Spiritual Abuse Forum???

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I just went to the Spiritual Abuse website that Lois Somebody oversees. Does anyone know anything about her or this site? I have never been on it before, and honestly, I don't understand what she's trying to accomplish. No matter how much it says that it's not bashing UPC, it seems that that's the agenda there.

I know and understand that there is major abuse in some situations, but there is major abuse in any organization or denomination. People are people, some good and some bad. If you choose to leave a group (like we did), I think you should just leave and not rehash all the things you think are evil about it. What is the point of "exposing" things ten years down the road? Sorry, but I just think this is wrong.

Like I've said many times, the UPC brought me to Jesus. If it were not for my heritage, I might not have the privilege of knowing Him. Were there things that were wrong? Sure! Do we do everything correctly now? NOOOOOOOOO! We are all still learning.

Just my thoughts for the day!

Sis. C...God bless your heart!! This is one of the many things that endears you so to those still onboard the Mothership...you respect where you came from.

As for Lois...I knew her through the old FCF (she was Sarge on the old board, and is signed up here I think).

Anyway, she read some of my posts and thinking I was a nice enough sort, she asked me to write an article for her site. My piece could be about anything I chose to write about and she would not edit.

She remained true to her word, and even wrote a nice note at the end of the article.

That being said, Lois has some issues with the org...some I know about and some I don't. But I think she opened the site and her forum for people to express their hurts...you could be right, but if there was or is an agenda, I am not aware of it.

I am not trying to speak for her or defend her, just to give you info that I know.

I haven't been there in ages and don't know what all is there now...

[Sherri]

Well, I do remember "Sarge". I didn't know that was her.

I guess I still don't understand the point behind the whole thing though. Maybe I've just been gone for so long that I don't need to rehash it all.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Well, I do remember "Sarge". I didn't know that was her.

I guess I still don't understand the point behind the whole thing though. Maybe I've just been gone for so long that I don't need to rehash it all.

Sherri, after having read your posts for quite a while now, I can truly say that you and your family are some of the ones I wish had stayed with us!

For the life of me, I can't see what good that forum does. It's actually rather offensive to those of us who have been in and loved the UPCI for all these years.

[StMark]

I'm gonna shoot Lois an email and tell her ya'll are over here running her down

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Sherri, after having read your posts for quite a while now, I can truly say that you and your family are some of the ones I wish had stayed with us!

For the life of me, I can't see what good that forum does. It's actually rather offensive to those of us who have been in and loved the UPCI for all these years.

Do you also wish that the UPC had dropped the policies that caused folks like this to leave?

I obviously don't speak for Sherri, or Brother Cupples. In fact, I'm probably making Sherri mad by pushing this. But Sarah, how sincere are you in what you say?

[Barb]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Do you also wish that the UPC had dropped the policies that caused folks like this to leave?

I obviously don't speak for Sherri, or Brother Cupples. In fact, I'm probably making Sherri mad by pushing this. But Sarah, how sincere are you in what you say?

I can sincerely say that I wish they had not left.

I can sincerely say that I wish 'things' had not happened that caused them to leave.

And I can sincerely say that though they are not numbered with the UPCI, they are still a part of 'us'.

Originally Posted by Sarah

Sherri, after having read your posts for quite a while now, I can truly say that you and your family are some of the ones I wish had stayed with us!

For the life of me, I can't see what good that forum does. It's actually rather offensive to those of us who have been in and loved the UPCI for all these years.

It is your option to go there ........... you will not be offened if you don't go there, the thing is why would you be offened by truth?

[Steve Epley]

In my opinion she is helping to hurt healing people.

[StMark]

A lot of UPCers and conservatives feel that it's disloyal to admit that one ours could behave badly or abuse members. I've seen it first hand and it's heartbreaking. I feel badly for those who have been mistreated.
I also think it makes us look worse in the long run when we wont admit it.

On the otherhand, as a pastor's son, I've seen members make up lies to garner sympathy and create a camp against a pastor and using manipulative tactics, tithe and giving as a way to force their ideals thru.
has anyone ever heard of board ran churches?? that's a whole nother topic
as Coonskinner said in so many words, there is such as a thing as saints abuse against leadership.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Sister Truth Seeker

It is your option to go there ........... you will not be offened if you don't go there, the thing is why would you be offened by truth?

Sis TS, I read over there a couple of years ago, and found I could not identify with most of those people.

My heart goes out to you and others who feel they have been abused. But I think in a lot of cases, it's as Bro Epley says. Pastors preach and teach what they feel God wants them to..........maybe over zealously and not in wisdom....and it's easy to think 'abuse'. But in my nearly fifty years of being in the UPCI, I've seen very little of it. Some, of course, but not enough to warrant a website against the organization.

Jesus was hurt by his own. But he was an overcomer, and by his example, we can too. Thank God.