Thinking about gossip
If you have grown up in the evangelical church or spent much time in it at all you have heard discussions about gossip. There is no doubt that gossip is condemned in scripture. But, I …
abuse
Church of England fights back against allegations
The Church of England (C of E) has strongly refuted accusations that its safeguarding procedures are unreliable and pose a risk to vulnerable individuals. Responding to claims made by an independent reviewer, the church has …
Portugal church to have “zero tolerance” for abusers
The Episcopal Commission of Portugal (CEP) announced that they will begin working against child sexual abuse in a church in Portugal. This decision is due to the results of an investigation, which yielded 4,815 complaints …
A birthday (and holiday) lamentation
Today is my Birthday…Happy Birthday to me? I don’t feel very happy. It feels more like a time for lamentation than joy. I had a very different essay planned for this week but this subject …
‘Troubled Teen Industry’ under increasing scrutiny
The so-called Troubled Teen Industry has come under increased scrutiny as young people have started speaking out against traumatic experiences at camps that are often called “youth treatment” facilities. Mallory Challis of Baptist News Global …
Chaplain gets seven years in prison for sexually abusing inmates
A chaplain working at a California federal women’s prison will be spending seven years in prison for “egregious” sexual abuse against inmates. Prosecutors said James Theodore Highhouse exploited the inmates’ faith and powerlessness while behind …
Pastor’s wife gets life in prison for convincing lover to kill her husband
The wife of a murdered Oklahoma pastor who admitted she collaborated with her lover to kill her husband was sentenced to life in prison on August 10. The murder took place on March 22, 2021. …
Austin multicultural church accused of spiritual abuse
Cristal Porter and her family felt relieved when they visited Hope Community Church in Austin. The congregation of 135, led by pastor Aaron Reyes and his wife Michelle Ami Reyes, was filled with diverse couples, …
The Religious Narcissist: Sitting in the Pew and Quoting Scripture
It seems like everyone knows a narcissist these days. It isn’t a term I really thought about a decade ago. After I left a teaching position with a corrupt president, I started hearing people refer …