Our First Year Anniversary

Today marks the one year anniversary of the blog section of the spiritual abuse website. When it first started, I had no idea how it might go or if we’d have enough people writing for it to last. While there have only been a few posts for this month, overall we have had regular posts since our inception- a total of 464 (including this one) and 415 comments. A huge thank you goes out to all our authors and readers for making this possible.

There are so many aspects to spiritual abuse and while our experiences in unhealthy churches are similar, we also have differences. Likewise, while we all go through similar things during healing and recovery, we also experience some differences. This is one reason why various voices are needed when writing about the myriad of issues. In addition, while some may be drawn to my writing style, others will be drawn to ones who write in a different manner. We can all say the same thing, in our own way, and your words will resonate more with some and mine with others.

Some hesitate to write because they feel they are not good with words or they don’t consider themselves to be a writer. Please don’t let such thoughts hinder you from giving it a try. You could be the one who shares a thought or experience that may be just what another person needs that day. It isn’t about writing eloquently, using university level vocabulary, or being a grammar expert. It is about sharing what you have experienced, how you left and how you are healing, in order to educate and help others who have been involved in a spiritually abusive church.

I have been busy and have not written as many blog posts recently and to be truthful, I cannot do this all myself. We need many voices, from all types of unhealthy churches, in order to help the greater audience. We need articles that cover a wide spectrum of issues and could even use some brief thoughts of encouragement for the day or humorous types of posts. We don’t place any requirements on the number or frequency of blogs you would write. If you wish to do so every day or once a month, it is all good.

How did you become involved in the unhealthy church? When did you realize it was abusive? How long did it take you to leave and how did you proceed? Where are you in your recovery? What has helped or not helped you in healing? Do you experience triggers and is there anything you find that helps with them? If you were not able to read the Bible after leaving but are now able, what can you share that might be helpful to others? Did you have relationship issues while involved or after leaving? What issues have you struggled with or overcome and how did you do so? I could write for hours about all the possible issues that would be helpful to others – it is seemingly endless. You have a story to tell and words of wisdom to share if you have exited an unhealthy group.

Please consider registering to add your voice to ours by using the register link listed under the ‘meta’ section. You will be contacted by an automatic email and then by me. Be sure to choose a username (no spaces or length user names) that cannot be traced to you if you wish to blog anonymously. Blog posts should somehow pertain to spiritual abuse, your experiences, unhealthy church practices and their erroneous teachings.

This is a Christian based website. That doesn’t mean non-Christians cannot blog here. We just ask that you do not promote other religions, atheism or agnosticism.

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Top May Posts

In May 2017, the blog section of the spiritual abuse website had 8824 visits, with 4258 being unique.

We are always looking for new people to join our group of bloggers, so please register and watch your email for more information. You are under no obligation to make a certain number of posts. Commenting directly on the blog is an encouragement to our authors as they often cannot see all the places where these are shared and discussed on social media.

Below are the top ten read posts for May, excluding our giveaways. Thanks so much to all our readers and authors!

Answer these 25 questions to find out if you are in a cult or high control group – author Faith After Deception. (accessed 1260 times)

A Conversation with a Pastor, Part 2 – author Through Grace. (accessed 489 times)

An Email From A United Pentecostal Minister – author Lois. (accessed 441 times)

Getting Out the Old Books: Joy Haney – author Lynne. (accessed 306 times)

A Closer Look at Deuteronomy 22:5 – author Nana5.

Dressing Modestly or To Impress? – author Nana5.

Memories: Taking vacation in an abusive church – author Through Grace.

Marriage Trouble Part 1 – author GFMom.

A conversation with a pastor – author Through Grace.

Kicked Out on Mother’s Day – author GFMom.

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An Email From A United Pentecostal Minister

It is rare that I get negative emails in response to my website. I believe a main reason why I do not is because I try to take care in how I present my writings, do not write with venom, and give plenty of links to UPC and Apostolic material. In fact, present Oneness Pentecostals have at times written articles that they have allowed me to present on the website and even asked me to add an article or video of theirs to the site. Every so often a negative email arrives and one came on Monday from a man who I believe is an ordained minister in the United Pentecostal Church.

But operating a website on spiritual abuse, which has the United Pentecostal Church as its secondary focus, causes some people to hate and pray against me and envision in their minds all manner of negative things about me. It just comes with the territory. I am not intimidated by a minister (or anyone else) and the things which might work in their churches with members (to place fear into them or cause them to get in line or be quiet about something), no longer works on me.

I believe this is the Glenn T. Howard, Jr. who wrote this email. It would appear that this is the article on the website that he read and references. It is the only one I have written that includes a section on David Bernard and I mention nothing personal about him, nor do I “demean his ministry” or consider him a “phony.” I am sharing Howard’s email in its entirety and wish to use it as an example of what happens when a person brings up a problem in an unhealthy church or group. In fact, I have a section about it in the article mentioned. Last year in one of my blog posts, I wrote, “The pastor, who is insecure and feels threatened, decides that there really isn’t anything wrong, that it is simply YOU. You are rebellious, a trouble maker, trying to stir up strife or division, you are unteachable, backslid…. There are a number of possible reasons why YOU have become the problem.”

The above is exactly what this man does in his email. Instead of addressing the elephant in the room, he attempts to place the focus on me. Perhaps I am one of those atheists, trying to “magnify my own ego” since he claims to not know of my beliefs, even though they are clearly posted on the website along with my UPC background. The reasons for the website are also plainly shared. Both sections of the website have been available for many years.

In addition, he was reading the article more than two years after it was originally posted. He missed all of the then transpiring online talk and some false information and misunderstandings that were spread. That is part of the reason for the “volume of minutae” it contains as it was edited on an almost daily basis at the time. There were several different issues that came into play.

In addition, if I didn’t share things to back what I was writing, my claims would be called into question and dismissed. Clarifications were being made, UPC related material disappeared from online, and incorrect information was continuing to be shared by UPC ministers and members of the organization. Many had questions about what was happening and I did my best to find answers and pull it all together. It started mainly as an article on Lee Stoneking and his speech at the United Nations and then also grew into a focus on UPC minister Art Wilson and his ministry there, along with conflicting reports and statistics given by various licensed UPC ministers.

Consider what Glenn T. Howard, Jr. does and does not do in this email. He never addresses any of the problems or conflicting statements mentioned in the article, but focuses on me and my motives. He makes me the problem. Note how that the only possible motivations he considered for me were all negative. Bad, bad, Lois! How dare I write any article on Lee Stoneking or mention inconsistencies or untruths. Though some were giving false information and distorting what happened, I am the problem and my motives must be considered wrong.

He doesn’t address things that have been shared by UPC ministers that have been proven to be untrue. Is it OK for them to give false information or claims and should they never be called out for such things? Why is calling them out on these things considered to be demeaning them? I didn’t say or write them; they did. Yet I am compared with an atheist having a wrong motivation simply because I wrote about these things.

Is sweeping it all under the rug what should be done; should the elephant in the room never be acknowledged or mentioned? Is it only doctrine that should be discussed? If a minister tells an untrue story or misrepresents facts, should such things be allowed or ignored because they have a “ministry?” Why is it that when such things are pointed out, the one doing so gets accused of saying or thinking things about people which they never did? At least in this communication I wasn’t threatened with hell.

Here the email in its entirety:

Having reviewed your lengthy blog concerning Lee Stoneking/David Bernard/UPCI in general, I must confess that while disagreement on a number of issues embraced by the UPCI et al is not uncommon, I fail to see why such a volume of minutae is a deemed necessary to disprove that with which we disagree.

In the long run, what difference does it make? Are your writings designed to be a kind of rescue operation to get people out of the clutches of a major Pentecostal “cult”? I note too, that for some reason many atheists feel this deep seated need to broadcast their opposition to God in general and Christianity in particular, even to the point of intense ridicule. Surely there can be no doubt that their motivation, when the layers are peeled back, is to magnify their own ego. It gives them great pleasure to do those things that, in their mind, makes them feel they are “winning”.

Which makes me wonder- what is really your own motivation in producing the (evidently) highly researched material that shows up on your blog? Are you on some kind of crusade that somehow gives you a sense of worth?

If the Bible is true, and if the apostles of Jesus preached the truth of God, and if we find that truth in the book of Acts in the history of the establishment of the early church, and if that truth consists of the necessity of repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, and if a great number of people have embraced their doctrine and have given their lives to God, what is the big issue? What possible good can be derived from denigrating the ministries of Stoneking, Bernard et al? By “exposing” them for the phonies you apparently believe they are- what does this accomplish?

It is one thing to take issue because of doctrinal disagreement. There is a time and place to dispute error, of that there is no doubt, and some good can indeed come from it. But to demean the ministries of the men such as you have named, with such intensity… where do you hope to go with all that?

When all was said and done and you pressed that ENTER key for the last time, and sent your missive out into the ether did you feel a certain satisfaction that said “So there!” or “Take that!” ? And is this something that you plan to continue doing? Not knowing, of course, what your position is on issues, or whether or not you even believe in the truth of the Bible, and even if you do, I can’t help but wonder, doesn’t life hold more for you? I mean really, doesn’t it?

Glenn T Howard, Jr.

Since I have been operating the website since 1997, I think it is clear that I plan on continuing. In fact, I already have two people who have agreed to take the reigns whenever I am no longer able to do so.

I leave you with a quote to consider from The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen:

The most powerful of all unspoken rules in the abusive system is what we have already termed the ‘can’t talk’ rule. The ‘can’t talk’ has this thinking behind it: ‘The real problem cannot be exposed because then it would have to be dealt with and things would have to change; so it must be protected behind walls of silence (neglect) or by assault (legalistic attack). If you speak about the problem out loud, you are the problem. In some way you must be silenced or eliminated.’ Those who do speak out are often told, ‘We didn’t have all these problems until you started shooting your mouth off. Everything was fine before you started stirring things up.’ Or else, to make it sound really spiritual, ‘You were angry- you didn’t confront the matter in a ‘loving’ way. So it proves you weren’t handling the matter in a mature, Christian manner.’ In either case, the problem remains.

The truth is, when people talk about problems out loud they don’t cause them, they simply expose them.

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Christianity Without the Cross Giveaway

This is only open to those with a USA mailing address. (Unfortunately, it is cost prohibitive to mail books outside of the USA. Canadians with a USA mailing address are welcome to enter.)

We have given away books for years as part of the spiritualabuse.org ministry. This is your chance to receive a used copy of Christianity Without the Cross by Thomas Fudge. This has been a sought after book for many but the cost has often prohibited people from obtaining a copy. This book covers Oneness Pentecostal history, and highlights the United Pentecostal Church, of which Mr. Fudge was once a member. You will discover things that most ministers in the group do not openly share and some do not know. The first link will take you to Amazon where you may read more information. We have three copies to give away. One has some minor highlighting.

To read an article by Mr. Fudge about why he wrote the book. go here.

This giveaway is a little different as it is a drawing and not a first come, first served giveaway. To enter, just leave a comment on this post to show you wish to be included. The drawing will close on May 25 at 6pm (eastern time), after which I will draw three winners. You will then need to email me your mailing address if I do not already have it. There is absolutely no cost to enter.

Don’t be alarmed if your comment does not immediately show as comments require approval when you are commenting for the first time.

We always provide these at no charge to our readers. In our large giveaway from this week, just under $58 has been spent so far in postage alone. The cost for this giveaway was $41.32 for the three books and $9.36 for postage. That does not include mailing supplies.

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Second Book Giveaway of 2017

This giveaway is now closed.

We have given away books for years as part of the spiritualabuse.org ministry and this will be our second large one via this blog for 2017. This is your chance to receive one or more free books on various issues. After making your request, be sure to respond to my email requesting your mailing address if I do not already have it. The last giveaway we had someone request books but never responded. This keeps material from others.

The first people with a USA mailing address who respond will receive their choice of books at no charge to them. (Unfortunately, it is cost prohibitive to mail these books outside of the USA. Canadians with a USA mailing address are welcome to request books.) To respond, just leave a comment for this post. If you are unsure what any book is about, the links will take you to Amazon where you may read their description and reviews.

Up for grabs are several used books and DVDs.

  1. Four paperback copies of Codependent No More by Melody Beattie. (One has some highlighting.) TWO TAKEN
  2. One paperback copy of Love Is A Choice: Recovery for Codependent Relationships by Hemfelt, Minirth & Meier. (Has some underlining.) TAKEN
  3. Two hardback copies of Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend. (One has some markings.) ONE TAKEN
  4. One paperback copy of Cults In Our Midst by Margaret Singer. (Has highlighting.) TAKEN
  5. One CD MP3 NIV Audio New Testament Dramatized by Faith Comes By Hearing.
  6. One hardback copy of The Church Awakening by Charles Swindoll.
  7. One hardback copy of The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. TAKEN
  8. One paperback copy of The Unauthorized Guide To Choosing a Church by Carmen Renee Berry.
  9. One paperback copy of Testament The Bible Odyssey.
  10. One hardback copy of Overcomers Outreach A Bridge To Recovery by Bob & Pauline Bartosch. TAKEN
  11. One hardback copy of Naves Topical Bible. TAKEN
  12. Two hardback copies of Authority Abusers by G.G. Bloomer. TAKEN
  13. One hardback copy of Holy Bible New Revised Standard Version.
  14. One paperback copy of The Kingdom Of The Cults Limited Edition by Walter Martin. TAKEN
  15. One paperback copy of Since Nobody’s Perfect…How Good Is Good Enough by Any Stanley. TAKEN
  16. Two paperback copies of Neo-Phariseeism by David Wasmundt (former UPC minister) TAKEN
  17. One paperback copy of the 2009 United Pentecostal Church Manual. (only sold to ministers) TAKEN
  18. Two paperback copies of The Case For Easter by Lee Strobel. TAKEN
  19. One paperback copy of Don’t Let The Jerks Get The Best Of You by Paul Meier. TAKEN
  20. One paperback copy of The Year Of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs.
  21. One paperback copy of Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy by Susan Forward. TAKEN
  22. One paperback copy of If You Had Controlling Parents by Dan Neuharth. TAKEN
  23. One paperback copy of What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. TAKEN
  24. Three paperback copies of The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans. TAKEN
  25. One paperback copy of The Art Of Forgiving by Lewis B. Smedes. TAKEN
  26. One paperback copy of Good ‘N Angry: How To Handle Your Anger Positively by Les Carter. (some markings) TAKEN
  27. One paperback copy of Healing Of Memories by David A. Seamands. TAKEN
  28. One paperback copy of The Wounded Heart by Dan B. Allender (Child Sexual Abuse) TAKEN
  29. One paperback copy of Healing Your Emotional Self by Beverly Engel. TAKEN
  30. One paperback copy of More Jesus, Less Religion by Stephen Arterburn & Jack Felton. TAKEN
  31. One paperback copy of Baker’s Harmony Of The Gospels. TAKEN
  32. One paperback copy of Changes That Heal Workbook by Henry Cloud.
  33. One hardcover copy of Under The Banner Of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (Mormon).
  34. One hardcover copy of Get Out Of That Pit Devotional Journal by Beth Moore. TAKEN
  35. One hardcover copy of Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaff. TAKEN
  36. One hardcover copy of The Narcissist Next Door by Jeffrey Kluger. (some underlining) TAKEN
  37. One hardcover copy of What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. TAKEN
  38. One hardcover copy of Prayer: Does It Make A Difference by Philip Yancey. (some markings)
  39. One hardcover copy of The Truth Book by Joy Castro. (Jehovah’s Witness Abuse)
  40. One hardcover copy of Living With Your Dreams by David A. Seamands. TAKEN
  41. One hardcover copy of The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero. TAKEN
  42. One hardcover copy of More Jesus, Less Religion by Stephen Arterburn & Jack Felton. TAKEN
  43. One hardcover copy of Vine’s Expository Dictionary. TAKEN
  44. One KJV Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible. (Has some markings and water damage near the back.)
  45. One DVD of The Story Of Two Kings/Where Did The Bible Come From.
  46. One DVD of Cult Explosion: Cults Exposed By Those Who Escaped (Walter Martin). TAKEN
  47. One paperback copy of The Relief Of Imperfection by Joan C. Webb. TAKEN
  48. One hardcover copy of The Gentle Art Of Verbal Self Defense by Suzette Haden Elgin.
  49. Kidz Bible Audio Bible For Kids NIRV MP3 Format – new.
  50. One hardcover copy of Love Is A Choice: Recovery for Codependent Relationships by Hemfelt, Minirth & Meier. TAKEN
  51. One hardcover copy of Zondervan Handbook To The Bible.
  52. One hardcover copy of All The Apostles Of The Bible by Herbert Lockyer. TAKEN
  53. One hardcover copy of The Works of Philo Complete And Unabridged. TAKEN
  54. One hardcover copy of Handbook of Denominations in the United States Ninth Edition by Frank S. Mead. TAKEN
  55. One paperback copy of Surviving The Shadows by Bob Delany (post-traumatic stress). TAKEN

The first people with a USA mailing address who respond will receive their choice of book(s) at no charge to them. To respond, just leave a comment on this post. Please understand that comments require approval unless you have previously commented. So while it may look like you are first, there may be someone ahead of you whose comment is pending. Be sure to use your actual email address when setting up to comment as I will be contacting you through it if I do not already have your address. Check your spam folder as email sometimes goes there. (For your privacy, do not put your email or address in the comment.)

Be sure to mention which book(s) you would like and you may refer to them by number instead of the title. There is no limit on how many you may request, though you may only have one copy of any title.

We always provide these at no charge to our readers. If anyone would like to help with the expenses involved, you may do so via GFM in the link below. Donations may also be sent via snail mail to Lois Gibson, P.O. Box 300682, Waterford, MI 48330. Our total cost for just the postage on this giveaway was $68.74.

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