People are being hurt emotionally and spiritually by pastors who use bully tactics and we need a place to learn, to talk freely, and to heal. I will not be silenced.</i>Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-29568614331381083802012-07-17T18:29:02.949-07:002012-07-17T18:29:02.949-07:00Thrilled?
The pastor apologized to Rich and his...Thrilled? <br /><br />The pastor apologized to Rich and his family for calling him a sociopath in public. <br /><br />One of the lawyer deacons called Rich a coward in public. No law suit there...hmmm. Too formidable?<br /><br />Rich picked his battle wisely and relied on 1 Cor 6 to limit his liabilities. After seeing what you are getting I would be a little slow to criticize or report on pastors without thoroughly checking things and the sources of the information. <br /><br /> That is all. No one knows what the settlement was but Watchdog does not write about FBC very much anymore. I expect that the settlement was not all one sided. <br /><br />Just an observation but did you start this blog to give you the appearance of the victim? You are still the defendant, right? Technically, the plaintiff is the victim, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-67471711907741043622012-07-17T14:36:04.078-07:002012-07-17T14:36:04.078-07:00In connection with the issues over reporting of a ...In connection with the issues over reporting of a sexual offender at Beaverton Grace Bible Church, and lack of notification to congregation, etc., I have felt there was providential timing in the release of the Freeh Report on Penn State. The scandal there raised significant awareness of the concepts of prevention of child abuse, legal responsibility to report, accountability and culpability, etc.<br /><br />Both the 267-page report and the 7-page press release are available in PDF form at the official website:<br /><br />http://thefreehreportonpsu.com/<br /><br />Here is one key paragraph from the press release, in the section on "Findings." If you substitute the parallel positions/roles from a church congregation for those of the university, it highlights some of the seriousness of this specific issue for a church. Thus, it appears Judge Fun was exercising judicial diligence in asking for more details at the July 13th court hearing. <br /><br />QUOTE: From 1998–2011, Penn State’s “Tone at the Top” for transparency, compliance, police reporting and child protection was completely wrong, as shown by the inaction and concealment on the part of its most senior leaders, and followed by those at the bottom of the University’s pyramid of power. This is best reflected by the janitors’ decision not to report Sandusky’s horrific 2000 sexual assault of a young boy in the Lasch Building shower. The janitors were afraid of being fired for reporting a powerful football coach.[end quote]brad/futuristguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15744226426932166097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-3545712592867063602012-07-17T13:32:01.622-07:002012-07-17T13:32:01.622-07:00Wow, good point, Craig. It seems that would leave...Wow, good point, Craig. It seems that would leave a dangerous precedent for the abused. I hadn't thought of that aspect before.<br /><br />As far as your first paragraph, you are exactly correct. At the hearing on Friday, my attorney spent a decent amount of time showing the court my blog. She had pages printed out showing the top banner, highlighting the name (BGBC Survivors is obviously a blog of critical spiritual nature), the subtitle of Matt 7:15 which discusses ravenous wolves who are false teachers and devour sheep which is obviously a verse from the Bible. The content is clearly religious in nature. I've read and heard many places that the court will simply not touch that subject. The court is not in the business of settling religious disputes.Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-21640991140433781782012-07-17T13:00:20.928-07:002012-07-17T13:00:20.928-07:00I'm poorly versed in legal matters so please f...I'm poorly versed in legal matters so please forgive the ignorance of my questions. <br /><br />Is our constitutional right to the free exercise of religion relevant in this lawsuit against Julie Anne and the others? A couple of the press reports listed calling the pastor a wolf as an example of something that may be defamation. Since 'wolf' is a Biblical term for false teacher or prophet it seems to me that in order to determine if this is defamation the court would need to first determine what is and what isn't a false teacher. That would involve the state in deciding who is and who isn't qualified to be a pastor. Wouldn't the first amendment prohibit this? <br /><br />Also, church and pastor, according to the news reports, admit there was a sexual offender in the congregation. Doesn't that admission make the question of exposure of minors to this offender a matter of judgment? Because of the Sandusky case I've heard several in the media underline how important it is, in order to protect children, to speak out when there's danger. The threat of a huge lawsuit doesn't exactly encourage speaking out. <br /><br />Why isn't this lawsuit simply thrown out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-89969223819620542062012-07-17T11:27:49.900-07:002012-07-17T11:27:49.900-07:00Absolutely! I heard about the case after searchin...Absolutely! I heard about the case after searching on the internet for church lawsuits when I was sued. I was thrilled to hear of the settlement. <br /><br />This story is documented many places online. Here is one: <a href="http://www.wadeburleson.org/2012/04/let-him-alone-god-hath-bidden-him-to.html" rel="nofollow">FBCJaxWatchdog Lawsuit</a>:Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-8383371303971577062012-07-17T11:22:31.303-07:002012-07-17T11:22:31.303-07:00I wouldn't want to go up against the Watchdog....I wouldn't want to go up against the Watchdog. Are you kidding me? LOLJulie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-4255218743328162902012-07-17T11:07:04.299-07:002012-07-17T11:07:04.299-07:00FBC Jax got a pulpit apology from the pastor invol...FBC Jax got a pulpit apology from the pastor involved and some kind of settlement from him and or the church. So there was some bite!Arcenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-49009824855081265372012-07-17T10:04:51.611-07:002012-07-17T10:04:51.611-07:00She can't very well have an opinion without ge...She can't very well have an opinion without getting approval from her husband and her pastor, right? I guess at least she cut out a little legwork in that her husband is her pastor so she only has to ask one man if her opinion is acceptable......Buffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-50445223154497767952012-07-17T09:23:41.388-07:002012-07-17T09:23:41.388-07:00That certainly is better, The Other Tom. :)That certainly is better, The Other Tom. :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-84636051329139576062012-07-17T09:23:17.976-07:002012-07-17T09:23:17.976-07:00Susan: One of the cool things about Blogger is th...Susan: One of the cool things about Blogger is that I can see referral links to see how people find my blog. Sometimes I follow the links and see what is being discussed. I have entered in some of those conversations. There has been a good bit of discussion about what to do and what not to do. A frequent discussion is how I should not have this blog and how I should not be publicizing any names, etc. I get torn because although I see some of their side, I also see a biblical precedent to call out false teachers. It can be very confusing.Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-34801121222843750132012-07-17T09:19:58.443-07:002012-07-17T09:19:58.443-07:00Maybe they did miss that part.
I can tell you t...Maybe they did miss that part. <br /><br />I can tell you that the interview I did in The Dalles, OR - we stopped half-way on our trip to Portland so they could get their report in time for the 10pm news - is gone. The entire interview is gone. Hmm. . . . . we could have gotten to Portland a half hour earlier without that stop. The only thing I see remaining of that "interview" is a still shot of the most-likely-not-approved top I was wearing :) hahaha (wondering how many of you are going to venture over to the KPTV interview to see my top - top link on right sidebar). Guys, it's tame . . . really. You'll see much more (or less - lol) in line at the grocery store. :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-19015201939850002312012-07-17T09:17:10.521-07:002012-07-17T09:17:10.521-07:00Jerry Sandusky was convicted only weeks ago, and t...Jerry Sandusky was convicted only weeks ago, and this lady thinks Julie Anne (and apparently her female minions? Why was I not invited to be a minion? I'm very disappointed hee hee) is the worst thing in the world? <br /><br />Wow.Buffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-19075131969474701352012-07-17T08:22:04.955-07:002012-07-17T08:22:04.955-07:00I do not think that creepy, controlling, etc. are ...I do not think that creepy, controlling, etc. are defamatory. In particular,in the case at hand, they are either demonstrably true statements about the person so described (controlling) or your opinion (creepy). You can probably sort the others. On the other hand, "vicious" is one of those borderline words. They have to defend that as opinion, as it is not demonstrably true of you or of the others so labelled. But then, what are your damages for that? Absolutely none, because everyone who heard it knows it far more describes the speaker and her husband than it does you.An Attorneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-19566295690971012062012-07-17T07:41:09.315-07:002012-07-17T07:41:09.315-07:00Fbx Jax= little mutt all bark no bite lolFbx Jax= little mutt all bark no bite lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-67009476657205857642012-07-17T06:42:36.732-07:002012-07-17T06:42:36.732-07:00oops, just read this. I'm feeling a little sn...oops, just read this. I'm feeling a little snarky this morning. Maybe I should go back and delete my comments.<br /><br />Thanks, Holly :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-40675191225350684112012-07-17T06:41:18.223-07:002012-07-17T06:41:18.223-07:00Thanks, An Attorney.
I had to look up debt buye...Thanks, An Attorney. <br /><br />I had to look up debt buyers. That was a new one for me. <br /><br />BTW, Is the word "vicious" defamatory? It sure sounds like it's on the same lines of words as: creepy, controlling, etc. hmmm :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-10544125753499453972012-07-17T06:33:08.638-07:002012-07-17T06:33:08.638-07:00Spiritual abuse blog = yup, there really is only...Spiritual abuse blog = yup, there really is only one side on this blog as far as my posts go. I must be a control freak - haha! :) <br /><br />But Brad is right, I moderated and published both of your posts. Another guy, Will, had about 10 comments go through on Sat or Sunday - all criticism. Whatever.Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-6691138035924598872012-07-17T06:20:42.166-07:002012-07-17T06:20:42.166-07:00As Julie Anne indicated at the end of her post, it...As Julie Anne indicated at the end of her post, it seems that many new people are visiting the blog. If they had the opportunity to read the whole thing, they would get where she's coming from. Instead, they seem to be making snap judgments about her--for example, thinking she's had this blog for 3 years.<br /><br />Some days Julie Anne's posts are encouraging. Sometimes they show her personal pain. Sometimes, they reflect anger (though I think it's righteous anger) about the injustices inflicted from certain pulpits. Julie Anne writes from where she is.<br /><br />Spiritual abuse does exist and can cause deep wounds. Julie Anne has created this forum to be a place where it can be discussed and also a place where people can find some salve. I have been reading for a while, and it is neat to see other readers for the most part lifting one another up and encouraging them on--not whining, grumbling, and trying to stir up trouble for trouble's sake. <br /><br />It's been said before, but I have to echo it: Julie Anne continues to show grace. Good for her.Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-28863725024749257992012-07-17T05:47:47.521-07:002012-07-17T05:47:47.521-07:00Anyone with the money to pay an attorney and filin...Anyone with the money to pay an attorney and filing fees can sue anyone else for any thing. There is a risk that the suit will be found frivolous or otherwise contrary to law and the defendant will recover costs, expenses and, at times, damages from the plaintiff. I actually make some of my income by representing people who are falsely or inappropriately sued by debt buyers because we file a counterclaim.<br /><br />In Julie Anne's case, the Oregon Anti-SLAPP statute provides that, if the judge rules that the suit is covered by that statute, the pastor and church can be ordered to pay Julie Anne's legal fees and may have to pay Julie Anne's expenses for having to be in court with her attorney.<br /><br />BTW, as I read the record, the pastor/church has been shunning Julie Anne and her family for four years or so, and saying very nasty and untrue things about her from the pulpit and in publications. It also appears that some victims of the pastor/church and this shunning process have been so treated for more than ten years. So who is obsessed with whom?An Attorneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-62657545788138028642012-07-16T23:14:56.755-07:002012-07-16T23:14:56.755-07:00P.S. It's intriguing that if Ms. Smith is a to...P.S. It's intriguing that if Ms. Smith is a total controller, one could wonder why she ever allows comments such as yours when they are obviously not in her favor ...brad/futuristguyhttp://futuristguy.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-53585543176359885322012-07-16T23:12:35.219-07:002012-07-16T23:12:35.219-07:00I'm not quite understanding this comment eithe...I'm not quite understanding this comment either. Are you suggesting that any online source is fully objective, and typically does more than post their own side? <br /><br />Even the Beaverton Grace Bible Church website surely only posts one side - their side - doesn't it? One wonders if you have tut-tutted them for blatant bias, sir ...brad/futuristguyhttp://futuristguy.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-62668912256790698392012-07-16T23:10:31.474-07:002012-07-16T23:10:31.474-07:00Gordon,
I will be praying for understanding for yo...Gordon,<br />I will be praying for understanding for you. When a church has a mark and avoid list longer than the present membership, they are reaping what they have sown.<br />You have never heard my side, nor the many many others who have been put on the mark and avoid list.<br />Unless you walk one inch in my shoes (or Julie Anne's), I don't believe you have any understanding of what a three and a half year character assassination looks or feels like. <br />Have you attended this church? <br />apparently notMeaghannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-69101832464526662872012-07-16T23:06:06.500-07:002012-07-16T23:06:06.500-07:00Gordon, I'm not sure I understand quite what y...Gordon, I'm not sure I understand quite what you're saying here. Are you suggesting that reading Ms. Smith's blog causes insanity? If so, why ever are you reading it? Although it appears from your comment, sir, that you have absorbed the entire content of the blog in order to make such a sweeping assessment of its apparent impact on blogger and readers.brad/futuristguyhttp://futuristguy.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com