The CAM scandal links and assorted other topics thread

[danfreed]

I am so sad to read about past and present heartbreak on this thread, and pray for full reconciliation of every person involved, as well as a fully restored and retooled Christian Aid Ministry (CAM).

Thank you, Truthseeker, Dan Z and others, for your directing our thoughts and prayers to Jesus, the only Savior. Let us each humble ourselves under His mighty hand.

Psalm 79:8-9 "Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.…"


CAM Goals (listed on website):
1. To help and encourage God’s people
2. To help bring the Gospel to a lost and dying world

I appreciate these goals, and the many CAM staff and volunteers who are serving in these goals with a pure heart.

I also appreciate the efforts of other Christian humanitarian organizations including Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Samaritan's Purse, and so many others. Much good can be done as we pray for one another, and find ways to work together. Let's focus on the positive and the message of salvation through Christ Jesus.

During 1969-1983, in an Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite church setting, I only heard negative reviews about MCC. However, reading "Henry's Red Sea," the story of Mennonite refugees in WWII, captured my heart, and opened my eyes to a bigger world than me, myself and I. Bigger world than the PA Mennonites where I was placed.

Later, reading Corrie ten Boom's "Hiding Place" introduced me to more heroic people. Still later, as a student in the later 1980s, I heard Peter Dyck, guest speaker at Eastern Mennonite College. His stories of refugee experiences in Russia and Germany were so inspiring. During this time I also saw the documentary "The Hiding Place". I was so inspired by the ten Boom family. They loved God and others with a practical, unselfish, sacrificial love.

In 2015, on our 30th anniversary trip, my wife and I visited the Corrie ten Boom museum in Haarlem. Highly recommended, if you are passing through the Netherlands. https://www.corrietenboom.com/en/information/the-museum

In 2017, I had opportunity to serve with a CAM healthcare team on a short-term mission to refugee camps in Iraq. This was an excellent experience, well-organized by Daniel Miller, Reuben and Mary Ann Yoder and others.

I am not saying these things about CAM to argue for cover-up of anything evil that needs to be exposed. I agree with Joshua Good that getting outside investigative help would go a long way toward moving CAM forward with their stated goals, updating background check policies, etc. Hopefully, they are already doing this. And if not, I would argue that it is not too late for them to seek this kind of professional help.

Here is the website of GRACE, a resource that Josh referenced:
https://www.netgrace.org/

Meanwhile, by God's grace, let's keep praying and working for peace, each in our little corner.


"You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family." Mt 5:9 (MSG)

[Aurien]

Perhaps the full extent of abuse can not be known for sure, but to the best of your knowledge, how many victims have come forward or been alleged?
I only know there are more victims than indicated on Trudy's blog but do not know the scope.

He was dismissed for allegedly molesting more than one boy at the Reamston school in the mid- 70's. 2? 3? 5? '74

In the 80s He confessed to his wife that he had fathered a child in the US (something he later denied). Was this an adulterous situation, or was the child fathered before they were married?
Was alleged as having occurred in '87 during marriage.

In the 60s or 70s (?) he allegedly molested two of his own children according to the the Espenshade report in the newspaper (are these different children than were related to the Reamstown school accusations?)
different children


Thank you for helping bring clarity and to this tragic situation. This must be hard for you and all involved to relive - but hopefully this can be a step toward real healing and resolution for all involved. We're praying to that end.

Thank you for the supportive thoughts and prayers.

TruthSeeker, it's my understanding that Harold later recanted his statement about fathering a child with someone other than his wife. I have two questions concerning that particular situation. First, do you know if the female that he (allegedly) fathered a child was with a minor or an adult at the time? Secondly do you know what proof Harold claims to have that shows that the child isn't his?

[TruthSeeker]

TruthSeeker, it's my understanding that Harold later recanted his statement about fathering a child with someone other than his wife. I have two questions concerning that particular situation. First, do you know if the female that he (allegedly) fathered a child was with a minor or an adult at the time? Secondly do you know what proof Harold claims to have that shows that the child isn't his?

Aslanhasheard, regrettably there some unique confidentiality issues surrounding the particulars about which you inquire, and I am, therefore, unable to respond. Thank you for your understanding.

[Aurien]

TruthSeeker, it's my understanding that Harold later recanted his statement about fathering a child with someone other than his wife. I have two questions concerning that particular situation. First, do you know if the female that he (allegedly) fathered a child was with a minor or an adult at the time? Secondly do you know what proof Harold claims to have that shows that the child isn't his?

Aslanhasheard, regrettably there some unique confidentiality issues surrounding the particulars about which you inquire, and I am, therefore, unable to respond. Thank you for your understanding.

No problem at all. I wasn't sure if you would be able to give answers or not but thought I'd ask just in case.

[Josh]

It may be helpful to remember how often plain Anabaptists say their doctrine and practice is better than other Christian’s doctrine and practice. For example, it doesn’t take long in the threads on Reformed theology to run into this or in the threads on clothing. I, myself, have heard many sermons with the theme of “we are better” running through them.

So when something like sexual abuse happens in an organization like CAM, which represents so many different plain Anabaptists, the expectation is and should be that it will be handled in a way which is very different and in a much better way than other religious groups have done. (It should never have happened.)

In other words, does the practice match the words of self-described excellence of doctrine. The absence of anything different than others is quite glaring. The comparison, at this point, to other Christians in a way which puts us all in the same boat, when their boat isn’t good enough in the area of doctrine and practice is disturbing.

In my study of Anabaptist history, I have learned to appreciate certain aspects of Anabaptism. I just think it is time now to eat some humble pie.

I don’t think it is bashing plain Anabaptists or hateful to point this out.

I understand where you’re coming from.

I guess I never had a belief I’m “better” because I’m plain. Rather, I have more responsibility and must live to a higher standard, because I’m plain. Other Christians get a “pass” on things I don’t, and they may be in ignorance. I don’t get a “pass”.

Unfortunately it seems this can easily flip to pride.

[Jazman]

The above posters were using “spiritual” to refer to a particular thing common in Charity circles.

I’m a bit sick and tired of the bashing of plain people in this thread. I get that some of you really hate anything plain or conservative Christian. But abuse is also been a serious problem in liberal Mennonite circles too. And I don’t run around bashing liberal Mennonites for their abuse problems, or blame their abuse problems on their liberalism.

I'm easily misunderstood, I know. I hope my post wasn't taken to be only critiquing plain people... I happen to believe many american non-plain evangelicalism may be more guilty of what joshua was speaking of in this,

"...I think we have created a "metaphysical," perhaps even superstitious, "spiritual" which is encapsulated by feelings, spiritual disciplines, and emotional singing and preaching - that is strangely devoid of healthy community practices and daily living."

[Josh]

The above posters were using “spiritual” to refer to a particular thing common in Charity circles.

I’m a bit sick and tired of the bashing of plain people in this thread. I get that some of you really hate anything plain or conservative Christian. But abuse is also been a serious problem in liberal Mennonite circles too. And I don’t run around bashing liberal Mennonites for their abuse problems, or blame their abuse problems on their liberalism.

I'm easily misunderstood, I know. I hope my post wasn't taken to be only critiquing plain people... I happen to believe many american non-plain evangelicalism may be more guilty of what joshua was speaking of in this,

"...I think we have created a "metaphysical," perhaps even superstitious, "spiritual" which is encapsulated by feelings, spiritual disciplines, and emotional singing and preaching - that is strangely devoid of healthy community practices and daily living."

I think it's fair to say that every group seems to suffer from this problem equally, plain or not plain, evangelical or Catholic, or even not religious at all. And with that in mind, the solution (in my opinion) does not lie in a new set of religious beliefs or in tweaking practices.

A skilled sociopath seems to be the profile of the typical abuser, and a trait of these people is that they figure out how to exploit whatever culture and religion they are in. In plain circles, that means they often exploit how we practice forgiveness. In big, institutional cultures, they often take advantage of academic credentials. In Hollywood, they take advantage in entirely different ways.

Harvey Weinstein got charged today, and Epstein just had further revelations come out that the scope and scale of his abuse was bigger than formerly known. And neither of these people were religious or plain people.

[Jazman]

A skilled sociopath seems to be the profile of the typical abuser, and a trait of these people is that they figure out how to exploit whatever culture and religion they are in. In plain circles, that means they often exploit how we practice forgiveness. In big, institutional cultures, they often take advantage of academic credentials. In Hollywood, they take advantage in entirely different ways.

I think that's well said. They learn to exploit whatever weakness is most readily available... and too often we don't want to face the weakness, but try to hide it or hide from it.

[TruthSeeker]

https://splash4ripples.com/2020/01/13/c ... er-miller/

I reiterate Trudy's request for prayer for the victim that came forward yesterday! I, also, ask for prayer for myself as the victim is near and dear to my heart. (Might I clarify that I'm a passionate advocate for all victims. It's just doubling devasting when you have emotional ties with ones that come forward.)

[hillperson]

Praying Truthseeker