Suicide and Pain: What Are We Missing?
This morning I was prepared to write about being a sacred place where others could come for healing, encouragement and restoration. I had no idea Robin Williams committed suicide yesterday. I didn't hear the news because all evening I was sitting with a friend who is going through one of the most difficult times in her life. I also rushed out the door this morning with two friends on my heart who were also going through a great deal of suffering. It was late morning before I found out Robin Williams passed away. Robin Williams, the great comedian? The one who warmed my heart in Patch Adams. The man who challenged me, through Patch Adams, not to just be a professional, but a professional who cared for people. I've read a lot of post on Facebook about how we (those still living) never know what a person is going through on the inside. I've read that a person can be smiling on the outside, but hurting on the inside. While this is cert...
Great article. Yes, you're right...ladies MUST beware. But they must also be AWARE as well.
ReplyDelete(1) Any lady (woman) who attends church, whether helping in ministry or not, is at risk--predators are merely looking for anyone they can attack and will try to gain the victim's confidence, looking for weaknesses (sometimes using their power and authority as a pastor to create weaknesses);
(2) In most states there are no laws against pastors assaulting ladies over the age of 18. This means there is no protection from our society to help if a lady is victimized. Don't count on the church to help--the church--generally as a whole-- historically blames the victim and exonerates the predator, even in churches that supposedly have a plan to handle these cases (such as Presbyterian Church USA).
(3) If a lady is assaulted it's because she was victimized by a predator who was in authority over her--much like incest in a family. It takes YEARS to get over the damage done, and some victims never get over what happened. Many leave the faith altogether, finding it too difficult to separate the "love of God" from what the evil pastor predator did to them.
(4) Victims are never at fault for the "crime" but they are generally blamed for what happened.
So, thanks for your article! I hope all ladies (and women), and even men, become aware that there is a need to beware of pastor predators in church. Statistically, any church with more than 3 pastors has at least one pastor predator on staff--another bit of information to be aware of.
Name withheld to protect myself
Thanks for sharing! What you have said is so true!!! The best thing we can do is keep sharing information and bring light to this disturbing issue!
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