Video About Growing Up Under Gothard’s and Pearl’s Teachings

Kristiana Minor is interviewed by Chris Shelton in the long but very worthwhile video, Growing Up Quiverfull – The Duggar’s Destructive Cult. Because this video is over an hour long, I will provide an outline with times so you can skip to the parts you wish to watch. You can also read Kristiana’s story by…

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Testimony of Gentle Parenting

Gentle Christian Mothers has posted a testimony on her Facebook page. She includes a lovely photo of her 4 children, I do hope you will take a look. It is a public post so I do not believe that you need to have a Facebook account in order to view it. For your sharing convenience:TwitterFacebookemailPrintTumblrDiggdel.icio.usStumbleUponAdd…

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Lisa’s Response to Debi Pearl’s Prayer for the destruction of her enemies

Lisa has said very well what I have had neither the time nor energy to write so I am going to give her comments the exposure they deserve. In response to my post regarding Debi Pearl’s public prayer asking God to destroy her enemies, Lisa said: I read the article, also, and I was appalled.…

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Donia’s Testimony

Another testimony from someone who was “lovingly” spanked/hit by her well meaning Christian parents, and yet, was harmed. Pro-spankers, please do not dismiss these real stories. After all, if spanking is so “godly,” why do you call people harmed by spankings “spoiled brats? Here is Donia’s story: “This was how I was raised. Spanked ‘biblically’…

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Following God’s Word or Man’s?

Richard was kind enough to share his concerns with me here.   Dara responded to him with such a powerful testimony that I did not want to leave her words hidden in my comment section.  That is why I am reproducing her comment here. ****************************************************************************************** “How interesting, Hermana Linda, that you have determined that there are better ways to guide…

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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…

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I Was Wrong to Tell You to Stop Spanking Your Kid: An Open Letter of Apology…

I was wrong. You heard it here first. That time. At the mall. You hit your kid and I told you it wouldn’t help anything and asked you to stop. That was really dumb. Not because I’ve changed my mind and decided we should hit kids, but because I know better. That approach I took…

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More About the Old Schoolhouse and Abuse

Homeschoolers Anonymous has a new article about Homeschool Leaders covering up sexual abuse. (*trigger warning*) They focus on Paul and Gena Suarez of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, who I have mentioned before.  They are assisted in this story by Eric Novak who used to work for The Old Schoolhouse and was close to the family. The reason I…

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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. For your sharing convenience:TwitterFacebookemailPrintTumblrDiggdel.icio.usStumbleUponAdd to favoritesReddit

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Victoria Strong Analyses The Strong-Willed Child by James Dobson

Victoria Strong blames her abusive childhood on the teachings of Dr. James Dobson and is now reviewing his book, The Strong-Willed Child.  She explains why in this heartbreaking quote: So that is why I’m reviewing this book. I need to know what it says. I need some answers as to why my parents seemed to…

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A Father Of Four’s Journey To Gentle Discipline

Samuel Martin has shared a lovely letter from a father of four boys who decided to give up spanking after reading his book.  Here is a short excerpt. …What mattered was that the Bible told us to spank. I figured we would talk it through and I would defend the biblical position. In my mind, if…

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Bill Gothard In The Spotlight After Abuse Allegations

World Mag Reports that Bill Gothard has been placed on administrative leave while they research recent  allegations of abuse. Here is the story from the Christian Post. Naturally this story has impacted many people. Here is a testimony from Micah Murray which reflects on this news as he looks at Growing Up in Bill Gothard’s Homeschool…

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Why Heather Schopp Stopped Spanking

Heather Schopp explains how she came to give up spanking in this testimony shared on Samuel Martin’s blog. This blog post is part of a Facebook discussion found here. Dara Stoltzfus has this and other testimonies here. For your sharing convenience:TwitterFacebookemailPrintTumblrDiggdel.icio.usStumbleUponAdd to favoritesReddit

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Bringing Out The Best In Our Children

Sara Mae shares how spanking was affecting her 2 1/2 year old’s self esteem and why she and her husband decided to stop in How Gentleness Makes Our Children Great. Dara Stoltzfus also has noticed the importance of  a child’s self-worth and explains how we can encourage their inner beauty in Princes and Princesses on…

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Katie Botkin Looks at Spanking

Katie Botkin looks back at how spanking affected her childish behavior and discusses her problems with it in Corporality. She then looks at how spanking can lead to acceptance of abuse and sexual disorders in Corporality, part II: When Love Is Pain. For your sharing convenience:TwitterFacebookemailPrintTumblrDiggdel.icio.usStumbleUponAdd to favoritesReddit

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Sarah Presswood’s Testimony and a Comment from Kysyra

I got a nice message on the Facebook Page from Sarah Presswood which she graciously gave me permission to share. I am so grateful that I found your site. My parents used To Train Up A Child by the Pearls and taught/utilized Growing Kids Gods Way as their parenting guides my entire childhood and adolescence.…

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