Whistleblower

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Igzy

"Enablers?"

So, if we support and encourage a sister who has been sexually abused by a religious leader in a domineering religious organization, which we know has indoctrinated its followers (she being one) to be intimidated by and cower from the very thought of challenging said leaders--some of whom are those very sexual abusers!--then it is we who are "enablers?"

But, if said domineering religious movement shuffles around those very sexual abusers and victims like checkers on the grand checkerboard of their whacked-out plan, never punishing the guilty or affording justice to the victims, what are they? Are they not enablers?

I appreciate your soft words to the sister, disingenuous though they may be. But, as usual, you have missed the mountain for the molehill.

Too bad the all wise Drake could not provide comfort to the Blendeds who got their feelings hurt by Heritage House. Perhaps Drake could have comforted them, and saved the saints all that money when they took their lawsuit all the way to the SCOTUS.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Too bad the all wise Drake could not provide comfort to the Blendeds who got their feelings hurt by Heritage House. Perhaps Drake could have comforted them, and saved the saints all that money when they took their lawsuit all the way to the SCOTUS.

Harvest House?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Nell

Harvest House?

Yeah, thanks.

LSM’s unsuccessful litigation against Harvest House regarding the Encyclopedia of Cults & New Religions by John Ankerberg & John Weldon.

[Cal]

I'm struck as to how the LSM BBs can swing their weight far and wide amongst the LC churches, thumping their chests and overstepping their bounds to discipline and fire elders and shut down churches for perceived infractions--anything from not buying enough printed materials, to speaking unapproved teachings, to using unapproved music. But when a leader sexually abuses a sister, they suddenly fall silent and impotent. No indignation. No chest thumping. No proclamations. No websites. No justice for the injured. Just fecklessness, excuse making and sheepish relocation.

Obviously, Lee set the precedent by trying to cover up his sons sins. So now it's standard practice, the fruit of "follow Lee, right or wrong!" Shameful!

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Igzy

I'm struck as to how the LSM BBs can swing their weight far and wide amongst the LC churches, thumping their chests and overstepping their bounds to discipline and fire elders and shut down churches for perceived infractions--anything from not buying enough printed materials, to speaking unapproved teachings, to using unapproved music. But when a leader sexually abuses a sister, they suddenly fall silent and impotent. No indignation. No chest thumping. No proclamations. No websites. No justice for the injured. Just fecklessness, excuse making and sheepish relocation.

Obviously, Lee set the precedent by trying to cover up his sons sins. So now it's standard practice, the fruit of "follow Lee, right or wrong!" Shameful!

This is exactly how it's done:

Hope: #103

Regarding Ben McPhersons immorality, this is the report from a first hand witness: Ray Graver was the first to know. He contacted Benson Phillips who called for an urgent gathering at his home with Ray, Joe Davis of Houston, Don Looper of Austin and Don Rutledge of Dallas. This occurred the morning after Ben was found out. All the brothers there were furious. Don Rutledge angrily declared that they had all been betrayed. All agreed that Ben should be publicly excommunicated and publicly rebuked that all may fear. All agreed that the Lord could not bless the church in Irving due to Ben’s sin. Ben had confessed to Ray that this sin was not a one time thing but had been going on for some time including when he was in Arlington. Ben also admitted that he knew the Church in Arlington had lagged (behind) the other Dallas area churches in blessing due to his sin. At that time, none of these brothers would sympathize with any immorality and especially from an elder or co-worker.

While they were meeting, Witness Lee...

You don't have to read any further. But I would add to the list of sinful behavior by these elders: cowardice, ambition and idol worship of Witness Lee.

Nell

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Nell

This is exactly how it's done:

You don't have to read any further. But I would add to the list of sinful behavior by these elders: cowardice, ambition and idol worship of Witness Lee.

Nell

Sounds more like "man-pleasing" to me.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Sounds more like "man-pleasing" to me.

That too.

And the list goes on...

[aron]

Originally Posted by Nell

I'd add to the list of sinful behavior by these elders: cowardice, ambition and idol worship of Witness Lee.

Nell

In the LC we were told to "take Christ as our person", but instead we got a persona, an act, covering a man-made system that invited abuse, up to and including sexual abuse. Everything was for the system, which was deemed sacrosanct. In this the LC was no different from the RCC, Miramax, or PSU Football. Evil men abused the system, and "system men" (and women) abetted their abuses.

The "Christ" of the LC didn't care for the poor, often denigrated women, didn't care for righteousness ("we don't care about right and wrong, but about 'life'"), was all about man-pleasing, and was only interested in the scripture inasmuch as it could be used as a prop for the system.

The person of the Bible is Jesus. He would never do this stuff, he would never condone this stuff, he would never look the other way and pretend. Never. No chance.

He hung out with sinners, which shocked many, but he himself was righteous, compassionate, giving, and holy. He would not and could not participate in schemes of deceit and treachery. He was full of respect (love, compassion, care) for others. None of us match him in full. At best we can faintly reflect him in part. But let's not kid ourselves, and presume to be something we're not.

If we focus on him, and him alone, all other reality will emerge. "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" ~John 1:3 NIV

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

In the LC we were told to "take Christ as our person", but instead we got a persona, an act, covering a man-made system that invited abuse, up to and including sexual abuse. Everything was for the system, which was deemed sacrosanct. In this the LC was no different from the RCC, Miramax, or PSU Football. Evil men abused the system, and "system men" (and women) abetted their abuses.

Constantly in the system we were indoctrinated that the "ministry was for the churches," but all the evidence was to the contrary. When the Midwest received anonymous mailings of chaos in Anaheim, we were all told by TC, "shame on those elders," and the "mistakes of my spiritual father are none of my business." But who stood up for righteousness? And who asked the Lord what we should do?

We were indoctrinated in a system watching all the brothers regularly rebuked by the "master," both in Anaheim and Cleveland. Yet simultaneously we were warned that the master was never to be critiqued. Remember what happened to Noah's son? Cursed. Remember what happened to Moses' sister? Leprosy.

What teaching could create such a dangerous system as the Recovery? Deputy authority. The teaching that one man on earth in every age stood in place of God to rule over others. Such a man alone had the oracle of God, and such a man alone was above reproach, the recovery's version of "the infallibility of the Pope." A recipe for abuse and corruption. The license to abuse others and personally escape all culpability. With these ingredients, abuse happens every time. With the Lee family, it was happening all the time.

Never forget that abuse breeds more abuse. Brothers abused then abuse others. I've seen it. I've lived it. I'm guilty too. Apostle Paul, on the contrary, was gentle towards all, as a nursing mother, night and day with tears. Examples of his love for the saints are sprinkled throughout the N.T. Never forget that love breeds more love. Brothers loved then love others.

Regarding the abuses suffered in the Recovery, it's amazing how a little sunshine could have healed us by exposing the sin. This has always been my biggest complaint about Witness Lee. It's one thing to have rotten kids, it's another thing to let them damage the children of God. Lee not only let "the damage" run wild, but he would smear the reputations of any and all whistleblowers. Then for months in the aftermath we would be instructed how evil these whistleblowers were, and how Lee himself was brutally "victimized." Disgusting! Just disgusting!