Michael & Debi Pearl: Helpful or Harmful? – Pastor Peter Vik

I found this video very well worth the time. They explain their concerns with the teachings of the Pearls and of Bill Gothard very well. Pastor Vik states that he is not against all corporeal punishment, which makes this good to share with pro-spanking Christians who will not consider any arguments from non-spankers.

Read More

Changes at NGJ

I came across this blog post by Suzanne Titkemeyer at Pathos which has some recent updates at NGJ of which I was not aware. Apparently, someone else is running it now and they are softening their image. This is important because the more they hide their abuse, the more insidious they become.

Read More

Remembering Lydia as the Pearls are in the news once again

Tulip Girl has an important post which I must share with you on this 8th anniversary of Lydia’s death. I have shared these posts on my Facebook page, it’s time to put them here, as well: Joy-Anna Duggar’s Husband Associated With Child Abuse Scandal from CafeMom Family Of Joy-Anna Duggar’s Husband Hosting Couple Accused Of…

Read More

Social Expectations and Abuse

This article by Claire Roise looks at how society’s views of cigarettes and seat belts have changed over the years and how it would look if abuse followed suit.  It is a very interesting article and I recommend it highly. I remember the changes she discusses quite well. (I was an oddball child who insisted on wearing…

Read More

More Reactions to the Duggar Situation

There is SO much being written about the Duggars. In an effort to please everyone, I decided to stop posting everything I saw on this blog’s Facebook Page and start posting it on my Facebook Account’s wall.  This way, those who want to see everything I share in real time can friend me and those who rather just…

Read More

A Voice For The Victims

Victimhood is a very personal thing. Many survivors of abuse are finding their voices and are making a valient effort to speak for these victims. Some are saying that it increases the pain of the victims and that we should stop. Others are saying that we must speak out in order to give a voice to the…

Read More

Rebecca’s Review of 13:24

Rebecca has written a very helpful review of the crime thriller 13:24 by M. Dolon Hickmon.  This review explains how triggering this novel is for victims of abuse and why it is not appropriate for everyone.  I, for one, appreciate the warning. Please see the conversation which ensued between M Dolon Hickmon, myself and Rebecca Diamond on…

Read More

Update in the Barbour Case

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has an update on the Barbour Case which focuses on the children involved and their new life and healing.  It’s so wonderful to post some good news for a change! In case you missed them, here are my previous posts about the Barbour case.  

Read More

Life Sentence for Killing Child While Trying To Break his Will

Markiece Palmer has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the beating death of Roderick “RJ” Arrington. This was another case of parents abusing their child in the name of religion. The part I found intersting about this case was that the judge condemned him for his attempt to break…

Read More

The Risk of Unintended Sexual Abuse Through Spanking

Homeschoolers Anonymous is running a series called, “Hurts Me More Than You,” from which I came across this testimony about the very real and tragic risk of unintended sexual abuse through spanking. If there were no other arguments against spanking, this one would be enough. Some time ago a pastor and some of his flock…

Read More

Maj. John and Carolyn Jackson on trial for abuse

I just found out about a new abuse trial, that of Army Maj. John E. Jackson and his wife, Carolyn.  The North Jersey Record writes about the case here.  It involves 3 adopted children, one of whom died some time ago (which they are now investigating due to the findings of abuse of the other 2.)…

Read More

Carri Williams Appeals

Maureen shares an update of the Barbour case, in which Kristen Barbour was sentenced to 6-12 months for pleading no contest to the felony charge of endangering her 2 adopted Ethiopian children.  What I find most surprising is that she will be allowed to go home and take care of her children for 40 hours per week. This…

Read More

Repenting of Christian Spanking

M. Dolon Hickman shares his testimony and background of how he came to write his book, “13:24“ as well as how his father repented of his abuse in, My Father Repented of “Christian Spanking” Too Late.

Read More

About Adrian Peterson

Crystal Lutton discusses responses to the Adrian Peterson case. Speaking of Crystal Lutton, she also explains what the Bible says about spanking. When considering Adrian Peterson, Rebecca Diamond says that she was spanked and she turned out… well, you’ll have to read her post to find out. Jennifer McGrail compares Adrian Peterson with Ray Rice in Hitting…

Read More

Another case of abuse

There are so many tragic cases of abuse, I don’t usually mention them unless the abuse was clearly tied to Christian teachings.  In the case of the Barbours the ties are not indisputable, but there are some pretty good hints.  Thankfully, this case did not end in death. Maureen compares the Barbours with the Williams and finds…

Read More

The Truth About The Old Schoolhouse

I have warned people about the Old Schoolhouse before, telling them that its founders, Paul and Gena Suarez, promoted the Pearls’ teachings and defended them.  When I visit their Facebook page, I am always surprised to see that some of my friends like that page.  Maybe the fact that they support and defend the Pearls (while old news)…

Read More

Doug Phillips Being Sued By Former Nanny

Doug Phillips stepped down last October after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a woman. On March 27, the Christian Post reported that he was threatening his closest friends of conspiring to destroy him. On April 14, WND reported that Lourdes Torres, Doug Phillips former nanny, was suing him. Vision Forum denied the allegations on…

Read More

Child Abuse in Germany

Jennifer Stahl has been explaining about child abuse going on in German churches on her Blog, Yeshua Hineni. In this post she writes about the Pearl’s book To Train Up A Child which, while not being sold, is available “under the table.”  She Translates and transcribes a video about the concerns one woman has for…

Read More

How Could They?

Under Much Grace looks at how parents find themselves falling into abusive teachings in A Film that Helps Us Understand Why Pearl Becomes Appealing: How do parents get caught up in extreme practices? Also of interest, she reflects on the Williams Trial in Homeschooling, Hana Williams and the “Rod of Man.”  

Read More

How Many Churches Allow and Even Encourage Abuse

Valerie Tarico looks at the problem of  Christian discipline leading to abuse in “Bible-based” discipline has led to child abuse in Salon Magazine.  I am seeing non-believers getting more and more concerned with this issue and rightly so.  It breaks my heart that abusive Christians are giving Christianity a bad name.  Of course, it is only…

Read More

Why Not Regulate Homeschoolers?

I was asked in the comments to my post, The Beast Look At  Homeschooling, why I believe that regulation of homeschooling is a slippery slope and what would be appropriate oversight to prevent abuse. My opinion is that parents are responsible for their children, the state is not. I do not believe that the state…

Read More

The Beast Looks At Homeschooling

The Daily Beast looks at the problem of certain parents who use homeschooling as a way to hide their abuse  in The Sinister Side of Homeschooling.  This article does make it clear that homeschooling is usually not done as an excuse to abuse and that most homeschooling parents are not abusive.  However, the author of…

Read More

To Break Down A Child – Stories Of Life Under Pearl’s Teachings

Last Week, I mentioned that Homeschoolers Anonymous was collecting stories and testimonies from those who were affected by Pearl’s teachings.   Well, their “Pearl-Style Discipline Week” is over, so I thought I would link to their collection of tragic stories.  This series is not for the sensitive and/or easily triggered.  I especially want to highlight…

Read More

Getting Rid Of Weeds

Dara Stoltzfus compares bad behavior in our children to Weeds in a Garden and comes up with some interesting allegories. This is a little off topic, but I just came across a news story about a family who noticed their very gentle dog acting aggressively towards the baby sitter. They left a device under the…

Read More

A Survivor Speaks

M. Dolon Hickmon shares about the abuse he endured while growing up and how being spanked “The Right Way” almost destroyed him in this (*triggering*) letter he wrote to Michael Pearl.  This post serves to introduce his Opus (a work of fiction)  which apparently needs backers. However, it does seem like it could be of interest to…

Read More

The Williams Trial – Day 26: Closing Arguments Start

Today, Wednesday, Sept 4, 2013 the Prosecutor and Defense for Larry Williams gave their closing arguments.  As always, anything to do with this trial has a serious *trigger warning* and the closing arguments are no exception.  In fact, I can’t stress enough how disturbing this whole thing is.  I am having a hard time figuring out…

Read More