MK forum

There are some good books on spiritual abuse, and several definitions of it on line, so I'm just picking one and copying it here:

"Spiritual abuse occurs when someone is treated in a way that damages them spiritually. As a deeper result, their relationship with God – or that part of them that is capable of having a relationship with God – becomes wounded or scarred.

Likewise, those in spiritual positions of authority can violate our trust. It’s possible to become so determined to defend a spiritual place of authority, a doctrine or a way of doing things that you wound and abuse anyone who questions, or disagrees, or doesn’t “behave” spiritually the way you want them to. When your words and actions tear down another, or attack or weaken a person’s standing as a Christian – to gratify you, your position or your beliefs while at the same time weakening or harming another – that is spiritual abuse."

http://restoringtheheart.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/tricky-puzzle-defining-spiritual-abuse/

It is my opinion that many, many fundamentalist Christians have been affected by spiritual abuse. They have been hurt by it, and often they themselves have participated in it. NTM is not unique in being a part of this culture. I see examples of it all the time.

The stage is set for the spiritual abuse of an innocent, formative child in such subtle ways. Last week my grandson told my husband, "My Sunday School teacher said God is like Santa Claus. He's making a list of who's naughty and who's nice."

So subtle. And so wrong. And it happens over and over, in Sunday Schools, Christian homes, and mission boarding schools.

I think people who are most damaged by spiritual abuse are very devout, conscientious people. They have checked their brains in at the altar. People in positions of authority over them are viewed as the representation of God himself, and they humbly submit to anything they are told to do, think or say.

People less affected by spiritual abuse, but still hurt, are people who have developed a fairly thick skin of skepticism, but they can still feel the dismissive, judgmental attitude of hyper-religious people who say things like, "I don't want to upset you, but ... I AM ALWAYS RIGHT, AND YOU ARE ALWAYS WRONG!"

My daughter uses the expression when talking to small children, "Put your listening ears on." Christians who refuse to put their listening ears on easily drift into being abusive people who use their spirituality as a weapon to put others down.

It's very, very sad. I know I have engaged in this practice myself, and I think that's why I'm particularly sensitive to it now.

Sackcloth and ashes. Still.

how about the "if you get in trouble, I'll have to quit the ministry and we will have to go home" phrase? I think I heard it every day of my life. What kind of abuse lists can we put that one on?

Wow, yeah. That's a horrible one.

I sure hope NTM is teaching their candidates NOT to say that to their kids these days.

Wow, Bemused, my answer to such ugliness is "If that is Christianity," or "if that is being a Christian , then who needs it?" TOO SAD

A couple of trivial questions here....

1. How much money does NTM have invested, what is it invested in and what is the rate of return?

2. Have any members of the Via Investigation Team ever had any dealings/ association with NTM on any level in the past? Are any of them supporters of NTM (including supporting any of NTM's employees)?

I have looked at the NTM financial report, but I can't figure out the answer to question number one. I have trouble figuring out my checking account, so this is no reflection on them. But, it would be interesting to know, particularly when they continue to bring up "needs."

I asked question number two on a different thread, and it must have been too trivial for that thread; I never got an answer there! Does anybody know? Has anybody asked Pat Hendrix?

On the subject of Question #2:

Have any members of the Tambo Investigation Team ever.............

These same questions have been raised several different times.
How about some answers?

With the transparency touted by NTM, it should only require asking the questions.

......If the transparency is not true,
Then a little detective work is in order.......

Anybody know who the head of NTM Australia is?

I think Thai MK had the financial details asked about, if my geriatric memory is correct.