I am aware of at least two cases of sexual abuse by high-ranking ministries where the victim was told to be quiet and it was covered up. The first case was during John's reign and the second during G&M's. I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences, Larry and Nickleandimed.

NickleandDimed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lot of agreement among men here. Sometimes G&M
> gave direction. Not always. Why can't you see
> that. Is it because you were taught at all cost to
> protect your fellow ministry. I said to
> changedagain before. The harm I received was not a
> result of direction from G&M. Because of my mom. M
> never abused me. Neither did G for that matter.
> Those sexually abused by ministries didn't get
> that direction from G&M. It's pretty sickening to
> see you pat each other on the back here.

I was never in the inner circle so to speak, and frankly didn't want to be. I felt comfortable going up and talking to JRS and G&M, but never really wanted to hang out with them. I will just say there were a lot of Cheerleaders in the bunch, and I would be at times if I'm truthful about it. I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I'm sure I did at times. I was judgmental at times of people not doing what they were told to do. Like when they closed down Anaheim and some of the ministries/APCO didn't want to go to GC. I don't know why I was, since John suggested my wife and I go to Anaheim for a while when we got married. We did out of obedience for a very very short while, and then went back to GC without asking. Pharisee comes to mind on my part.

I do agree with you on this one.

GSchaeff Wrote:

> The number is much, much higher than 3 by the way.
> Larry, I'm very sorry to hear about your
> experience also. I hope you taking the courage to
> share it will wake some current members up.
Yes

GSchaeff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Puddington,
>
> Exactly. If any current member is reading this and
> doubting whether John, Marilyn or Gary are
> culpable in perpetuating a culture of abuse, ask
> yourself this simple question:
>
> "Here we have at least three people on this page
> alone who have spoken about sexual assault in the
> church. Why has there never been a formal
> investigation into any of these pastors, why were
> the police never notified about this?"
>
> The answer is just as you described. "This is
> collateral damage, and there's always going to be
> casualties." It went under the rug to protect
> Gary's kingdom.
>
> The number is much, much higher than 3 by the way.
> Larry, I'm very sorry to hear about your
> experience also. I hope you taking the courage to
> share it will wake some current members up.

Investigation? If it was done and other people knew about it, why didn't somebody kick some butt?

GoingRogue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am aware of at least two cases of sexual abuse
> by high-ranking ministries where the victim was
> told to be quiet and it was covered up. The first
> case was during John's reign and the second during
> G&M's. I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences,
> Larry and Nickleandimed.

If the victim was told to be quiet, then it is wrong. I can see the victim maybe not wanting anyone to know, like in Larry's situation, but not to protect the guilty.

SouthGate, we have people on here stating that this sort of thing was being actively covered up--with more than a few of them relaying personal accounts. To that end, you seem a little incredulous. I'm curious as to if that's your intent or if I'm misreading you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2018 07:20AM by GSchaeff.

GSchaeff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SouthGate, we have people on here stating that
> this sort of thing was being actively covered
> up--with more than a few of them relaying personal
> accounts. To that end, you seem a little
> incredulous. I'm curious as to if that's your
> intent or if I'm misreading you.

Seems to me, you and I have the same problem. :)

I'm not condoning any wrong doing at all, and I'm not saying that things didn't happen. Pisses me off that it did and I didn't know about it. All I'm saying is I can see that some people that were victims might not want it to be broadcast to other people. The guilty should have it broadcast to all the members. David in the bible did a terrible thing and we still get to read about it.

I agree with that. I'm trying to heed NickleandDimed's advice: people should feel free to post about any injustices they faced.

It can be a delicate needle to thread between not digressing into a by-name rumor mill and feeling free to share personal testimony without being called a liar. Both arguments have a lot of merit, good point.

In an atmosphere of strict obedience, people are not just kept silent, they will never consider doing anything or maybe they don't believe anything can be done. That is why the level of mind control is so abusive and complete. People are congviince they have no value and can do nothing outside of their group. Time and again I have heard someone say, as the perpetrator moves on to their next woman, "oh that will never happen again, not now that his is with ________." Fill in the blank with the next victim.

SouthGate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> If the victim was told to be quiet, then it is
> wrong. I can see the victim maybe not wanting
> anyone to know, like in Larry's situation, but not
> to protect the guilty.

No, SouthGate. The victim was told not to tell ANYONE. When they did tell someone, both of the victims that I am personally aware of were called liars and ostracized.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2018 08:53AM by GoingRogue.