Clergy Sexual Abuse. Not Just A Catholic Problem

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The Hunt With John Walsh

I will certainly be watching and tuning this in on Sunday evening. 8/10/2014 on CNN.

May the Lord bless John Walsh and his work as he has taken the pain of a lifetime and turned that into a blessing for countless thousands. 

Blessed!

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Sex Slavery...Human Trafficking...In The Church???

Daniel 5:25-27 ~ 25-And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26-This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27-TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, 
and art found wanting. 

CNN recently reported that Toru Hashimoto, the Mayor of Osaka, Japan claimed that, although it was "a tragic result of war",  that sex slaves, known as "comfort women" used by Japanese soldiers during WWII,  were "necessary" in order to help the soldiers relieve their stress and tensions pertaining to war and military battle and conquest. In fact the last surviving members of the over 200,000 women that were forced into serving as "comfort women" have never received retribution or compensation from the state for their plight.

This has led many of them in Korea to protest at the Japanese embassy demanding acknowledgement and retribution for the horrible atrocities that were imposed upon this class of unwilling prostitutes  and ultimately their families so many years ago.

What Does Any Of That Have To Do With The Church?  

Initially, one would would ask that question. What do "comfort women" in WWII have to do with anything going on in the church? How about asking this? Does the church or certain individuals within the church have their own form or version of "comfort women" or human trafficking operations? I would say, unfortunately, for some, YES they do. I will go into that but at this point I would like to first state that I will make attempts to speak with these ladies (victims) in effort that they may tell their story in their own words and at that time I will reveal all details associated with this, including the ministers name and church. I will do this IF there hasn't already been a gag order (legal agreement to silence) set in place upon the victims. We'll see.]

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The New "Normal"?...Is Kidnap Pedophilia On The Rise?

Currently, headline news is that Amanda Berry, her daughter, and 2 other captives have been discovered after at least 10 years of being imprisoned by 3 male captors. I don't think that there is any sane or rational person that believes that any of what she or her fellow captives experienced was or is normal in any way, however by all reports on the outside everything appeared to be a "normal" situation in a "normal" home in a "normal" neighborhood.

Thank God for Charles Ramsey, unafraid to help when he saw something wrong! 

In fact according to Charles Ramsey, when Amanda cried out for help, as he noticed her, she was dressed "normally" and even looking as "normal" as anyone else. Ramsey, a neighbor that lived next door, describes what he witnessed both that day and previously:

Ramsey said that had he known what was going on next door, that he would have killed the captor and caught a case of "triple murder" because he would have gotten involved.  

Looking back we should ask, what is the reason that pedophilia and kidnapping of children appears to be on the rise? Is this the new trend or what we can expect in the future? Is this another "sexual diversity" (perversion) that is seeking a place within society? 

The question is, what will society do to address the issue? Is this just another fledgling sexual diversity on the rise or is this a perversion that should be condemned? Further, how and on what basis should it be condemned?

The reason I ask for the basis upon which these atrocities should be condemned, is because the captives in most of these incidents don't speak up and out right away. For whatever reason, there is usually a time or a period of silence, or even a period where people discontinue a struggle to be free. 

What held Amanda so long and why she stayed can only be discovered in the future and over time. Why was it acceptable to run in that particular moment as opposed to others over the last 10 years? I am sure that there were other times that she was alone in the home. Even in this, we don;t see that the other ladies tried to escape with Amanda at all. We don't know, at this point, actually what happened. 

The only thing that it appears that we can do is pray for the full recovery of these ladies and that justice will be imposed against their captors. For sure, the answers to these and more questions may open many eyes. 

Blessed!

Pray for Charles first that he be saved and secondly that his strength doesn't fail with this media rollercoaster.

US News | Syria News | More ABC News Videos

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Understanding The Fallout & Consequences Of Sexual Abuse

If you've been sexually abused or victimized or are trying to overcome the burden of clergy or church related sexual abuse, call I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council (IMBKCAC) at (800)728-0352 or email us at Imbkcac@gmail.com for a confidential assessment of your situation and prayer. We know that there is a Balm in Gilead. 

Surprising as it may seem, advocating on behalf of victims of  sexual abuse can be a challenging task. Educating the public that there is a problem and that sexual abuse has a significant and ongoing consequence is more than half the battle. Why? It is because victims of sexual abuse appear to be and function like everyone else. They are Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, Pastors, Teachers, Professors, Bus Drivers, Deacons, Politicians, Business Owners and almost anything else you can name in society. They are religious, non-religious and even atheists. They are gay, they are straight, they are even celibate. They are the highly educated, they are self-driven, they are the educationally illiterate and the most slothful. they are children and in many cases grown folk who have trusted individuals even to their own hurt. There are no distinguishing marks, characteristics or boundaries by which their experience can be known, distinguished or determined. They are those who don't fit the "mold" whatever that "mold" is or might be.   

Distinguishing who they are or who has been abused is one thing. Assessing the damages associated with the abuse is another. For example, recently, I had a conversation with an attorney who has a substantial practice dealing with recovery from auto accidents and product negligence. When I explained a certain situation relating to victims needs as a result of sexual abuse, the first thing they asked was what were the damages? When I explained the mental and emotional trauma and the unwanted sexual advances and the crime in general, the attorney was still hard pressed to see the "damages" that would result in an award. You see, even though this person was trained in legal issues, in their mind, in order for their to be a recovery, there had to be an ongoing physical or visible damage in order to make the claim that one has been harmed. 

Sexual Abuse, "Damages" Not Readily Seen

Fact: "Less than 30% of sex crimes are reported"

Here is a listing of familiar names...

Oprah Winfrey, 

Tyler Perry, 

Queen Latifah,

Donnie McClurkin 

Suzanne Somers, 

Maya Angelou, 

Unless one knew their stories, one would hardly associate any of these people with sexual abuse of any kind because they are the "beautiful people" as the world accounts it. They are popular, successful, rich and famous. Certainly they have no problems, or at least not common problems right? Yet all of them have experienced abuse or some form of sexual crime perpetrated against them. All of them have felt at the end of their lives at a certain point in their life, prayed, and asked why this horrible crime of sexual abuse was done to them. All of them have dealt with feelings, inclinations, and emotions that they didn't ask for, and had to work their way through. Some of them, turned to promiscuity, some turned to homosexuality, some became religious, spiritual, and even highly versed in secular matters. Many others handle this sort of abuse in many different ways. Thank God, that all of these people survived, but stop and ask yourself for a minute, how many didn't make it? Yes, these have all survived, and become highly successful, but what they went through was nothing to envy by anyone not having their experience. To suggest that they hadn't been "damaged" by the actions of their aggressor would be an insult to any intelligent human being and especially to any Christian in touch with Christian moral values in view and in light of the fact that rape is a crime. 

Stigmas 

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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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Image, Assets & Liability Pt. 1..."Silent Associations"

This is the first of a three part series in which I will briefly examine the fallout from covering child sexual abuse in both the secular and religious world. 

Recently, in the news, we have witnessed organizations and individuals held liable for the abuse and mistreatment of individuals. Let's look at the first of a few examples:

Penn State University

"We're going to hold off on making a crime log entry. At this point in time I can justify that decision because of the lack of clear evidence of a crime."  email from Penn State Police Chief Thomas Harmon to Penn State President Gary Schultz regarding a mother's report to campus officials that Jerry Sandusky had engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with her 11 year old son. 

At Penn State University, we are witnessing a whole collegiate system being held accountable for covering up, shuffling off and otherwise accommodating ONE convicted and confused child molester and rapist Jerry Sandusky. I'm quite sure that none of the individuals who were aware of Sandusky's actions would have ever thought that they would be held accountable for what he was doing. They didn't understand that their silence was similar to them taking part in the rape and abuse of children as well. 

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Jerry Sandusky's Attorney, Joe Amendola

Mr. Amendola explains many things here including that the vilification of someone who is "alleged" to be a criminal is not and American value and that "alleged victims" aren't really victims until the case has been proven in court. Legally, he certainly has a point, but there seems to be something missing...I know this, if you know of abuse can stop or prevent it and you don't do so, that is immoral:

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Jerry Sandusky Denies It All

As far as Sandusky is concerned, it is all one big lie against him, except that he did, take showers with children, snapping towels, and horseplay and inadvertently touching a child with his genitals.

The Video Can Be Seen By Clicking HERE
(It would seem that Windows IE users can view video. Please inform us if you can't or if the link doesn't work.) 
Costas: It seems that if all of these allegations are false, you are the unluckiest and persecuted man that any of us have ever heard about
Sandusky: (chuckle)I don't know what you want me to say. I don't think that these have been the best days of my life.
**************
Costas: Are you a pedophile?
Sandusky: No.
Costas: Are you sexually attracted to young boys, to underaged boys?
Sandusky: Am I sexually attracted to underaged boys?
Costas: Yes...
Sandusky: Sexually attracted? Y'u-know no, I enjoy young people...I love to be around them...uuummm. I, I, but no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys.

Blessed:

Read:

What The Church Should Learn From The Penn State Sexual Abuse Scandal

Turning To God In Times Of Crisis, He Is Our Only Help

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Turning To God In Times Of Crisis, He Is Our Only Help!

Penn State University may have lost a hard fought, last home game of 2011 to a very talented Nebraska team, but as an institution, led by the young people that attend, and joined by the opposing team and fans, almost 100,000 turned to God before anything was done on Saturday November 12th. 

Pregame: Penn State (14) vs Nebraska (17) Penn State University 11/12/2011

In what can only be described as a surreal setting, and to the chagrin of atheists and other non believers, players from both teams, along with coaches and staff,  joined at midfield led in prayer by Ron Brown, one of the Nebraska Assistant coaches, for the victims of the unfolding sexual abuse scandal and for the strength and courage of all who have been so deeply effected by the revelation of abuse and the weeks current events. 

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When The Church Is Silent

The Podcast pertaining to this article is "What Has The Church Become Pt. 3" 

 Since her show in which Tyler Perry presented his startling revelations of childhood physical and sexual abuse, Oprah Winfrey has increased her conversation on the issue of sexual molestation especially as it pertains to men.

In her mini-series on the issue, Oprah has presented an audience and panel of guests consisting of over 200 men that have suffered and experienced sexual abuse at the hands of either parents, adults, or other family members, and yes…even religious leaders, during their lifetimes.

Two of the formerly abused include twins Patrick and Kevin who were 8 years old church workers who were sexually molested by their priest almost everyday for over 13 years. At one point the priests would pay them for their services as if they were prostitutes. One of the twins, Patrick, said:

"It started with just simple spanking,"… "I'd go over his knee, and he'd casually touch our private parts."

During the most horrific event, multiple priests gang raped he and his brother as if they were solely there for their perverted sexual pleasure. Kevin said:

"I can remember smelling alcohol on their breath,"..."[They] held us against our will."…”You go to school and come back and do your homework or slip in a little abuse during the day during school or after school,"

In my post, 'Have you been A Victim of Clergy Sexual Misconduct', we find that all abuse is evil, but sexual abuse from clergy seems to be especially gut wrenching because it is not only a violation of the spiritual body, but also of the spirit. This is the devastating effect of CSM and the effect that many of the gentleman on Oprah’s panel have discussed.

Where Is The Church?

Aside from shuffling offenders from place to place to cover their atrocities, or providing out of court settlements and loosing places of worship as a result of settlements or judgments that exceed insurance

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Are Your Children Safe At The Doctor?

One would never think in a million years that aside from potential germs, that the Dr's office could be an unsafe place, and that medical professionals entrusted with the most intimate details of our physical bodies would perpetrate terror upon children.

Then we enter the world of Dr. Earl Bradley who received a 160 page indictment on 471 counts of sexual crimes against 103 children some as young as 3 months old...3 MONTHS OLD! He is currently being held on $2.9 Million cash bond. This is one of the most tragic events I have ever seen. Aol News reports the following:

"Charges against Bradley include first-degree and second-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, sexual exploitation of a child and continuing sexual abuse of a child. "These were crimes committed against the most vulnerable among us -- those without voices," Biden said. The crimes were "committed by someone with whom an entire community and parents had placed their trust." Bradley was initially arrested on 33 felony charges, including rape and sexual exploitation of a child. That arrest came on Dec. 16 after a 2-year-old girl told her mother that Bradley had taken her into a basement room of his office and hurt her. A search warrant executed on Bradley's medical practice and home resulted in the discovery of more than 13 hours of video recordings depicting multiple incidents of child sexual abuse, authorities said. It remains unclear how many of the alleged victims in the recordings have been identified. The number of alleged victims has significantly increased throughout the course of the investigation, prosecutors said. They said they expect to add more counts to the already lengthy indictment."

The Biden in the story is the son of Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Beau Biden.  Mr. Biden stated that reports on this molester go back as far as 2005. CNN reports that this may even go back as far as 10 years. It is also reported that everyone has joined in the effort to make sure that Dr. Bradley never practices or sees the light of day again. The Delaware Board of Medical Practice revoked Bradley's medical license at a public hearing last week. and reportedly stated the following:

"The order entered by the board today furthers its mission of protecting the public," board President Raymond L. Moore Sr. told NewarkPostOnline.com. "Our actions to date reflect the seriousness of the charges and of the impact on the victims. We are imposing the most severe sanction available under our statute by permanently revoking the medical license of Earl Bradley, M.D."

There are plenty of questions about all of this such as how did the Dr. get alone time with the children?

Where were the other professionals in this practice? Did they notice anything strange over the years?

Why did it take the court so long to move and respond off of supposedly credible complaints over the years?

In short, it was the video evidence that is the most damaging. Hours of videos of children being abused. What a tragedy. Parents hold on to your babies. I know I will.

Blessed!

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