Posted by sassyfrancesca on June 10, 2008, at 12:30:13
I had never heard the term, "spiritual abuse" until it happened to me. I was a member of a Baptist church for 31 years, finally got the courage to get a divorce after 31 years of abuse.
I fought the system for 18 months to try and stop the pastor (of disaster, LOL) from "counseling" any more women, because 2 of them wanted to commit suicide.
In the end (on my birthday, no less), my name was put up on a big screen, followed by the words: "Conduct Unbecoming a Child of God." They put it up 3 times. For the abuser, they used different verbiage (mysogynists)....: "Church Discipline"
I was called to a meeting of deacons (16 "men") not allowed to have a woman present, and asked: "Are you having sex with your ex" I had allowed him to live in my house after the divorce (long story).
Something positive/wonderful came out of that debacle: www.churchabusepoetrytherapy.com (faith-based poems of anguish, healing, hope and comfort came pouring from my wounded soul. It has been a phenomenon; over 14,190 hits.
Elie Wiesel (survivor of Auschwitz) has written to me regarding the poems; I am so honored.
Sassy
poster:sassyfrancesca
thread:833992
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080404/msgs/833992.html