Clergy Sexual Abuse. Can We Have Victims Advocacy In COGIC?

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Clergy Sexual Abuse. Not Just A Catholic Problem

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Sexual Abuse & Silence STILL Doesn't Mix

Catholic Archbishop Robert Carlson claimed in a recent sworn deposition and testimony, that in the 80's, while he was Chancellor of the diocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, that he was unaware that sexual molestation of minors, or pedophilia was a crime.
 

How convenient it is to forget events and remain silent about what you know when your back is against the wall...For the Catholic Bishop in the video, I think with all that he didn't know, it probably would have been more easy to ask him what he did know...That list may have been much more short and simple to understand.

While it is difficult to remember details to conversations and actions that occurred nearly 30 or so years ago, it is all too corporately acceptable to hold to ignorance and obfuscate when all else fails...The only problem is that whatever was true then, should be true now and only a 'lie" needs to be "touched up" or refreshed.

~~My Mock Interview With Carlson~~

Me: Bishop, since you seem to have forgotten so much, do you know or remember the WORD of God? 

Bishop Carlson: I don't remember that either? 

Me: Well that is obvious...I just thought you may have forgotten that you forgot and remembered by now.... 

Bishop Carlson: Well, that makes sense...I think I remember that...

Arguably, his deposition seems to be a crime itself. It is it below, if you have about 3 hours to kill... but first...

The COGIC Challenge....

Burnett Testimony In High Profile Case

I was deposed in a setting of this sort. I was deposed regarding events that I had not witnessed, but was versed on when it came to sexual abuse and certain actions and procedures within our church. Except, my deposition was much longer...it was about 5 hours. 

Before I could complete the final 2 hours, the church...YES the Grand Ole COGIC SETTLED with the persons who were suing them, and in the process, demanded a gag order, or an order of silence upon the "victims" or "plaintiffs" with whom they settled. In other words, the church took out the Grand Ole Checkbook, the victims got paid, shut-up according to order, and my 5 hours never saw the light of day. That's OK.

Gate-Way To The Midwest

Now, it is interesting that this Catholic Bishop, is now in St. Louis, MO.  For those who don't know, St. Louis is the current home of the COGIC Holy Convocation. The Holy Convocation is COGIC's largest and most important annual convention or meeting. 

My question is will COGIC, since it presents such an influential event in St. Louis, MO.,  make a statement condemning sexual abuse of all kinds? Since they have failed to do so previously even regarding atrocities which have arisen from our own ranks, I would implore and urge officials that understand the seriousness of these issues to make and take a stand.   

I CHALLENGE COGIC to SPEAK UP and take a position on this matter and other matters of sexual abuse in favor of victims rights. Further, I CHALLENGE the leaders of our church to take an open stand against abuse or all forms both inside and outside of the church and take a vocal and active role in bringing deliverance, help and healing to the VICTIMS (Remember those who have been damaged by the perverted actions of others?)

I have done my best to make this so and will continue to advocate as strongly as I am able. I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council, plans to speak up once again at the 2014 Holy Convocation. It is my hope that our COGIC officials will join me in this effort and also take a serious look at the victim's advocacy proposal that I have presented to certain "high level" officials within the church. 

It is ABSOLUTELY foolish to continue to do the same thing and expect different results... Do the right think and make molesters and predators know that their day is ended!

Blessed!

Bishop Carlson's Full Deposition  

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I'm Baaack!

Are you still saying "Happy New Year" to some members of your church? 

Well, I know the readers of this blog have been wondering where I have been and what has been going on...So Happy New year to you too! 

I have taken on some new duties, responsibilities and the schedule has been heated up...I decided with all that is happening to take somewhat of a break from writing, but Oooooohhhhh my...don't think for a second that I have not been busy examining the changes within out community and nation with plenty of insight from the Lord on what is happening both in the church and within society...There is plenty to fight, advocate and stand up for and God and his people are certainly on the move. 

So Much To Pray For...So Little Time

Since my last post in Nov. of 2013, much has happened...We have probably had the most extensive winter than we've seen in years, and in some cases American history...Our poor folk in Atlanta can't function with a couple of inches of snow on the ground and would probably go off the map if 4 to 6 inches of snow fell...Current expectation is that an inch of ice will continue to paralyze the South. We are certainly praying for all them that were injured and for the families of those who lost their lives in the most recent storm and for the safety of them that are preparing for another round of winter. 

I know that there is a great deal of upheaval in the world. We have a civil war in Syria, the advancement of the Palestinians who have never had a nation or been a people, and all kinds of international uprisings and such the like. 

Then, there is the advancement of the homosexual agenda in America both through the courts and by this President and the Democratic Party in general...

Is there ANY REASON that a believer in Christ should vote democratic in the next Presidential election? 

I can't think of ONE THING that the Democrats have done and stand for that represent my interest or the interests of most Americans that I know....I actually can't think of anything that the democrats believe in that attracts me as a Black man with a family and the head of my household. Not ONE! Certainly the Republicans aren't exempt or just get a pass either...They have done and are doing their fair share of damage too...Well maybe that's just me....

Isn't it special that the only way that the homosexual agenda can advance is through the courts and by weak legislatures who overlook the will of the people? We all understand that the "will of the people" can be wrong and that "might" does not necessarily make right. People, through their "might" can choose a path that disenfranchises groups of people. I dare say that slavery is one of those kind of things. Noone understands this sort of sentiment better than those who have studied and lived through the Civil Rights era. However, what we are talking about is normalizing and ultimately endorsing "behavior" as opposed to inherently obvious diversities that cannot be worn off or changed through behavioral modification or by any other method. 

Look at it this way, Black cannot be "silenced" nor suppressed and it is obvious for many to see who is Black and who is White...How a person has sex or who a person loves, cannot be known until a person acts upon their feelings or inclinations. This is a vast and marked difference which makes all the difference in the world. This is forever why the fight for sexual acceptance will never been in the same league as the fight for racial parity and acceptance. 

Back to politics...Look at it, in almost every situation where gay normalization has been before the PEOPLE either by referendum or some other public vote, (not the sick legislatures who violate the will of the people whom they have been elected, commissioned and charged to represent,) gay normalization has been rejected. Yet, legislators continue to pass laws in favor of the homosexual agenda, for fear of being demonized and shamed publicly. In most cases, the demonization doesn't come from their elected base...it comes from organizations that claim to stand for "human rights" such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Lambda Legal and such like who, from a distance, seeks to shame those who don't hold their values. 

Standing for something, may cost popularity, but this is America and taking and making a stand is a courageous thing to do and something that should be done at all costs when that stand is for truth and righteousness. 

What of Sochi?

This whole attempt to "shame" can be felt around the world. I believe that if we look close enough we will find that HOMOSEXUAL advocates proliferated the lie that Sochi would be the worst and most dangerous Winter Olympics filled with terrorism...I am not so enamoured that I look beyond the atrocities of Russian Communism, however, separated from that, I believe that homosexual advocates deliberately tried to instill fear and even sabotage the games in general. Why? Because Russia (as I said, criticize the Communists all you want) had enough NERVE to stand and condemn homosexuality as a lifestyle and as a human right in their country.... For that I say KUDOS RUSSIA!....As former KGB leader President Putin expressed, no one is trying to lock anyone out, no matter their sexual preference or practice, but the proclivity of a person doesn't change society and neither will it change their laws. Do what you do out of the public eye. I believe that after years of decline, Russia understands that whatever society is allowed to practice, so is society and so goes society. Although I can't say that the Church has had any influence on the governmental position on the issue, I do know that the Russian Christian church has been on an upswing. I can only pray that that upswing works according to God's word and brings liberation and peace to millions. 

It seems as if no one was intimidated by America insulting the Russian's by sending Billie Jean Lesbian King as an American representative to a country that doesn't allow the open practice of homosexuality. This was a shameful and disrespectful act and only shows a lack of character that has seemed to embrace this country's elected leadership....Like they said on Fat Albert, the President's actions were like, school on Sunday...NO CLASS! This is and will continue to be an important issue I'm sure.  

What Of Religion In America?

The religious front is filled with all sorts of action over the last few months. From folk eating grass "in the name of the lord" (their lord- NOTHING to do with the true and living God) to all sorts of new debates over the compatibility of religion and science one can expect that nothing has slowed down in this so called "scientific age of enlightenment"....

This debate is even commonplace on America's most watched TV shows. While watching a recent Cop show, a character stated an atheist theme song that "faith is believing in what is irrational while claiming rationality" I couldn't believe my ears at first. I said, wait a minute...faith has nothing to do with irrational belief...(except for in the mind of a caveman). A simple proof of that is that we BELIEVE that folk have minds and can and will change or act or follow and outlined path of behavior that is set before them...we BELIEVE that prisons will cause criminals to reconsider therefore curbing crime, we BELIEVE that our friends will come to our rescue when we are really in need. Are any of those "beliefs" all of which remain to be proven, irrational? Simply put, faith has nothing to do with irrationality. Rather, rank and ultra skepticism displays itself to be irrational. Having or needing a proof for what already is, IS an irrational approach to nearly anything and everything. 

Example, do we need a proof as to why a car engine starts when it is built properly? Then further, do we hold that because we can explain how the engine works, that it has not been built? To come to an understanding of how something functions, and then to believe that because we understand it, that there are no higher principles at work, is an irrational position and presumption. These sort of things are irrational belief systems in action, and sentiments of this sort exist among many of the modern atheists and God haters...Yes, they claim they don't hate God, because they "claim" he doesn't exist, but we KNOW the truth... They are HATERS! Sins have blinded their eyes and filled their hearts with hatred against the one that gives them both breath and life to display their hatred...So sad...so true!

Then What Of The Church?

Now, to be fair, there is still plenty of self inflicted damage that the church has done and is doing to itself...For example, my goodness...My church, the grand ole COGIC has yet failed to adequately deal with the healing of victims of sexual abuse. Although we are setting new procedures in order to collect money and secure the fees of credential holders, we have YET to produce a national plan or program that address the pain that victims have suffered as a result of the sins and perversion of some of those who have been entrusted to leadership. Here is the outline of my plan that I will continue to push as long as the Lord gives me strength to do so. 

The Catholic church continues to experience the revelation of cover-up after cover-up...as much as they would like to "pretend" and see the world at "peace" I guess even the Seagulls and Crows know as long as

they ordain priests and leaders with suppressed gay and pedophile feelings, that there can be no peace....

Now, by revelations that are confounding congregations all across America, Bishops and Pastors yet continue to come up with "lust children"...They are those children born out of wedlock and due to adulterous affairs of these leaders years ago. Now, these children are suddenly suddenly showing up, demanding rights and attention....Oooh Yes, I am sick of it too, but don't be fooled, and don;t get it twisted. The women who in many of these cases, think that they are on a "righteous mission" by exposing these men, and even in some cases, used sex as a way to make money and a source of income from preachers and weak leaders, are just as bad as the preachers who fell into their arms...Don't think for a minute that a person "exposing" these bishops and leaders deserves any kind of pat on the back...Some of them were whores laying with whore-mongers. They get no reward for exposing the preachers, and as they do they expose themselves too! More on that in another writing....

So yes, much has happened and much more will happen. Glad to be back and for all the haters and debaters, there will be much more in this coming year to hate and debate over, but in the end...JESUS and them that follow HIM...WIN!

Blessed!

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Image, Assets & Liability Pt. 2...The "Shuffling" Bishop

Toward the end of the song "Party Rock Anthem", by LMFAO (please don't ask what the acronym represents), there is a character which appears to be Jesus doing the dance called "shuffle". I am unsure if this was a subliminal message directed toward the church or not, but it is very clear that the representatives of Jesus through the corporate body called the modern "church" have been "shuffling" for quite some time. 

The unfortunate part is that it seems the church has been "shuffling" and protecting their worst, while exposing and leaving the innocent to danger and confusion. However, it would seem that that day, the day of irresponsibility, is over:

"Cover up child sex crimes and you'll go to jail. Not house arrest. Not community service. Not a fine. You'll be locked up. It says, loud and clear, that child sex crimes are taken extremely seriously, and will be punished as such," ~ Joelle Casteix, Western Regional the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Director CNN 6/24/2012

The Latest Example...Held LIABLE

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Rihanna ~ "Man Down", BET & Parental Duty

This is the opening part of the new Rihanna "Man Down" video which was originally aired on BET last week. In this part, the character played by Rihanna, kills a man in the response to the man's actions which were revealed in the end of the video which I will post as time allows. In the later part of the video, we discover that the character played by Rhianna, killed the man in response to a rape, or sexual assault. Rihanna claims not only does the video offer a "positive message" for those "like me" , but she also claims that  these type of images empower women who would not otherwise speak up. The question is, is that so and do her assertions have any bearing on reality?

Pt. 2 ~ The reason for the murder (what appears to be rape or sexual abuse)



Rape, Sexual Abuse & A Higher Standard 

As I have stated, we understand the seriousness of this issue. Sexual abuse, rape and molestation are not subjects to be minimized or overlooked as being problematic within the secular or church world. The problem, however is vigilantism as portrayed within the video in exchange for the hurt and pain. In this video there is no healing and there is no call to a higher moral standard by anyone, rapist or victim. This video is simply a display of cold and calculating revenge where the realization is that someone has lost control and a mother has lost a son. What is not identified, is that humanity has lost it's value all together.

The Push-back

A group known as the Parents Television Council, along with the public decency advocacy groups called Industry Ears, and  the Enough Is Enough Campaign has deemed the video as inappropriate stating the following:

‘Man Down’ is an inexcusable, shock-only, shoot-and-kill theme song. In my 30 years of viewing BET, I have never witnessed such a cold, calculated execution of murder in primetime. Viacom’s standards and practices department has reached another new low,”...“If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop. Rihanna should not get a pass and BET should know better. The video is far from broadcast worthy,” ~ Paula Porter spokesperson PTC former BET voice

Another PTc representative stated the following regarding the video and it's presentation and ultimately its purpose:

“Rihanna’s personal story and status as a celebrity superstar provided a golden opportunity for the singer to send an important message to female victims of rape and domestic violence. Instead of telling victims they should seek help, Rihanna released a music video that gives retaliation in the form of premeditated murder the imprimatur of acceptability. The message of the disturbing video could not be more off base,” ~ Melissa Henson, director of communications and public education PTC.

The BET Angle

Rihanna's video premiered on BET, which allows us to further ask does BET even like black people? The reason is that not only does this video provide a controversial response to a very serious subject, the question has been raised does it actually violate the media standards claimed by the Viacom media giant as declared through their CEO of BET , Deborah Lee. Mrs. Lee stated in the following interview that she (BET) had to be the "grown up in the room" in denying opportunities for the airing of certain video imagery deemed inappropriate for television such as material by Kanye West and Ciara and others and particularly the "women" of Hip-Hop fame.

Mrs. Lee, has also vowed to set forth a better image of the Black Community in general in the following interview:

Rihanna's Response

In Response to all of this Rhianna has claimed the following:

"I'm a 23 year old rockstar with NO KIDS! What's up with everybody wantin me to be a parent? I'm just a girl, I can only be your/our voice!" she wrote early Thursday afternoon. "Cuz we all know how difficult/embarrassing it is to communicate touchy subject matters to anyone especially our parents!... And this is why!Cuz we turn the other cheek! U can't hide your kids from society,or they'll never learn how to adapt!This is the REAL WORLD!... The music industry isn't exactly Parents R Us! We have the freedom to make art, LET US! Its your job to make sure they don't turn out like US" ~ Rihanna to critics

Certainly the pain of teh past experiences cannot be denied and Rihanna has not been healed in any sense from her past beyond Chris Brown. The problem is that not only does Rihanna blame parents for not being attentive to their children's needs, she takes absolutely no responsibility for how your child interprets anything that she does or says, whether it is in video or music. In addition she claims that it's the parents job or duty to make sure that your child doesn't turn out "like US", indicating that there are more in the industry messed up like she is. 

Question: Does any sane parent need Rihanna to make that pronouncement? Is there any sane parent on the planet who would like their child to aspire to BET imagery or the imagery as seen in the modern entertainment or hip-hop industry? 

To me, this all adds up to even more reasons to avoid this industry or any association with it (as in hip-hop gospel) When the industry and artists are only given to money, wealth and fame at the expense of their own audience, and without any responsibility of the message, it's a dangerous and sad day. We've known this all along, but now the artists speak for themselves. 

Blessed!   

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Touch Not!

One of our readers rendered the following question:

"I have a question for you what is the boundary that we should not cross when it comes to opposing those who are false teachers and false prophets? I know that 1 Corinthains 5:9-13 tells us to judge those who claim to be save but don't live the life. But many have told me that we shouldn't call out names because we are touching the men of God. But I am a man of God too, and I refuse to sit back and allow this false teachers to preach and teach a lie and cause many to fall into spiritual death. I really need some direction in this area....Can you please help?"

I want to thank Minister Brandon for his question. Please note that this type of question is not new to this site and others who point out specific ridiculousness, sins and heresy of various teachers and supposed preachers within the body of Christ. I want to make a few notes and open it up to all readers (pro or con) for further commentary. I think there are a few different guidelines to remember when doing pointing out sins and heresy in today's church:

To Talk Or Not To Talk?

1- All things must be done in the fear and admonition of the Lord. God is real, HIS people are important (from greatest to least) and they deserve leadership and direction that will help lead them to the cross instead of away from truth. Even though each individual has responsibility for their spiritual condition, leadership can cause people to go astray, suffer and possibly be lost.

Isaiah 9:16 ~ "For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed."

Some regard Jesus words as an encouragement to leave those leaders and followers to their own ends: 

Matthew 15:14 ~ "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

However, we must stop and ask the question, does Jesus want people to fall into a ditch? Didn't he do everything he could do to save us from the ditch of sin?. Ie: The words of Jesus weren't fatalistic nor do they encourage leaving the ungodly to their own means nor allowing followers, people who want to do right, to simply be subject to false teachers, teaching and being flat out bamboozled. The path of the Lord must be made plain and laid straight.

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