tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post7710896593556569031..comments2023-04-15T01:34:35.989-07:00Comments on BGBC Survivors: Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control TacticsJulie Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-48898685911080491322012-12-07T08:52:13.194-08:002012-12-07T08:52:13.194-08:00Hi Nyssa: The only tools I use are what Blogger p...Hi Nyssa: The only tools I use are what Blogger provides and that's not a whole lot. I had a pastor stalking me on Twitter last week. Oh joy! Life is never boring. Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-6799679935366903632012-12-07T00:29:17.186-08:002012-12-07T00:29:17.186-08:00Yep, I'm being stalked on my blog, too. I wri...Yep, I'm being stalked on my blog, too. I write about my own abusive experiences as a kind of therapy, and, well, the abusers found it. And it is creepy, and scared me into silence at first--but I got over it.<br /><br />Do you use Google Analytics or Statcounter? You could find your "stalkers" that way and keep an eye on them.Nyssa The Hobbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17637244228655409909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-85355105798503187802012-07-17T07:05:02.662-07:002012-07-17T07:05:02.662-07:00Being sued is a real fear for people who have been...Being sued is a real fear for people who have been abused & want to talk about it. I have no doubt that if my former pastor found out I had written something negative about him online, he would sue my family in a heartbeat. Many times in church he preached about people who slander pastors (all the while he bashed many local & nationally known preachers from the pulpit) and said that those people could be sued. Then in another sermon he would say Christians shouldn't sue other Christians. What hypocrisy! It's mind control at it's worst. I am one of those victims who is afraid to mention names for fear of retribution. What can be done? The law protects these dangerous men.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-24958426128142008392012-07-11T12:51:37.945-07:002012-07-11T12:51:37.945-07:00Fascinating history on Friday, the 13th! Wow! Th...Fascinating history on Friday, the 13th! Wow! Thanks so much for sharing, Ostracon, and for your support :)<br /><br />~jaJulie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-49110463008292663962012-07-11T12:36:56.326-07:002012-07-11T12:36:56.326-07:00Julie Anne,
IMO, the intended purpose for any of ...Julie Anne,<br /><br />IMO, the intended purpose for any of the individuals/groups that engage in any of these kinds of activities is to gather and maintain <i>power and control</i>. Those pastors who are less ambitious seek only to control their congregation. Others (like the WBC) wish to extend their Calvinist extremism to the whole nation, by subjugation into Sharia-like dominionist law. And still others (like The Fellowship) are the most ambitious as they have set their sights on controlling the world (by controlling the leaders). They use religion as their vehicle because the "will of God" is beyond reproach and their lust for power has nothing to do with any deity.<br /><br />One other note: In a previous post you noted the hearing date is <i>Friday the 13th</i>, with what read like some trepidation, due to the supposed “bad luck” associated with that date. I see it differently:<br /><br />Lore says that Friday the 13th is unlucky because of the arrests of the Templar Knights on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar#Arrests.2C_charges.2C_and_dissolution" rel="nofollow"> Friday, October 13th, 1307</a> who were subsequently charged with apostasy, fraud, heresy, idolatry and other charges. The charges were trumped up (originally based in accusations by an ousted Templar but were deemed false). In investigating the charges, Pope Clement asked for the assistance of King Philip IV, who owed the Templars large debts because of the war with England. Philip saw it as an opportunity to rid himself of that debt, so ordered the simultaneous arrests of the Templars. Clement absolved the Templars of wrong doing in 1308 (according to the Chinon Parchment). With the threat of military intercession, Philip forced Clement to disband the Templars and to execute the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay and the Preceptor of Normandy, Geoffroi de Charney, who were burned at the stake in 1314. (Interesting side note: de Molay was reported to say through the flames "God knows who is wrong and has sinned. Soon a calamity will occur to those who have condemned us to death." Both Clement and Phillip died that year. [insert creepy music here]) The Catholic church has since denounced the persecution of the Templars as "unjust". <br /><br />I see an ironic parallel here in that a man in power is using judicial means in order to control persons and for financial gain. Chuck is seeking to burn at the stake (metaphorically speaking of course) those that threaten his “reign and realm.” The difference is that in this case, the realm is a small personal fiefdom (and not the entire nation) and there are constitutional protections, including the division of church and state, that were set in place <i>because</i> of the historical abuses of power by both. I believe with every fiber of my being that you will prevail. (Otherwise, the ramifications for this country are more than I want to consider.) I’m hoping this Friday, the 13th becomes a date synonymous with justice for the oppressed.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />~OstraconOstracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-43511573723326847932012-07-11T12:28:22.280-07:002012-07-11T12:28:22.280-07:00[...cont.]
In the case of the WBC, as egregious th...[...cont.]<br />In the case of the WBC, as egregious their spiritual abuse of those outside the church is, the most abused are Fred Phelp's own children (as has been noted in the documentaries and other videos). Nate Phelps remained silent for years as he dealt with his recovery from the abuse, but began speaking out. In several interviews (like the one on <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/nate-phelps-westboro-church-exclusive/story?id=10555603" rel="nofollow">ABC News</a>), Nate describes how he and his siblings were beaten with a barber's strap that had become so frayed it was like a cat-o'-nine-tails of sorts that would lay flesh open, and when they became older the beatings were with a thick ax handle (which they refer to as a "paddle") and on at least one occasion had resulted in his scalp being split open (and WBC members call him a liar, of course). I encourage readers to google Nate Phelps to learn of the ways this brave man is using his recovery in exposing this cult. <br /><br />I simply can not fathom the extent of abuse (and the lasting ramifications of that abuse) this man had to endure (and is still enduring as I'm sure his experiences there have left him with PTSD). To think that he left behind everything he had ever known in his life because he had an innate sense that what his family was doing was <b>wrong</b> and the amount of courage that took, <i>in spite of the indoctrination</i>! Because it's really the strong ones that leave; those are the ones that stand up and say "thus far and no further!" It's easy to stay, to not make waves, to embrace the status quo, because to do otherwise means you have to challenge your own impression of reality (the one the oppressors work so hard to instill). Acting on that means placing yourself in the dangerous situation that they warn you of in their fear-based indoctrination (in order to keep you in line). <br /><br />Like Nate Phelps, I am no longer a believer. I have not told my story on these pages (yet, but I intend to, along with why I chose the "nickname" of Ostracon; more history nerd stuff). But I do believe in the power of positive thought and my thoughts are with Julie Ann and her co-defendants. I believe they will prevail. <br /><br />I agree this will be a landmark decision (a case of <i>real</i> freedom of speech that belongs to <i>corporeal persons</i> only), that will be quoted in caselaw for generations as juxtapose of Citizens United (the [activist] SCOTUS decision that stated money is not just property; it is free speech for CORPersons). When JA&co do prevail, my wonder is if the pastor will 'double-down' and appeal. In the off chance that JA&co do not prevail, my hope is that she/they will appeal and take it to the SCOTUS if necessary, not only for the future of our 1st Amendment rights but to place another brick in the wall separating church and state (for the preservation of both). I admire their courage!Ostracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-20028327738741817642012-07-11T12:19:24.794-07:002012-07-11T12:19:24.794-07:00[...continued]
It has been my experience that the ...[...continued]<br />It has been my experience that the problem with any kind of abuse, including spiritual abuse, is that it will eventually escalate to other types of abuse. In Julie Anne & company’s case, spiritual abuse has escalated into <i><b>judicial</b></i> abuse (and the mental abuse that brings with it). Other escalations can be much worse. Take for example a former member of the Fundamentalist LDS church in Colorado City, AZ who has been critical of the FLDS church. Not only have the members of the FLDS church been spiritually abusive to him, it has now escalated to <i><b>animal abuse</b></i> as he has had many dead animals dropped on his property over the years, and the most recent "message" was a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/cat-buried-in-concrete-colorado-city-az_n_1660320.html" rel="nofollow">kitten that was buried alive in concrete in a large metal pipe and left to suffer</a> (warning: graphic content). Animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that this will escalate into someone being injured or killed if something isn’t done to stop it. But the Sheriff laughed it off (making a crack that he would have just covered the kitten in dirt - what a [expletive deleted]), and is probably aware of who is doing this as he is also a member of the FLDS church. According to the victim, the whole FLDS community of Colorado City is discriminating against and targeting non-FLDS. [cont....]Ostracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-66741058965452157572012-07-11T12:12:57.524-07:002012-07-11T12:12:57.524-07:00Not a Rebel,
Yes, I do keep up with current event...Not a Rebel,<br /><br />Yes, I do keep up with current events. I’m a news junkie. That is how I found Julie Anne’s blog, from a story on Huffington Post. When I came here, I read all the back posts and commented on some of them. (And no offense taken. ;)<br /><br />I’m also a late-blooming history buff. I didn’t enjoy history in school; in fact it was my least favorite subject (probably because I’ve always had trouble remembering names and dates, which isn’t conducive to learning history based on rote memorization). I guess you have to have some of your own history under your belt to appreciate the history of your country, or the world. But then again, the sanitized version of history we are taught as children has been fluffy-bunny and whimsy. I don’t remember who said it or when (there’s that memory thing again) but it is something along the lines of ‘history is the lie we all agree on’ and ‘those that win the wars write the history.’ <br /><br />I agree that most people get their limited exposure to history through entertainment. My husband, who spent over 40 years in the entertainment industry (starting at the age of 14 in radio, then moving into writing, film, animation and Internet) and is a <b>huge</b> history/archeology geek can point to any number of instances where <i>creative license</i> was used when the real history didn’t <i>work</i> on film. There is also the problem of those who try to re-write history to fit their agenda (same as reinterpreting the bible to fit). <br /><br />One of my drill instructors in boot camp had a saying that he used to teach us that we must be diligent in keeping our weapons (and other equipment) clean and well maintained: <b>Rust never sleeps.</b> That is something I continue to use in all manners of life. Corrosive forces are everywhere and the best way to combat those corrosive forces is to know when, where and how they attack, then addressing the problem before their corruption becomes irreparable. Ignoring the problem (like those who advise JA to do when they say to take down the blog) doesn’t make it go away. On the contrary. The abuse will continue... and it will only get worse. [continued...]Ostracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-56848721737615135582012-07-09T14:00:46.178-07:002012-07-09T14:00:46.178-07:00Thanks for your understanding :)Thanks for your understanding :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-67336965795350551552012-07-09T07:39:36.327-07:002012-07-09T07:39:36.327-07:00Thanks for informing me. No offense taken. Heave...Thanks for informing me. No offense taken. Heaven knows you don't need any extra hassles. You do whatever you need to.<br /><br />Grace and peace to you this week.Serving in Japannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-84916591103694751012012-07-08T21:07:58.440-07:002012-07-08T21:07:58.440-07:00Ostracon C.E. - Nice to "see" you again...Ostracon C.E. - Nice to "see" you again. You sure have brought up some very complex groups. I can't even fathom the depth of some of their activity and understand their intended purpose. It boggles my brain. We live in very confused times!Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-27326786643034230532012-07-08T16:39:19.257-07:002012-07-08T16:39:19.257-07:00Ostracon C.E.,
What you write in your two posts i...Ostracon C.E.,<br /><br />What you write in your two posts is not "new news" for me. Once it had my interest, but I think Fred Phelps and his lawyer daughter and "odd" activities trying to prevent families from grieving the loss of their family members who gave their lives in the military conflicts by blaming the whole thing on "sin" in America and running around with their signs, filled with hate and defamatory language have shown most effectively where there hearts are. It would be terrible if they thought they were going to get a heavenly reward for what they have been doing and instead when they present themselves before Jesus, hear Him say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you." <br /><br />As for the Family and all their connections in D.C. I read about much of that around the tine of the last election. If I remember correctly, some politician had lived at "C" street but I'm not interested enough in that to spend time searching for the name and if there was a marital scandal or cover-up.<br /><br />It sounds like you may have posted here before. I'm relatively new and I appreciate the free speech here. But I'm much less fearful of politicians in D.C. right now than I am about what is happening to sheep in some Christian circles. Have you read the posts on Spiritual Abuse? My heart breaks for people like Julie Anne and her friends who have a lawsuit against them that is bearing down on them - and people on the blog have been praying for them. That is what's on my heart.<br /><br />I can see real people - home school moms with children and loving families who need our prayers right now. I don't know how Julie Anne and the others can have such gracious spirits when they've been up against not only having to each pay for defense attorneys, but have also had "drive-by hits" from Christians who tell them "just take the blog down and move on". This is the issue I am most appalled at. <br /><br />I don't know of a time in American history when men of the cloth sued women. Maybe there was some of that in the Salem Witch Trials. I read that in college so long ago and I think Arthur Miller wrote a play. But too many people don't read enough history. They depend on movies and entertainment for any historical knowledge they have, and often that is not the whole story, as you probably know. I'm glad you are staying well informed on history. History is one thing I wish I had studied more. <br /><br />Thanks for posting. Please support these ladies in their "hour of trial" coming up this Friday, July 13, 2012. This could be a precedent-setting free speech case - it looks like the media is very interested in the outcome. There are some links to articles that have appeared in several news sources listed under Media Interviews in the right hand column of this blog if you haven't already seen them. But it looks like you are a well-informed person, Ostracon, so you already have most likely read through all that material. I'm sorry for even suggesting it, but will leave this written the way it sits as I have some things I need to do and perhaps others will benefit from being reminded of the links documenting the stories on this riveting free speech lawsuit. No offense intended - I hope you understand. I can see you are interested in figuring things out. I am too. Regards, Not a Rebel P.S. I chose the name Not a Rebel not because I'm a "peacenik" and don't believe in fighting for freedom, but because someone had accused these women of being "rebels". That kind of got the hair on the back of my neck standing up, kinda like seeing those "creepy" Fred Phelps signs.Not a Rebelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-21322368083340381552012-07-08T14:21:35.375-07:002012-07-08T14:21:35.375-07:00As overt as the WBC is with their tactics, imagine...As <i>overt</i> as the WBC is with their tactics, imagine if you will a <i>covert</i> church influencing politicians and other men in positions of power. This "church" is referred to as <b>The Family</b>, or <b>The Fellowship</b>. <br /><br />The founder was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Vereide" rel="nofollow">Abraham Vereide</a> who started the annual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prayer_Breakfast" rel="nofollow">National Prayer Breakfasts</a> that have been attended by every President since Eisenhower. <br /><br />The journalist, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Sharlet" rel="nofollow">Jeff Sharlet</a>, wrote an article for Harper's Magazine entitled <a href="http://harpers.org/archive/2003/03/0079525" rel="nofollow">Jesus plus nothing:<br />Undercover among America's secret theocrats</a>, published in March 2003. In interviews after the publication of his article (like the one at <a href="www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106115324" rel="nofollow">NPR</a>), Sharlet revealed that the Harper's editor made him take out portions because the discoveries were so outlandish, the fear was readers simply would not believe it. Sharlet then wrote a book about it entitled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family:_The_Secret_Fundamentalism_at_the_Heart_of_American_Power" rel="nofollow">The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power (2008)</a>. <br /><br />The FellowshipThe patriarch of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_%28Christian_political_organization%29" rel="nofollow">The Fellowship</a> is <a href="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Coe" rel="nofollow">Doug Coe</a> and his son David Coe is in charge of the young men's group. Among their compounds are Ivanwald and the <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106115324" rel="nofollow">C-street house in Washington DC</a> where congressmen like John Ensign have resided. <br /><br />Their philosophy is that they are the "chosen" and as such, can do <i>anything</i>. The most disturbing thing I read about their "philosophy" is a question that was asked of a member of the young mens group by David Coe "Beau, let's say I hear you raped three little girls. And now here you are at Ivanwald. What would I think of you, Beau?”<br /><br />Beau replied, “Probably that I'm pretty bad?”<br /><br />“No, Beau. I wouldn't. Because I'm not here to judge you. That's not my job. I'm here for only one thing. ... If you're a person known to be around Jesus, you can go and do anything. And that's who you guys are. When you leave here, you're not only going to know the value of Jesus, you're going to know the people who rule the world. ... Talk to the people who rule the world, and help them obey. Obey Him. ... We become a warning. We warn everybody that the future king is coming. Not just of this country or that, but of the world.” <br /><br />Some of the followers of Doug Coe are the Clintons (especially Hillary), Al Gore (who <a href="http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/cspanjunkie/theyve-been-cooking-science-long-time" rel="nofollow">invoked Coe's name</a> in testimony before the House Energy Committee in response to James Inhofe, another member of the Family, suggesting Coe act as a mediator), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(Christian_political_organization)#Current_and_former_members" rel="nofollow">among others</a>.Ostracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-19757757420952038442012-07-08T14:19:29.991-07:002012-07-08T14:19:29.991-07:00Julie Anne,
[I'm just now catching up after m...Julie Anne,<br /><br />[I'm just now catching up after moving (whew!) so please forgive the delayed comment on earlier posts.]<br /><br />The title of this post, <b>Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control Tactics</b>, brought to mind one of the most "creepy" of all "churches" (made up almost entirely of one family) I've been made aware of in my lifetime: the now infamous WBC. <br /><br />I don't know if you have seen the documentaries about it done by Louis Theroux of the BBC. I thought it apropos to include them under this post.<br /><br />The first was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT12X-8ZQT8&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLEA6A23B9121F8A71" rel="nofollow">The Most Hated Family in America (2007)</a> with a follow-up doc <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF1oAsgzchA" rel="nofollow">America's Most Hated Family in Crisis (2011)</a>.<br /><br />The most compelling message this alleged "church" spreads is <i><b>hate</b></i>. In the follow-up documentary, Theroux interviews former members of the "church" who were put out for their "rebellion", and the reaction of the family members.Ostracon C.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00990563455247754843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-29033098041988431262012-07-08T07:29:41.279-07:002012-07-08T07:29:41.279-07:00Serving in Japan: I was advised to be very carefu...Serving in Japan: I was advised to be very careful when discussing that other "church" and decided to remove references to it in this post - which is why I did not approve your post. I also spent a couple hours researching and agree with that advice given me. You are absolutely right in your comment - there is no comparison. If you have questions, feel free to contact me: bgbcsurvivors@ gmail dot comJulie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-84988753786452649962012-07-06T15:07:05.738-07:002012-07-06T15:07:05.738-07:00Shouldn't that read "Uh, gossip, uh, uh.&...Shouldn't that read "Uh, gossip, uh, uh."?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-35218783552023299622012-07-06T13:03:34.572-07:002012-07-06T13:03:34.572-07:00@ Arce 10:36 AM
I've been thinking about the ...@ Arce 10:36 AM<br /><br />I've been thinking about the same thing. Julie Anne probably is getting enough stories via email along with this blog to write a book.<br /><br />I like the simple title "Ungracious Churches" but leave off the BGBC name. There are plenty of other churches where Spiritual Abuse occurs. It is not limited to this one church.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents worth....Churchian_Notnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-68690758265636510902012-07-06T12:44:02.294-07:002012-07-06T12:44:02.294-07:00Told my husband about Craig's survey. He knows...Told my husband about Craig's survey. He knows men get hit with spiritual abuse too. We've been through this together.<br />Spiritual abuse is equally painful for men and women.<br /><br />(Women do talk more - every one of the marriage seminars we went to showed the same diagram of a funnel placed the usual way for men who "whittle things down to understandable bites of info" and the "upside down funnel" for women, who tend to "expand their words" or "bloviate". Aren't there even jokes about women "continually blabbing"? You know, like they did on "I Love Lucy" - LOL!<br /><br />Time for me to step aside and let men step up to comment! (I'd rather be knitting. Out walking. Way more relaxing.)Not a Rebelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-15623432666392394832012-07-06T12:17:00.967-07:002012-07-06T12:17:00.967-07:00Oh, that makes sense - you were asking about publi...Oh, that makes sense - you were asking about publishing HIS comments. Gotcha. I'm sorry, I just had to tease a little :)<br /><br />You're right - someone else did mention Rev. BTW, I think YOU don't miss a thing. <br /><br />I just put up a new post and you will be experience two senses from my walk this morning: sight (a picture) and sound! Phones these days are amazing - first time uploading a sound byte. Fun!Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-45123850378820464392012-07-06T12:02:47.224-07:002012-07-06T12:02:47.224-07:00Julie Anne,
LOL - I guess I actually did ask my ...Julie Anne, <br /><br />LOL - I guess I actually did ask my husband if it was OK to post his private comments to me yesterday when we talked about "child-like faith", but I think it would have been OK with him anyway. Because we love and trust each other. He's read your blog too and thinks it's good to talk about this.<br /><br />"My bad" on Fred Butler - I missed that fact. Sorry about that! I thought I saw someone refer to him as the Rev. Fred Butler and I know he has 3 blogs and one is a Theology blog and he graduated from Master's Seminary so I STAND CORRECTED! Thanks, J.A.! You don't miss a thing!<br /><br />Trying to "Move On", but there are many friends who need some prayers and we don't want to RUN and HIDE! <br /><br />It's not as nice here as in your area of the country, so we may have to go to the health club to walk on the track and swim in the pool later. Hope you had a relaxing walk :)Not a Rebelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-59799460791545684782012-07-06T11:57:35.890-07:002012-07-06T11:57:35.890-07:00I would concur with your observations, Craig. I t...I would concur with your observations, Craig. I think it is pretty well divided among the sexes. <br /><br />With regard to posting styles, I notice that men are more shall I say "compact" in their comments and cut to the chase more quickly, in general, and women may post more or have longer comments. <br /><br />I know if my husband were to write a summary paragraph and compare it with mine, there would be obvious differences. His would be factual, logical, clear and concise (he's an engineer, btw). Mine would be twice as long and you'd be feelin' where I'm coming from :)Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-79368936590517509842012-07-06T10:12:02.698-07:002012-07-06T10:12:02.698-07:00In response to the claim that survivor blogs are d...In response to the claim that survivor blogs are dominated by women, let me suggest two observations. First, I did a very informal survey of a few of these blogs as well as the comment threads on this one. I don't find an overwhelming majority of women. I find a majority, though not conclusively because some of the names could go either way. Of five blogs I looked at two were started by men, three by women. Second, because of the power structure of conservative churches women (and children) are more likely to be abused than men. Perhaps that's part of what Peter means when he writes of weaker vessels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-5243059788588166252012-07-06T09:46:48.258-07:002012-07-06T09:46:48.258-07:00Creepy, nothing. How about illegal? I was in a chu...Creepy, nothing. How about illegal? I was in a church one time where a couple went to the pastor and his wife for marriage counseling. The wife was told to "cleave to" her husband more, whatever that means. The husband was told to secretly record his wife's phone conversations with her friends. When it all hit the fan, guess who got in legal trouble?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-80786325855644661252012-07-06T08:19:58.931-07:002012-07-06T08:19:58.931-07:00JA's random thoughts:
I wouldn't venture ...JA's random thoughts:<br /><br />I wouldn't venture a guess to say whether the "gossip" commenter was a man or woman. I can picture both male or female saying something like that from the church. <br /><br />FTR, Fred has mentioned that he is not a pastor (it's hard to keep up with comments, I know!). He is on staff at GCC and per one of his comments here, teaches a bible class from time to time.<br /><br />Monax asked: <i>But honestly, I don’t know the church. Were the woman at said church as overbearing?</i><br /><br />The women could be very strong - especially if they were part of the inner circle. Good question. <br /><br />Not a Rebel: Did you ask your husband permission to post here? haha<br /><br />I'm wondering if "Such a Bore" commenter is also "gossip" commenter? Anyway, I'm glad they are here, they bring good discussion and it's funny how my brain takes off with the latest random "gossip" comment and creates a plan for a post and then I see some of you are tracking with me with your comments- ha! Love it. I'm going to go for a walk before it gets too hot and will hopefully get something new posted soon.Julie Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03125322661578802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861198333046479177.post-11098923960289557382012-07-06T07:24:30.872-07:002012-07-06T07:24:30.872-07:00Monax,
Yes, there were a few women at "forme...Monax,<br /><br />Yes, there were a few women at "former church" who were as overbearing. Women can be very aggressive at the top levels of "women's ministry". Women in other "leadership positions" can also act "creepy" in private and some "throw digs" at other women. Even women not in leadership can attempt to be "domineering" and "kick friends to the curb" if they don't agree with their views on "what should be taught in home school" or "what should be censored". (Ask a woman whose kids go to public school.) It's not only men who try to "reign and rule". <br /><br />I appreciate this blog and Julie Anne's commitment to not "censor" even "CREEPY" Anonymous posts. It's all "out in the open" and hearts are being REVEALED. (check out Simeon, one of my favorite men in the Bible, as he prophesies over Jesus when He is 8 days old in Luke 2:34,35 and also what Jesus said in Matt 12:34; Matt 15:18; and Luke 6:45.)<br /><br />But after seeing another anonymous over night post here earlier this morning, I agree this must be an immature male:<br /><br />The “CREEPY” reference to "Gossip" may be trying to invoke a "DO NOT GOSSIP" rule - which is how SOME church leaders manage to keep things "HIDDEN". (Virtually the same as the "NO TALK RULE", but verses about "gossip" are used to silence women. Women are usually easier to intimidate and most fear breaking the "DO NOT GOSSIP" rule issued by male leaders.) <br /><br />FWIW, I have never heard a woman issue the "NO TALK RULE". Or a"DO NOT GOSSIP" edict. Probably because those come from the pulpit and women have not been in that position. But every time the "DO NOT GOSSIP RULE" is issued, I think it provokes curiosity and people silently ask "WHY"? but don't dare ask the question out loud. ("curiosity" can lead to "speculation" which is often worse than telling the TRUTH).<br /><br />At a previous [non-Reformed] church in another city, the NO GOSSIP rule was usually a "clue" that someone had sinned - when it “all came out" after all attempts at reconciliation had failed, it was most often a divorce or a sexual sin. Once it was sin of a missionary who had committed adultery. Even after Biblical counseling, 2 men chose to continue in their sin. Both men had graduated from seminary. Both marriages ended in divorce. Both men are with others, while both women remain single and have "moved on" to other churches to heal. At least one of the men is still a pastor, but in a different state. When I think of what these women and children have been through it is almost unimagineable. Yet they are still in churches and work to support children two men “left behind” to pursue other “interests”. It seriously offended me when the Rev. Fred Butler called women out for “whining about spiritual abuse”. I think Jesus weeps along with these women and helps to dry their tears and provides for their children.Not a Rebelnoreply@blogger.com