Looking Beyond

"Jesus Knows"

“Jesus Knows”

When the Editorial Board asked me to write this post, I warned them I would go “heavy on grace and redemption”. Chuckles and the rest said that was fine. In fact, they know me well enough to expect nothing else. The gist of the post is to follow up now that Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (G.R.A.C.E.) is done with the initial survey at BJU, plus try and bring everybody back to a “center point” given the years of neglect both on Wade Hampton Blvd and elsewhere. Frankly, given the venom we’ve seen by people attempting to intimidate victims and the “gee, shucks, thanks” attitude from none other than Stephen Jones himself – well, it just strengthens our resolve here at Chuckles Travels to be there for all of you who hurt so badly to this day. Oh, and a word of caution for those whose faith has either been pressed to the limit or who don’t believe there is a God anyway. If you’ve read me before, you know I don’t pull punches in that area. You also know I won’t clobber you over the head with my beliefs or my Bible. You’ve seen enough of that to last you a lifetime. OK, here we go …

I’ve been privileged to be part of a team teaching a class on the C.S. Lewis classic Mere Christianity. I’ve read excerpts many times before, but this is has provided a chance to really dig into the book and understand the perspective from which Lewis wrote it. Couple this study with so many other books, talks, and material I’ve come across during the past few years of my journey and I am more convinced than ever that God – and I’m talking the God of Christianity here – is good and trustworthy. His ultimate act of grace and redemption in Jesus is beyond adequate thoughts and words. All the stories we’ve read that talk about some angry, vindictive God who punishes people and causes the strife we see are just plain bunk. Oh, I know he offers correction at times, but it never comes in the punitive form we’ve been taught in so many, many times. He is always the loving Father we long for. It’s the people who have twisted this that cause all the harm. I don’t have to mention names – you all know what was represented to you by some of these monsters. And then the had the nerve to come back at you and say it was all for your own good (or because of your sin) and that you need to “get over it”. Yep – that “bitter card” just keeps coming out of their hands.    

Jesus Holding Girl

But I’d like to challenge you to look deep into your own soul. The very design of it is for a loving relationship. The core of your being longs to be rescued. It shouts out – sometimes into what only seems like darkness – for somebody to care. And I can point you to the answer, but it won’t’ necessarily look like you think it should. I know some of you are asking, “Where was God when I was beaten and abused?” That’s a fair question and I don’t take it lightly. I will offer the answer, “He was right there” but I won’t do so in some flippant way. Much like the author of The Shack came to know in that powerful allegory, the abuse and neglect do hurt God. He had such better designs for our world – but he also wasn’t going to force anybody to love him. He knew that would be a hollow thing in the end. So he gave the beings he created choice. And, as Lewis and so many others tell us, with the choice comes the ability to select both good and evil.

The men and women who abused and accused you would minimize this aspect of God and also the impact of the Evil One. Yes, I believe that Satan is a real being and I believe he is intent on doing as much damage as possible. He is the one who brought your tormentors to do what they do. It wasn’t because of your “bad” – it was because of their choice to see God as a punisher and be agents of evil. They may have even thought they were bringing “God’s correction” but they knew nothing about his love and they were never in a position to help. Their own egos and needs took over and they did not do God’s work, instead choosing to perpetrate evil. But even this dark side of the story has the chance for a happier ending.

You, my friend, hold the keys to your own destiny. You have that same power of free will. You can choose to enter into the Mystery of who God really is and what he has promised to do for us. This is the same God that used even the evil done on poor Joseph to save a nation – in fact, save the known world. This is the same God who stands like the Prodigal Father ready to welcome us, dress us, and feed us lavishly. We can choose to run toward him through our Divine Brother. It will not undo the past. In some cases, those who did the evil things may appear to “get away with it” as even our laws fail to bind them. But I can promise that God will redeem it all and will never tell us to “get over it”. Instead, he will wrap us in his arms and encourage us to look beyond and find Him.

He may ask us to tell our stories to others so that the cycles of neglect and abuse can be broken. He may ask us to seek legal justice so that people are punished for their crimes. But whatever he does, he has promised to be with us and love us. He is not the “vending machine” God of the fundamentalists. He will not be “tamed” like they want him to be. His love is, as Brennan Manning put it, a reckless and ravenous thing. And he welcomes all without regard to what has happened. He tells us we are not some flawed, reprobate beings. He calls us his own children and he laughs and delights to see us come. Looking beyond is possible because he has already provided for it … and he invites us to see things as he does. He invites us to take his hand, experience his grace, and know we aren’t alone anymore.

May you find his peace in a new way today …

C.P. Traveler

Woe Unto You Who Call Good Evil and Evil Good!

Schaap

http://chucklestravels.com/2013/03/14/sick-puppy-jack-schaap/

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Isaiah 5:20

The Prosecution’s sentencing memorandum has been published online.   LINK

A few quotes along with my (Chuckles) thoughts:

“Schaap later lied to his staff when they grew concerned about the amount of time he spent with the girl by claiming the girl was on her period and was just resting on his couch.”

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE?

Who thinks it’s normal for any pastor to know when a girl is on her period?

“Now she’s had to transfer schools, and her family was told it wasn’t safe for them to return to the church, according to letters from her parents.”

Again!  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL THOSE PEOPLE?

Why was she told it wasn’t safe to return to her church? Was she being threatened or had something happened to her at church?

Are some of these people making it unsafe for the victim the same people who sat idly behind him and remained mute while Jack Schaap demonstrated masturbation at a youth conference?

Are these people making it unsafe for the victim the same folks who listened and remained silent while he said from the pulpit the vile things  contained in the video below about teen girls less that one month before he was arrested?

Starting near the middle of page 17 of the sentencing memorandum:

“As mentioned in her letters, the victim is participating in regular psychotherapy to help her cope with this incredibly difficult situation and her evolving feelings for the Defendant. Undersigned counsel has met with many victims during the time she has been prosecuting sex offenses but has never before worked with one who was groomed and sexually abused by a religious figure who expertly used his “inside track” to God to justify his illegal conduct to his victim.”

To the victim and the victims family.  We here at Chucklestravels hurt for you.  You’ve suffered enough.  Those people at FBCH were never your friends.   They aren’t Godly either.  They’re going to have a lot to answer for to their Maker.

Ezekial 34:1-10 The Message says:

God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, ‘God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed sheep? You drink the milk, you make clothes from the wool, you roast the lambs, but you don’t feed the sheep. You don’t build up the weak ones, don’t heal the sick, don’t doctor the injured, don’t go after the strays, don’t look for the lost. You bully and badger them. And now they’re scattered every which way because there was no shepherd—scattered and easy pickings for wolves and coyotes. Scattered—my sheep!—exposed and vulnerable across mountains and hills. My sheep scattered all over the world, and no one out looking for them!

7-9 “‘Therefore, shepherds, listen to the Message of God: As sure as I am the living God—Decree of God, the Master—because my sheep have been turned into mere prey, into easy meals for wolves because you shepherds ignored them and only fed yourselves, listen to what God has to say:

10 “‘Watch out! I’m coming down on the shepherds and taking my sheep back. They’re fired as shepherds of my sheep. No more shepherds who just feed themselves! I’ll rescue my sheep from their greed. They’re not going to feed off my sheep any longer!

Does Timothy and Robbie (Ford) Johnson Have Amnesia?

We here at Chucklestravels have been informed, Timothy Johnson is claiming he knew of no abuse at New Bethany.

Starting with the second paragraph from the  legal document at the bottom of this post;

The purpose of this special session was the disposing of properties owned and operated by the New Bethany Home for Girls, Inc.   Having lost state and federal cases with no further recourse available it has become necessary to seek other options for holdings.

A motion was made by Timothy Johnson that New Bethany Home for Girls, Inc. be closed permanently…. (Emphasis Chucklestravels)

We present to you,  a statement from a New Bethany Survivor who contend his wife, Robbie (Ford) Johnson knew.  Tim was on the Board of New Bethany?

Tim and Robbie Johnson

Tim and Robbie Johnson

“There has been some discussion about whether or not Brother Ford ever sexually abused anyone.” 

“Yes, he did. I will tell my story on here sometime. I’ve told it to ___, but never have posted it here.” 

“He took advantage of his position of authority. His family is aware of these things. Robbie (Ford) helped me get away from New Bethany when I was in a “situation” with him. She did it out of love for her mother.”

“I do understand that if you found peace and help and had your life turned around for the better at New Bethany, it’s hard to hear him being accused of sexual abuse. But we know that we as people are capable of doing both very good and very bad things.”

:Try to understand where women here who defend Ford are coming from. It’s very painful to hear that the man you respected apparently betrayed your confidence and trust by having sexual contact with your friends.”

“And please be extra gentle with women here who talk about how Brother Ford abused them. It did happen. It happened to me.”

“I think one problem we have when we try to talk about these things here is that we were teenagers when we lived at New Bethany, and when we try to talk about it now, we return emotionally to those days. Just like sometimes when we’re with our parents and siblings, we return to the emotions we had when we lived at home.” 

“We don’t live there anymore. I hope we can talk about these things with perspective now.”

“Peace to all, “

New Bethany Survivor (Survivors name redacted by Chuckles for privacy)

New Bethany Tim Johnson Board Member

Who are we to believe?

Tim and Robbie?

….Or our lying eyes?

You decide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Mack Ford is far more prolific alleged child sex abuser than Jerry Sandusky.
    • Bienville Parish Sheriff Department what’s the deal?
    • Bienville Parish District Attorney WHY didn’t you prosecute?
    • Federal Bureau of  Investigation why didn’t you follow-up when it was reported that Mack Ford raped girls acrosss state lines?
    • It’s not too late.  Some New Bethany Survivors who allege being raped by Mack Ford, Statute of Limitations has NOT expired! nb-meme

Emeli Sande Read All About It Part 3

You’ve got the words to change a nation

but you’re biting your tongue

You’ve spent a life time stuck in silence afraid you’ll say something wrong

If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?

So come, on come on Come on, come on

You’ve got a heart as loud as lions So why let your voice be tamed?

Baby we’re a little different there’s no need to be ashamed

You’ve got the light to fight the shadow so stop hiding it away

Come on, Come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dry out

so put it in all of the papers,I’m not afraid

they can read all about it read all about it

oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh
At night we’re waking up the neighbors while we sing away the blues

making sure that we remember yeah cause we all matter too 

if the truth has been forbidden then we’re breaking all the rules 

so come on, come on come on, come on,

let’s get the tv and the radio to play our tune again

 its ’bout time we got some airplay of our version of events 

there’s no need to be afraid I will sing with you my friend Come on, come on[ 

I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dry out

so put it in all of the papers, i’m not afraid

they can read all about it read all about it

ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-oh

Yeah we’re all wonderful, wonderful people 

so when did we all get so fearful? 

Now we’re finally finding our voices so take a chance, come help me sing this,

Yeah we’re all wonderful, wonderful people so when did we all get so fearful?

and now we’re finally finding our voices, so take a chance, come help me sing this
I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dry out

so put it in all of the papers, i’m not afraid

they can read all about it read all about it

ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-ohoh-oh-oh
I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dry out.

so put it in all of the papers,

I’m not afraid

they can read all about it read all about it oh

Willful Ignorance and Brave Responses

We have people such as “Muggle” (Link to original comment) who like to  show their willful ignorance by posting comments such as the following:

Why are these “reliable” sources always nothing more than unsubstantiated, anonymous unconfirmed rumors. When and where will the victims have the courage to come forth and go on record with their stories and present their evidence? I have even read the explanations to justify the arguments that no one should expect any “evidence” to b e presented–that we should just accept all the rumors and stories as true without it. What an incredible piece of logic. Boy, that makes sense if there is any intention of seeking justice, especially in a court of law.

We have pastors such as Marc Monte call victims “psycho’s.”  Chucklestravels blogged about Monte LINK.

After another survivor, Linda Fossen, took Monte to task, I Am An Abuse Survivor – Not A Psycho LINK, Marc Monte sent Linda Fossen an email apparently trying to get Linda to help calm the storm he created.  Linda Fossen responds to Monte’s email HERE and HERE.

We have survivors who have stepped forward and allowed the Editorial Board of Chucklestravels blog to post their accounts.  LINK

One brave young lady, named Kim wrote Chuckles this morning after she read Muggle’s comment.  She asked if we would post her account as rebuttal to “Muggle.”  We are posting her account, as it was written by Kim from the comment section( LINK,) unchanged and unedited.  Sadly, it seems it doesn’t matter how many accounts people like “Muggle” and Monti read, they still find a way to deny the victims are telling the truth.  We pray. our past experience isn’t true in this case.

.

I was raised IFB – my family lived and breathed it. My mother graduated from Bob Jones University All of my aunts and uncles attended Bob Jones University. My grand-father is a well-known IFB pastor who is also a graduate of Bob Jones University. I was never given a choice. From elementary school, I KNEW I would attend BJU, or be literally kicked out of the family on my ear. My father was accused of sexually molesting little girls while in my grand-father’s church in Pennsylvania. We were packed up and moved in the middle of the night to Tennessee. My grand-father had made the connection to this other church. The pastor friend of my grand-father was another Bob Jones University ‘preacher-boy’ graduate. My grand-father didn’t believe my father was molesting the little girls. Unfortunately my father didn’t stop. My father molested me and my little sister too.
The first time I tried to tell, my mother first began to sob. Then she called my grand-father. He told my mother not to go to the police, (because those evil police and social workers will come out and investigate our home), but to call our pastor in Tennessee. My grand-father told my mother our pastor “would handle it.” My mother did call the pastor. My mother took me over to the church to talk to the preacher.
When I started to try to tell my pastor and his wife, that my father had been molesting me since I was 3 or 4, he STOPPED me! The pastor friend of my grand-father said, “Don’;t tell me. I don’t want to hear it! If you tell me, then I am required to call the police and report this. You don’t want your daddy going to prison over a misunderstanding, do you?”
I was 14. I loved my dad. I was confused. I told the pastor that I didn’t want my dad to go to jail, but I didn’t want him touching me anymore. The pastor friend of my grand-father then told both myself and my mother he had spoken with my grand-father. My grand-father was flying down. The two of them would speak with my dad. I was promised, “You need to trust us, God won’t let your daddy touch you again.”
Grandpop did fly in, I was in the Christian School associated with the church. When my grandfather showed up, he took me out of school to go to lunch. He asked what my father had done. I told my grandfather. My grandfather told me that he thought I had misunderstood my dad’s “loving on his daughter” with “evil things.” Nevertheless, my grandfather promised to speak with my father along with my pastor.
As you all probably know, it didn’t stop my father from sexually abusing me. A few months later, I tried to tell my mother once again. She called my grand-father. He got on the phone with me. My grand-father told me to stop spreading malicious lies because I didn’t like my father disciplining me. I tried to tell both my mother and my grand-father that it had nothing to do with discipline. They wouldn’t listen. That same night, my father came back into my room as usual. That night, I tried to run away. I took my parents van, along with my stained nightgown. I decided if I could get to Pennsylvania, I would be able to SHOW my grandfather the evidence, Then would he would have no other choice but to believe me. Then my grand-father would tell my mother to believe me too. (To this day, she always calls her father, asking advice for just about everything. She functions on the level of a junior high school student in this area, imo). I drove my parents van from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. I used money I had saved from babysitting our preachers kids for gas. I packed a small cooler with sandwiches and drinks like I had seen my mother do when we all made the drive to PA several times a year. I drove straight through to PA. To this day, I don’t know how I made it safely, since I wasn’t old enough to have a drivers license. I kept thinking my grand-father will help me once he see’s the evidence. He will!
Once I (finally) drove into my grand-parents driveway in PA, I breathed a sigh of relief. My grand-parents came to their front door, but didn’t come out. I thought it was strange, but I was soooo very happy that I ran, hugged my grand-parents and told them I had evidence my dad was doing those things to me. My grand-father took me into the house. My grand-mother made me sit on the couch while they called my parents. To my horror, my grand-parents told my father that I said I had evidence. My grand-father said, “I’ll take care of it.” In my naivete I still thought he meant he would finally believe me. I thought I would be allowed to stay with my grandparents. I would be safe at last! They HAD to believe me, right?
We didn’t discuss anything that night. My grand-mother kept babbling on about how hungry and tired I must be. My grand-father asked a few questions. He would then to into his home study to make a phone call and return. This went on for a few hours. My grand-mother made up the guest room for me. I slept very soundly because I knew my dad wasn’t coming in my room to molest me, while my grand-parents slept. I was safe. I remember praying. I remember thanking Jesus. Jesus had made sure that I arrived at my grandparents home safely, He had made sure to give me the idea to save the evidence to show my grandparents. Thank you, Jesus for saving my soul and for saving me from my dad, .

The next morning, my grand-parents said there was a counselor I needed to talk to. Rand Hummell was speaking at a church in the area. I was taken to talk to Rand Hummell. I told Rand Hummell about my father and the evidence I had. He completely ignored that. He told me that I had spent too much time on the internet. I had been exposed to these bad ideas on the internet. He talked about his book, “The Dark Side of the Internet.” I tried to explain that I hadn’t seen any of this on the internet. He focused on the fact that I had ran away from home. Many young girls do this because they are lured over the internet. I tried to tell him and my grand-parents I hadn;t been lured but that I had come to my grandparents house because I wanted my dad to stop hurting me. Rand Hummell told me that I needed to work on my attitude and let God work on my dad.
I was told to repent for running away, and causing so much pain. I did apologize for running away.
Unknown to me, my grand-father had not only been calling Rand Hummell. He had also made calls to another one of his pastor friends. This was Pastor Jason Casey Jason Casey is the Pastor and Director of Victorious Valley Baptist Church and Home for Girls in Sunset, SC. My grandparents asked me if i wanted to go somewhere that “would help me, and where I would be safe.”

Of course!.
I still thought I was going to be staying with my grandparents.
I was very wrong. That evening my parents flew in. My grandparents and my parents went out to dinner, where I now know they discussed how it was set up by my grand-father for me to go to Victorious Valley Home for Girls. I was sent back home to pack. Within a few days I found myself at Victorious Valley. I was made to confess that I had made up malicious lies, and repent for my causing “pain” to “many.”
Before anyone judges me for doing so, I was forced. If I didn’t repent, I was punished. Put in solitary where I was forced to listen to the preacher on tape constantly. . “Spanked,” and denied what they called “privileges,” such as showers, meals and bathroom privileges (other than when they decided I needed such things). I was a good girl, most of the girls there were good girls. It didn’t take long to break us.

Once I “graduated” from Victorious Valley I went home for the summer. As expected,in my family I attended Bob Jones University. A few days before leaving for college, I noticed my father was entering my little sister’s room. I went to college, haunted, knowing my father was now hurting my little sister. I didn’t know what to do. I was a student at Bob Jones University in 2010. One of my roommates complained that my nightmares were keeping “the room awake.” She was the Hall Leader. I was called to my dorm supervisors office and explained that I had been having nightmares. Without asking any other questions, her comment to me was, “That is the price one pays for watching Horror movies.” Was sent to the dorm counselor, with orders to not wake my roommates any more!
I finally told the dorm counselor that about my father. I told her that my little sister had told me that since I had left for college he was coming into her room. The dorm counselor gave me a copy of Dr. Jim Berg’s book, Changed Into His Image. She told me she would pass this along to the Dean of Women too. The next day, the dorm counselor called me to her room and asked why I had “lied” when she asked why I was having “bad dreams.” I didn’t know what to say. She didn’t ask, she TOLD me, “that was the price one pays for watching Horror movies.” She told me, that Dr. and Mrs. Berg were had counseled hundreds of students who were sexually abused, and I was to report to Dr. Berg in a few days. (Now remember, other than my grand-parents, my dorm counselor was the first person I had tried to tell the whole story to since I was 14,)
When I went to see Dr. Berg he asked me a lot of questions. One thing he told me was that I was not to tell anyone I had attended Victorious Valley. He then went on and said he had spoken with his wife and she would be “happy to counsel” me for the rest of the semester. Dr. Berg was not suggesting I speak with his wife, he was not asking me to consider this, I WOULD speak with his wife. The next day, Mrs. Berg and I began meeting. One of her first things she told me was that if I had any pleasure from what happened between myself and my father, God required me to repent of those feelings. That I needed to give up “control,” and a lot of other things. I started crying as I told her I was worried about my little sister.
The next morning, I went to class as usual. Upon returning I had a message to come to my dorm supervisors room. I did. She told me that Dr. Berg had called my father and told him of what I had been saying. My father denied this, of course. I was talked to by my dorm supervisor for awhile about how God expects us to tell the truth. Though tears, I told her I had told the truth. I was sent to the Dean of Women’s office and confronted again.
Miss Baker called my mother. My mother has known for years about the abuse. My mother was crying and angry because she told me, “You are tearing our family apart.” I knew my mother had called my grand-father too. I’m sure he made calls to the University and told them all about the “little family liar.”
The penalty for “lying” was 50 demerits. I was also put on spiritual probation. I accumulated a lot of demerits, for small things that added up. Right before Thanksgiving break, my hall-leader roommate turned me in for playing “un-checkable” music on my violin in my room. I was as they call it, “shipped” the next day. If Bob Jones, the Dean of Women, Dr. or Mrs Berg reported this to any law enforcement it is news to me. However, they did tell my mother, my hall-leader roommate.
I will be getting in contact with G.R.A.C.E. It’s hard for me to have any hope after all these years that Christians will believe me, but I’m going to contact GRACE anyway. I pray Jesus to whom I prayed to as a 14 year-old girl will come through this time.

Added Note:  I haven’t received the GRACE letter either.  I did receive the letter asking for $800,000 dollars.  I don’t have any money left over since I have to pay my therapist to help me recover from the mental and spiritual abuse I suffered at Bob Jones University.  I went to my dorm counselor and was sent to Dr. and Mrs. Berg who promised they would help me.   I would be dead if their brand of “help” continued much longer. ~ Kim

GRACE has established a special email address specifically devoted to Bob Jones University investigation. This email address completely separate and apart the University.  Please use this email address to contact GRACE:  grace.bobjones@netgrace.org

Please take the Confidential GRACE Survey.

ABWE Fires GRACE

“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of the down-and-outers.  Speak out for justice!  Stand up for the poor and destitute.”  Proverbs 31: 8-9 (The Message)

 

Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) fired Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) just weeks before the GRACE findings were set to be delivered.   Ichabod ABWE

According to this blog for former Missionary Kids (MK’s) :

February 7, 2013. ABWE publicly fires GRACE according to a website announcement, with no prior notification to the MKs involved. (Emphasis Chucklestravels)

Friday, February 8, 2013. A member of BangladeshMKsSpeak speaks with Tony Beckett and emails a large number of people at ABWE alarmed that MKs were not informed or even notified of the website announcement. Also in answer to the specific question of whether or not a Pii investigation report would be public, Beckett’s response was that ABWE was focused on “the truth and reconciliation” as evidenced by their “trajectory the past two years and online statements of regret.” When pressed for a real answer he admitted he had none.
Saturday, February 9, 2013. A small number of MKs receive an email from Cockrell claiming that he “meant to” inform us of the firing of GRACE first, with no explanation as to why they did not make sure that happened until two days after the fact or why many MKs ABWE has contacted in the past did not receive even THIS email.  Note:  Many still have not received this letter.
Monday, February 11, 2013. GRACE responds to ABWE’s allegations and firing here.
Today we only wish to say that they (the GRACE team) are total professionals, experienced in investigating child abuse, and with incredible hearts for God. Their bios speak for them and their response to ABWE speaks for them.
Again, we at BangladeshMKsSpeak and every MK we have connected with in the last 48 hours stand behind them 110% and are devastated by ABWE’s highly strategic blow.
ABWE’s decision to fire GRACE just prior to the findings release and ABWE’s claim of “flaws” doesn’t pass the stink test for the Editorial Board of Chucklestravels.
We question whether ABWE’s decision was in reality based on perhaps GRACE had uncovered too much?

A gentlemen posted the following facebook comment:

In 1973 President Nixon fired a special prosecutor when the investigation into the Watergate scandal was getting too close to home. It has since been coined the “Saturday Night Massacre”. This ploy by ABWE seems so similar. What do they have to hide to keep the truth from coming to light? This will not bode well for them in the coming days and weeks. One wonders who gives them advice and direction!
We here at Chucklestravels want ABWE MK’s to know.

We grieve with you at this time.We stand with you in exposing the truth.  Even if that truth is something ABWE doesn’t wish to make known or few wish to hear.

It’s Past Time IFB Leaders be Held Accountable

The other day, we saw the tweets by Marc Monte.  


Over the summer the Independent Fundamental Baptist world was shaken by the arrest of former pastor of First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana–Jack Schaap.

On September 18, 2012 The Chicago Tribune reported:

Former Indiana pastor charged, signs federal plea deal in relationship with teen A former northwest Indiana pastor was charged in federal court today with taking a minor across state lines in and has signed a plea agreement, prosecutors announced.Jack A. Schaap, of Crete, and Dyer, Ind., was charged in a criminal information in U.S. District Court in Hammond, Ind., according a news release from the district’s U.S. attorney’s office.The FBI had confirmed last month that it was investigating whether Schaap, the former pastor of an Indiana megachurch, broke any laws during a relationship with a girl who was 17 last month that led to his ouster from First Baptist Church in Hammond. Schaap, 54, admitted to adultery and “improper behavior” with the teenager, leading a board of deacons to fire him last month, a church spokesman said at the time.  Schaap had a relationship between June 1 and July 30 with a girl who had not yet turned 18, and took her from Indiana to Illinois and to Michigan, according to the criminal information. Schaap took the girl “with the intent that she engage in sexual activity for which (Schaap could) be charged with a criminal offense,” according to the information.Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of several items Schaap is alleged to have used in committing the crime, including an iPad, an iPhone, a digital camera, a voice recorder and two computer flash drives, according to the information.In his plea agreement, which also was filed in federal court today, Schaap admits that he had sex with the girl, the girl was under his care or supervision, and he used a computer to persuade the girl to have sex with him illegally.  Schaap was scheduled to have his initial court appearance Wednesday at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry in Hammond. As part of the plea deal, he waived his right to have the charges against him considered by a grand jury for indictment.An FBI spokesman said last month that the agency was investigating whether Schaap was involved in “an improper sexual relationship with an underage.”

In December 2012 Chicago Magazine published Let Us Prey:  Big Trouble at First Baptist Church  by Bryan Smith.  

The article showed how many Hyles-Anderson College graduates who were pastors all across the country have convictions for crimes such as Jack Schaap was convicted of.

Before the above was in the news, if you’ve been reading this blog, you’re familiar with Tina Anderson’s case.

Folks, Independent Fundamentalist would have you believe all these things are new.  Furthermore IFB pastors claim these cases are rare.

It’s past time to stop this head-in-the-sand attitude that many Christians take to avoid confronting the truth.  This is not a new phenomena. Long before  Jack Schaap “fell” or even before Tina Anderson was heard of, there was the horrific case of Esther Coombs that was highlighted on ABC News Primetime.


For too long, when confronted with the evidence they turn around and it insist the evidence doesn’t exist.
Bob Gray of Trinity Baptist Church, Jacksonville Florida died before his trial could commence.  Gray was allowed to leave the country and live as a “missionary” in Germany delaying the opportunity for Gray to face the criminal proceedings against him.  Bob Gray had accusations against him from as far back as 1949!  Yet, even  Jerry Falwell called the  serial sex-abuse case at Trinity is a mere “bump in the road.” Link

Jason Smoker chose to dump trash on a special needs man because Smoker was dissatisfied with the job the special-needs man had done cleaning out a church bus.  Smoker was convicted.  Smoker was sentenced to seven days in jail, and one year probation.  Repeated questions concerning whether Smoker was church-disciplined by Red Rocks Baptist Church have gone unanswered.

The allegations by New Bethany survivors span nearly 40 years.  Unto the Least of These

Mechilles wreath

 Yet, men such as “Concerned Pastor” not only refuse to listen, but defend, defend, defend.

We here at Chucklestravels could go on for days listing convictions and allegations of both physical and sexual abuse in IFB Churches.

Once the story is too big to deny then they complain when the media does a story on abuse; it is painting fundamentalism with “too broad a brush.”

For all their insistence and whining, fundamentalist preachers chose to close their eyes tight, stick their fingers in their ears and scream, “I’m not listening! I’m not listening!” And then go on to prepare their Sunday morning sermon series on the pedophilia scandal plaguing the Catholic Church and how this proves that Catholicism is from the pit of hell.  The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International (*note: Chuck Phelps is the vice-chairmen) wrote the following resolution against sex abuse by the Catholic church in 2002:

02.9 CONCERNING PERVERSION IN THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD

The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International condemns the perversion of the Roman Catholic priesthood that has recently become undeniable and widely known. We express outrage at any official hindrances to prosecution and hesitancy to dismiss from leadership not only those who are guilty of these sins and crimes, but also those who harbor them, regardless of the group responsible. Within the system of Romanism, we find many of the characteristics of the seducing spirits identified in I Timothy 4:1-3. We condemn such a corrupt and heretical system that fosters this abuse, and call professing believers to obey the command of 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.


While this blog (or anyone else) won’t  down-play the sexual abuse that takes place in any church, it should be noted that the FBFI has NEVER issued any resolution condemning abuse, physical or sexual abuse, whatsoever, from within Independent Baptist Fundamentalism. It is past time, fundamentalist leaders, pastors and their faithful members demand accountability.  It is time to stop blaming the child victim, in any way whatsoever, for the crime committed against them. It is past time, they stop “investigating,” as Chuck Phelps and others have done, when sexual assault of a child or teen is revealed to them. They need to turn it over to the authorities whose experience and training with investigating sex crimes. It is past time, for fundamentalist leaders and pastors to practice what they preach and separate from pastors and leaders in their own movement who, make the conscious choice, to allow a degenerates who rape children and teens to remain free, while sending the teens into exile in one of these IFB troubled teen homes.  No matter, what these men, who call themselves men of god “think,” they’re wrong to do such things.   They are the under-shepherd of these victims.  That is a responsibility these men chose when they decided to become a pastor.

Rape has been called “soul murder” for a reason. Our criminal justice system is not perfect, but it is responsible for investigate and prosecute these crimes. According to the scriptures, that is one thing for which government is ordained of God.

Tina Anderson’s Stepfather, Daniel Leaf, Indicted

It was announced in the morning edition of the Concord Monitor (See below) that a grand jury has indicted Daniel Leaf  on two separate counts of felonious sexual assault against Tina Anderson.  The alleged assaults started with Tina (Dooley) Anderson was ten years old.

Christine Leaf is Tina’s mother.  According to Tina, she told her mother that Daniel Leaf had been molesting Tina once Daniel was committed to New Hampshire state prison.  Daniel Leaf was convicted of molesting a little girl in a fast food restaurant bathroom.

Daniel Leaf is a convicted sex offender with which Christine Leaf continues to remain married to and reside with to this day.   According to the following quote from the Concord Monitor, Christine Leaf still defends her sex-offender husband–even answering the door while he hid inside the house.

“Yesterday afternoon, Christine Leaf answered the door at the couple’s house in Tilton and said she did not think her husband, who was inside, would wish to comment.”

“Really, I don’t think we have anything to say,” Christine Leaf said, asked whether her husband maintains his innocence.”

Daniel Leaf was also convicted of Felony Child abuse in 1993.  He admitted to hitting Tina’s brother, Tom Dooley, with a belt ten (10) times.  Tina has told friends that she hid in the closet and lost count at seventy (70) strikes.

Man named in rape trial now indicted

Stepfather faces sex assault counts

August 23, 2012
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When she testified last year to being raped and impregnated as a teenager in 1997 by a married man who attended her Concord church, Tina Anderson told jurors she also had been sexually assaulted by her stepfather years earlier.

Anderson said at trial that her mother and her pastor at Trinity Baptist told her to forgive her stepfather, Daniel Leaf, for the abuse, and he never faced charges in connection with her allegations.

That changed last week, when a Merrimack County grand jury handed down two aggravated felonious sexual assault indictments charging Leaf with assaulting Anderson between 1990 and 1992, starting when she was 10 years old.

The indictments – which don’t name Anderson – accuse Leaf, 52, of Tilton of intentionally touching the girl’s genitalia with his penis in Concord during different time periods. Leaf is a sex offender listed on the state’s registry with convictions in 1993 for felonious sexual assault and indecent exposure.

He was also convicted of second-degree assault in 1992, according to the registry. Christine Leaf, his wife and Anderson’s mother, testified in court last year that her husband had been found guilty of the assault for spanking her son. She said he spent seven years in prison for the sexual assault conviction, which she said related to a victim who wasn’t one of her children.

Yesterday afternoon, Christine Leaf answered the door at the couple’s house in Tilton and said she did not think her husband, who was inside, would wish to comment.

“Really, I don’t think we have anything to say,” Christine Leaf said, asked whether her husband maintains his innocence.

The Monitor does not normally identify alleged rape victims, but through a friend yesterday Anderson confirmed she was the victim and gave permission to be named in the case. Anderson spoke to media outlets and appeared on ABC’s 20/20 after the 2010 arrest of Ernest Willis, the Gilford man and former Trinity Baptist member convicted last year of raping her twice in 1997.

Anderson, who was 15 at the time of the assaults by Willis, said she was made to stand before the Clinton Street church and apologize for becoming pregnant. She was then sent to Colorado to have her baby, and the Concord police said they were unable to find Anderson. The investigation stalled until 2010, when someone mentioned Anderson’s story on a Facebook page critical of fundamentalist Baptist churches.

Anderson, now 31 and living in Arizona, agreed to be interviewed by the police, which led to the charges against Willis. During last year’s trial in Merrimack County Superior Court, she testified that she initially didn’t tell anyone about being raped by Willis because then-Trinity Baptist pastor Chuck Phelps had told her not to pursue charges against Leaf, instructing her that “a good Christian forgives and forgets.”

Phelps, now the pastor at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, testified during the May 2011 trial that Anderson never told him she had been sexually abused by Leaf and denied ever telling her to “forgive and forget.”

“I do not preach forgive and forget,” he said. “I teach confront.”

Christine Leaf also denied telling Anderson not to press charges and testified that she contacted the police in 1996 after her daughter said she had been abused by Daniel Leaf.

“She said to me, ‘He touched me,’ ” Christine Leaf said during the trial. Leaf said she reported the allegations about her husband – who was in prison at the time – to a Concord detective and the state Division for Children, Youth and Families, but her daughter “never wanted to talk to the police.” Anderson testified that she believed her mother had told the police she thought her daughter was lying.

The police received a report about Leaf in 1996, but “we weren’t able to proceed with a prosecution,” Concord police Chief John Duval said yesterday. He said he couldn’t provide details late yesterday afternoon about the report and why the police weren’t able to prosecute the case but described the indictments against Leaf as “a result of information that was obtained subsequent to the initial investigation of Willis.”

Anderson said in a 2010 statement that Leaf abused her several times a week when she was a child and her mother was out of the house. She said she didn’t feel comfortable telling anyone about the abuse until Leaf was in prison.

Forward March?

Stephen Jones is ‘back and better than ever’ (Greenville Journal).  The Bruin is out to reign on the athletic fields (too many promos to cite – just look for the billboards).  It’s time to ramp it up at 1700 Wade Hampton Boulevard and the order is“Forward, march!” … but is that really the true picture?

Well, it is if you want to ignore more faculty and staff cuts, especially in the wake of launching a rather expensive intercollegiate athletic program.  It is if you if you want to (once again) violate SACS policy by “advertising” that you are seeking their accreditation (largely because they know TRACS just won’t cut it other than for their share of the Federal money).   It is if the reason for the old dress code was based on what people wore when they took an airplane trip (yeah, back on DC-3’s).  And it is IF you want to categorize the unethical actions by Chuck Phelps that launched the first ever formal on-campus protest and a 1,210-signature petition.

But we here at Chuckles Travels think the most telling quote from Stephen can be found on page 9 of the article linked above where the man who never wanted his father’s (and his older brother’s job) says he sees himself …

“Continuing what the Lord led my great-grandfather to start, that’s my burden, rather than hijacking it for a different mission.”

Doesn’t really sound like what old-man Jones would have said.  Then again, an integrated student body and an angry bear weren’t on the top of BJ Sr.’s list either (or at least I have to assume).  I guess Stephen is just making sure his own father’s prophecy comes true and BJU is still around“for the remnant”.

The deceit continues … makes me wonder if an accurate Clery report will ever come out of the Administration building.  It’s just plain sad and it continues to leave victims in its wake while protecting those that harm them.

Leaves one wondering since there hasn’t been an announcement as of this time,  who it is the University has chosen as Ombudsman.  Is the Ombudsman Man, Myth or Legend?

But that’s Greenville speak for “Forward, march!” isn’t it?

C.P. Traveler

Guest Post: The Abusers Haven

Why do we keep hearing and/or reading, “Forgive your abuser and move on with your life?”

I have to speak up about something I have continually seen reoccur within the ranks of the Advocacy/Activism/Survivors/Alumni groups online. I’m talking about way before Facebook was ever even thought about. What I’m referring to goes back much farther even than when I came to the harsh realization that the IFB children’s home of which I was a former resident, New Bethany Home for Girls in Arcadia, La., was not just a surreal, multi-million dollar con job of a “home for wayward girls/boys” that nobody would believe existed because (I thought for years)it was the only one of its kind. But I don’t want to get off track too much, so I’ll try to get to the point and not ramble.
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I have seen, within the archives of the “Survivors of New Bethany” website on Multiply, going back for quite a few years, those who (appear to?) deem it necessary to pop up like a bad penny occasionally and declare that those who were abused should forgive their abuser. And now, after having become a member of several groups comprised  of survivors of IFB/religious institutions where they themselves were horribly sexually/physically abused, or had direct knowledge of it happening, I sadly, not to mention infuriatingly see how commonly, and loosely given this advice is. Much like the be-all-end-all of wonderful, Godly instruction. Frankly, it makes me sick and tempted to punch something. It’s a good thing I value the use of my hands so much.
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Has anybody really tried to figure out why there are some who feel like this is good advice to give? And where the hell they would come up with such a horrible idea? Primarily when sexual/physical abuse is a factor, and the abuser has very little chance of being stopped or held accountable? My conclusion is that the “forgive and move on” idea was firmly planted in their heads. Healthy logic and reasoning do not coincide with this concept. I’m tired of our religious leaders stressing the importance of “forgiveness” within their churches and institutions, especially with children, beginning at a very young age, in order to assure that the guilt of speaking up about things that are wrong is set like concrete within the psyche of each individual human being who is under their umbrella. And with this being done primarily to protect the reputation of their “leader”, church or institution, it reeks of evil. The very opposite of safety, love, holiness and the spiritual well-being of every person.
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I have no doubt, however that there is the occasion where a well-meaning person, hoping to help a hurting individual will, with this deeply-ingrained and years-long taught “forgiveness” concept, will suggest that another person “forgive and move on” from those who have wronged them. When this suggestion is given to someone who is, or has suffered from abuse, then the giver of this advice has left their logic and reasoning at the door. The “forgive and move on” advice in such situations needs to be recognized for what it really is. And by that, I mean it is a conveyance of a pre-programmed idea, crammed into the head of the advice giver, that has no more logical sense than repeating the same word over and over again until it’s lost its true meaning. (Much like memorizing whole chapters of scripture under the threat of being beaten and humiliated. Knowing how to recite huge passages of scripture, over and over and over again, totally annihilates the meaning of what has been memorized. Like saying the same word over and over again until it sounds just plain silly.)
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I see the “forgive and move on” (FAMO) concept as the very same. Unsuspecting people say it to others without understanding the hidden meaning behind why they have been taught to say it. All they know is that it’s supposed to be the right thing to say. And, yes. My conclusion is that it is something taught, rather than learned or experienced with a guaranteed healthy outcome. There is no way that telling someone who is, or has been abused, that everything will be okay if they FAMO, even resembles logical sense. And every person alive has a sense of logic, or even better, a conscience……..until it becomes twisted and perverted under the direction of a leader or leaders who are given free reign to do it, whether by a consenting adult or defenseless children.
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There is a multitude of us who had the FAMO (or forgive and forget) concept branded into our brains and hearts. For some, who have also suffered abuse, it seems that the only way to alleviate their own anger, fear and guilt, is to cling to this concept, because they are psychologically and spiritually unable to revert themselves back to logical thinking, or else they are simply afraid to, as thinking outside the box of their religious instruction is alien to them. For others,and for more reasons than I could list, there develops an epiphany. “What if this is all wrong?” (For me, personally, my realization was worded “I have been fed a line of bullshit my entire life! I’m outta here!”-followed by a descent into a hole of feeling worthless and undeserving. It’s been a hard climb back up. But now, no one does my thinking, or feeling for me.)
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Sexual and physical abuse of children is wrong. Inside, outside and upside down. Wrong. And evil. And inexcusable. Regardless of who the perpetrator is. A pastor, church elder, teacher, coach, parent, whatever.
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“But our Brother in Christ has been disciplined within the church, sent away for awhile, and now we must “lift up our fallen brother.”
“It’s under the blood!”

What a crock of horse-pucky! The reality of it is that this “fallen brother” is still free to continue perpetuating the same abuses, and will likely never be held accountable for the harm inflicted on the innocent. But at least “the cause of Christ hasn’t been harmed, and we must protect the cause of Christ at all costs!” Another crock of horse-pucky. Christ can protect himself just fine, thank you. Allowing predators to continue with their prowling does not lift up the cause of Christ. It destroys it. What sounds logical to me, would be seeing that those who harm little ones be put in prison, for the cause of Christ.
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Anyone who honestly parrots the FAMO spiel with good intentions needs to realize, before they inflict any more harm on a suffering person, the real reason they had this concept crammed into them. You cannot honestly say that you yourself, independently, and with no human influence, decided that FAMO was a great idea. You are repeating what you have been taught to repeat, much like some of us recited entire chapters of scripture with no complaints. We were afraid of the consequences if we didn’t. However, if in being completely honest with yourself, you can say that FAMO worked for you personally, good for you. But you have no right to suggest that it’s right in every situation. You need to stop doing that.
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And let me mention this. By telling someone suffering from abuse that they should FAMO, you are putting yourself (in their eyes) in a position of authority to dictate to them what is or is not a “forgivable” offense against them. Not to mention trying to assert a time limit on their hurt.
Chances are very good, that in you being taught that FAMO is the solution for yours or another’s pain from suffering abuse, instead of “I’m so sorry this happened to you. How can I help?” the real and diabolical reason you had this crammed firmly in your head is because, somewhere down the line, an abuser of children may face real accountability.
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And the “Godly” leaders who command you to FAMO, or command you to say that to others ain’t having any of that.
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Before you turn the FAMO switch to on, think for just a second. If you wouldn’t give the same advice to a victim of Jerry Sandusky’s, then you sure as hell don’t need to give it to anyone else who suffers like that.
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(Disclaimer: The above essay is a compilation of my own conclusions and personal experiences. I don’t claim to be an authority on anything.)

~Teresa Frye

Forgetting the Here and Now

Easter weekend, April 5th, 6th, and 7th  Bob Jones University’s Living Gallery production is scheduled to take place.

Let's forget about the nasty here and now...yeah too messy

Here’s the quote from the webpage:

You’re invited to attend the fifteenth annual Living Gallery. This year’s new drama, “Somewhere Forever,” follows the story of three lives touched by the Gospel: A man facing life as a widower at age 30. An abuse victim unable to find peace. A 20-something who wants to break away from his past. When conversations in a local coffee shop turn to matters of life and death, failure and hope, Tyler, Lizzie and Chris must decide what to do with the claims of Christ and His Resurrection. How will each respond to the fact that they will all live somewhere forever?

“An abuse victim unable to find peace?”

BJU, how about dealing with helping those who have been abused find justice?  How about Bob Jones III live up to what he said in  this chapel message Bob Jones III answered.

Sexual molestation–it will not be swept under the rug, it never has been. It’s not the way we operate. It’s always reported to the authorities…Nobody would be kept on the Board or on the faculty who did things like that, who swept things under the rug.

Please open your eyes and ears that God created.  Look and listen to the 100′s of survivors pain with stories very similar to a anonymous survivor quoted at the end of this post.  Just one who went to Jim Berg for help.  Jim Berg who teaches others how to counsel those who have been abused in a video series. Churches buy this series.

Here’s how one church advertised Jim Bergs video course,

Bob Jones University offers the Biblical Counseling series to help pastors and Christian workers deal with the problems confronting Christians. Many feel unprepared and inadequate to deal with the problems of life that they face and that are faced by those to whom they minister. Consequently, the “cure of souls,” which used to be the domain of the pastor, has increasingly been delegated to “professional” counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. BJU’s Biblical Counseling series consists of six video courses designed to help prepare the Christian worker to handle such problems as anger, depression, addiction, immorality, child abuse, and many more.

I’ve watched this video.  He spends a lot of time, talking about how many he has counseled.  The homes they came from–missionary homes, pastors homes, christian school teachers homes, even deacons homes from his own church–but he never once teaches these people how to walk through someone with reporting abuse to law enforcement.  Not ONE time, while teaching this series does Berg ever mention reporting.  NOT ONCE.

Now for that one survivors statement.  This is what Berg’s counseling did.

I just cannot keep silent. I am one of those “abuse victims” who “cannot find peace”, but the greatest part of my struggle is that when I went to BJU for help, they covered up the crime, shamed me and rewarded a sexual predator. I have now heard this story from so many others that it makes me physically ill. From all that I have seen and heard, BJU does not condemn rape. They do not condemn the rapists. They condemn only the victims. There are faculty members there who tell rape victims that it is their own fault, not the fault of the rapist. No matter the age of the victim or the circumstances, they state that it is solely due to the victim’s status as someone who is impure and their impurity “caused” the assault. The rapist bears no responsibility. He is to be forgiven. From BJU’s perspective, that means that the perpetrator should face no consequences – no legal consequences, no publicity, no shame. They can continue in their roles as teachers, pastors, etc. They are free to find more victims. The victims, on the other hand, have to endure BJU’s “counseling” which consists of forcing the victim to repeatedly recall every detail of the assault again and again while the “counselor” points out areas where the victim should have done something differently, in other words, they must carry the blame for any abuse endured. The victim is repeatedly shamed and humiliated. This is all done in God’s name, ensuring the victim will never see God as a possible source of hope, comfort, or refuge. As more and more find they aren’t alone and begin sharing their stories, it is shocking to find that our experiences seem almost common. How many are there of us? How many more were sexually assaulted because our abusers’ crimes were covered up? How many victims are there who know that someone could have helped, but refused to do so? Why is this?? BJU, if you read any of this, can you PLEASE explain why you didn’t help? HOW can you hear the pleas of victims begging for help and turn your back on them? How could you hear them beg you to help younger siblings and just ignore it? Is your heart that hard? that cold? that filled with hatred that you truly have no room for compassion? You have absolutely no right to put on a drama about abuse. You have turned your back on the abused. Your kindness has been reserved for the rapists and sex offenders. How can you now pretend that you care? You have dealt with us as if you enjoyed our shame. 

Lest you assume this is written out of anger, bitterness or hatred, let me assure you that it is not. I do not hate you, but the hurt from the decisions you made is intense. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot comprehend why you turned your back on so many. I want it to end to spare future students from hurt, but I also want an explanation. Why? Is it disgust because we are no longer “pure”? Do you see us as damaged, defiled and worthless now so it just doesn’t matter how much further we are hurt?