Hi Puddington,
I believe you nailed it.
often time abusers do not realize they abuse. That pattern of behavior may be all they had known themselves. Of course they will not seek help but make excuses and justify their action, "YOU made me do it." to the victims.
Victims are silent.they may feel they were all at fault. the idea planted by the abuser.
I have pointed out before about the #metoo movement. Even as a long timer abuse survivor I question WHY no one spoke up at the time. I feel like some women are wrongfully riding the wave for a new found fame.
I pray for wisdom/ discernment as the depths of the fraud and abuse is exposed. We have to take necessary precautions to avoid frauds riding the #metoo wave the walk do not blow it for the rest of us by seeking self fame with not truths. or to cast dispersion s on our claims.
In general the abuser instills fear; fear of loosing a job, fear of loosing reputation; fear of rejection.. Fear of no one loving them. Shame that is unbearable. then victims think they are alone with no where to go. No one to believe them that is where most of us in this group had been for years. the Catholic church is a huge example of that .. like.. forever that was acceptable. to leave Catholicism was a sure fire ticket to hell. The walk is not that different from any other clergy "privileged position. Disgustingly being a a "man of the cloth" is the perfect cover for all kinds of abuse.
What scriptures says, 'Not every one who cries Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven." when I memorized that verse at age 10 I thought it meant me. That I might sin and not get into heaven.
Now seeing more clearly I realize that "not taking the lords name in vain" may not have been the swearing issue either. I think the verses could mean wolves in sheep clothing who use all the right words to profess the love of god in the name of Jesus with hand on the Bible or First Principals could be liars mis-using the word of god to take advantage of the flock.
of course the Bro want to white wash so they don't get caught and go to prison. Those who think they are so high and mighty may be so mentally sick that they feel their "godliness is above the law."
Jesus said " obey the laws of the land." He never told the disciples "to pick and chose the laws because they had the 'leading of the lord,'" did He?
Our leaders not only took the lords name in vein, literally, because " they weren't under the law," did we hear that statement all too often? Their actions were not consistent with the mainstream accepted version of the old testament nor the New.
But they cried "Lord Lord" and never meant it to cry out to god of the Abraham. They cried lord, lord to exalt themselves at the flocks expense because so many were abusers or they tried to survive abuse themselves by being an obedient minion of a fake jesus or queen of heaven.
Why would we expect them to confess of crimes against the people? to squeal to the law enforcement would be to reveal their own part of neglect. they would have to testify against themselves for being negligent of their legal responsibility. too many "ordained by god" knew too much and they got stuck in way too deep in what the law deem to be a felony.
I debated whether to copy and paste all of legal post on felony child abuse. I am only going to give a link to a very enlightening post that is extremely relevant to the above discuss on why m & G tried to put so many into position of 'clergy' or study hall monitor or what ever the counters are to try to avoid the law of people being mandatory reporters.
I hope you read this link and I'd love your feedback on whether my thoughts seems to fit the bill . Please note the act of " omission".
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criminal-law.freeadvice.com]