The CAM scandal links and assorted other topics thread

[TruthSeeker]

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Saturday, February 20, at 11 AM, EST
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"The Spiritual Impact of Abuse"
Pete Singer with Victor Vieth explores the often over-looked spiritual impact of abuse.

(As referenced in the thread "Ravi Zacharias Death," it is encouraging to know that some organizations are acknowledging, owning, and dealing redemptively with abuse:
"RZIM's International Board of Directors released the report of the law firm they engaged to investigate the claims that Ravi engaged in sexual misconduct, and an open letter of repentance."

https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/ ... qiP_FP0EjM)

[Ernie]

(As referenced in the thread "Ravi Zacharias Death," it is encouraging to know that some organizations are acknowledging, owning, and dealing redemptively with abuse:
"RZIM's International Board of Directors released the report of the law firm they engaged to investigate the claims that Ravi engaged in sexual misconduct, and an open letter of repentance."

https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/ ... qiP_FP0EjM)

I'm glad for whatever steps organizations take to admit their failure and take steps to change.
It seems that the UK branch didn't think the RZIM US board went far enough. They published this the following day.
https://www.zachariastrust.org/news

[TruthSeeker]

(As referenced in the thread "Ravi Zacharias Death," it is encouraging to know that some organizations are acknowledging, owning, and dealing redemptively with abuse:
"RZIM's International Board of Directors released the report of the law firm they engaged to investigate the claims that Ravi engaged in sexual misconduct, and an open letter of repentance."


https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/ ... qiP_FP0EjM)

I'm glad for whatever steps organizations take to admit their failure and take steps to change.
It seems that the UK branch didn't think the RZIM US board went far enough. They published this the following day.
https://www.zachariastrust.org/news

Perhaps the perspective was formed and decision was made based on “inside knowledge?”

[Joy]

Mrs. Thompson doesn't strike me as a victim, sending nude photos of herself to a man not her husband. She wasn't a child nor an employee. "Brave" would have been to refuse, and to turn him in when he asked for them. Blackmailing--a criminal act, right?--for five million makes her story lose credibility.

[Aurien]

Mrs. Thompson doesn't strike me as a victim, sending nude photos of herself to a man not her husband. She wasn't a child nor an employee. "Brave" would have been to refuse, and to turn him in when he asked for them. Blackmailing--a criminal act, right?--for five million makes her story lose credibility.

Here is a statement Lori Anne Thompson made. I also strongly recommend reading the articles done by The Roys Report that she links to in her statement. These things may not change your view of her but perhaps they will help you understand why people consider her a victim. The world is not black and white. There are many shades of gray, and even those who are not completely pure and innocent can still be victims.

https://loriannethompson.com/2021/02/08 ... statement/

[QuietlyListening]

So sad. We who have never been abused cannot comprehend what someone who has suffered abuse goes thru and how it affects them then and for the rest of their life.

Thanks for sharing this Aurien. Praying for all he abused and his family.

[Wade]

Of the people I've counselled, helped, and observed a common theme I see in people that never are able to really get past things is an inability to take responsibility where they should. Lori and the rest of Christianity needs to admit all but especially cross gender relationships that are not open with spouses and/or parents in counselling are just emotional adultery. Integrity involves being honest with our own wrongs and Lori avoiding contact with Ravi could have been so easily avoided. But rather most Christianity rejects things like segragated seating but thinks nothing wrong with cross gender counselling or relationships they wouldn't feel comfortable doing so if it were open publicly...?

[MaxPC]

Of the people I've counselled, helped, and observed a common theme I see in people that never are able to really get past things is an inability to take responsibility where they should. Lori and the rest of Christianity needs to admit all but especially cross gender relationships that are not open with spouses and/or parents in counselling are just emotional adultery. Integrity involves being honest with our own wrongs and Lori avoiding contact with Ravi could have been so easily avoided. But rather most Christianity rejects things like segragated seating but thinks nothing wrong with cross gender counselling or relationships they wouldn't feel comfortable doing so if it were open publicly...?

Quite.

Your post brings up questions that I have:

Abusers and sexual predators do have behaviors that are warning signs. Is there an office or committee that serves Anabaptists with resources for the education of church members in the recognition of these warning signs of abuse and predator behaviors?

Is there a standard procedure for the reporting of such behaviors at the local level and the regional?

Are there Anabaptist educational training venues for ministers and church workers to help them to avoid situations that can lead to inappropriate contact, accusations, etc?

If there are not, is it time to create these resources?

[steve-in-kville]

Praying for all he abused and his family.

Thank you for that post. Families of abused children can really take a beating, in ways no one else could understand. Its especially rough when the perpetrator resides in the home as well.

[TruthSeeker]

Of the people I've counselled, helped, and observed a common theme I see in people that never are able to really get past things is an inability to take responsibility where they should. Lori and the rest of Christianity needs to admit all but especially cross gender relationships that are not open with spouses and/or parents in counselling are just emotional adultery. Integrity involves being honest with our own wrongs and Lori avoiding contact with Ravi could have been so easily avoided. But rather most Christianity rejects things like segragated seating but thinks nothing wrong with cross gender counselling or relationships they wouldn't feel comfortable doing so if it were open publicly...?

Kudos to the pedophile & the pedophile’s family of faith when this type of circumspect vigilance is demonstrated by avoiding placement in unsupervised positions on the mission field!