Q. Hours on knees in prayer? A. Seriously! That's a bit personal. You just called me a liar. Archbishop Laud. You are entitled to your opinion, of course. For the longest time (and in some part, still even now) I too wouldn't believe the truth either. I personally have been called worse. I think it's a shame that you are still under the delusions but in the meantime it is
Forum: Destructive Churches

Archbishop Laud, Hello . While we are here to share and that means something different for everyone, to deny child abuse within smc and say suggesting it is unsafe and unwise is, itself, unhelpful. Define a robust court please, because there is a growing pool of evidence and I know what I've seen. Not only that, but it seems that with a couple of comments, you momentarily forgot the testim
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Hahaha, I love this forum too and firmly agree that we are all able to negociate finer details and we are trying to keep positive, without being in denial. What was really funny though, ThePetitor, was how you just burst into that post. lol very, very much. :) True though, right now the emphasis is on individuals who have suffered. They count them all and treat each separately. They are not pai
Forum: Destructive Churches

I don't want to suggest the unthinkable either, CovLass. But the insular culture of smc is exactly what creates ideal backdrop for the protection of offenders, the ilk of predatory Jimmy Savile types. I wonder if a young girl being questioned by unqualified people regarding her sexual "sin" would be qualified as child abuse with the emphasis on the sexual area. I know I have had t
Forum: Destructive Churches

ThePetitor, I see what you mean about charity status. Associated financial assistance aside, being a charity is crucial. It is a good indicator of a group's honest intentions and their credibility. How would one explain to a potential new member that they used to be a charity, but then, for some complicated reason, decided to not be a charity any more? Probably they could blame it on a sma
Forum: Destructive Churches

ThePetitor, I am pretty sure charity status is the least of their worries. Yep, of course they will "pass" inspections and instigate "changes" wherever they have to. Thanks to brave survivors here the word has spread and awareness is up. I am definitely no gambler but I'm guessing they will be reduced to the absurd core. Back to just a house-size group of the equally mis
Forum: Destructive Churches

Progress has been made. Good. Thanks to people here who have openly shared, concern about smc widened. Accusing by name puts more onera on the relevant (and often mentioned) authorities. Results will be made available on respective websites...Charity guys, Care Commission (whatever they are now..), HMIE, etc. Freedom of Info is usually free for those concerned, especially victims. Acknowledge
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Thanks cbarb, I'm just going to put son to bed and will do some reading. I feel I need updating. They provide ammunition themselves usually. Not very clever...or maybe even in a bit of disarray. Or just so arrogant they think they are untouchable? Your first link to latigo shows all. Smc is no longer a church for grown-ups. It is self-serving and weak. I have stopped using Struther's
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Gordon, sorry, I totally didn't mean you are thoughtless. I am just trying to expand on the whole mental health issue. As in: there are several personality types that are easily preyed on and damaged. The predators themselves we descibe as personality disorders too. I've been getting treatment for anxiety for 10 years though hid symptoms for way longer. Bea, can I just say how sick t
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Yep, you're right Rensil. (Ambiguity has its drawbacks...). There's Falkirk and Edinburgh left. I remember a Gorebridge outpost (disaffiliated or gone..not sure), Wallyford, Tranent (is now a different fellowship). There were other fledgling flocks that maybe just never got the numbers to need a community buiding. I'm not sure if the list was on Latigo...but I saw a list somewhere
Forum: Destructive Churches

Gordon, my friend, I have to fundamentally disagree with you on the point of being free to leave and shaking the dust off your feet. I wish I was that level-headed. I know many who are not. Add in the fear that you will be especially punished by God for leaving or questioning; then you create the perfect conditions for a certain type of person to become enmeshed, enslaved, controlled. Age and k
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Triple X-rated church ( I use the term "church" loosely now..). Lol, Cbarb! That sums it up. I have been recently telling all kinds of people about my time attending SMC. Ok I agree that, in some places in some times, " more fervent prayer" is acceptable and appropriate. Every man and woman I have recanted tales to have been horrified. I tried even to put a rational spin on
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Rensil the PVG scheme is implemented across the board. I didn't know that disclosures were always done, even back in the day. I do know that our youth leaders were not shifty with our parents. They'd often come in for a cuppa and chat. Nothing was secretive or furtive. My knowledge of ways and practices of smc are apparently wrong, or at least out-or-date. However, I have only just tol
Forum: Destructive Churches

Howdy all y'all. Just got an update re; vulnerable children (and indeed adults). Care Commission currently are responsible for many aspects of care. Certainly anything residential (fee-paying or not). Legally, all adults spending time with children or vulnerable adults, must have Enhanced Disclosures. (This is not the way I would have it, but in an environment that operates secretively.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hey Cbarb and Rensil. Thanks for your support. It is comfort indeed. I don't have a problem with God at all, nope never did. Always, I could read and interpret for myself. The good folk I remember at Struthers never tried to narrow or stifle, but they were there to help make sense of stuff. It is as has been said here already. A leadership problem. My real concern in going through these pos
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Hi all. Initially I'd like to introduce myself, but can't really. I have family who are still very much "in". I am already the black sheep and "do drugs", drink etc (Actually this is a misconception that I cannot rectify without blowing apart other myths and lies that have been perpetuated within my wider family, since before I was born.) so anything that blows back
Forum: Destructive Churches