Persecution Sensitivity

[QueenKnitter]

In a place where authority is grasped and legislated, not simply demonstrated, persecution sensitivity builds a case for keeping everything within the system. Why? Because of the evil, dangerous, or unspiritual people outside of the system who are trying to weaken or destroy us. This mentality builds a strong wall or bunker around the abusive system, isolates the abusers from scrutiny and accountability, and makes it more difficult for people to leave because they will be outsiders, too.

That quotation was on the opening page of the site. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

that's it. THAT'S IT! Sigh. . . .

Okay. I'm an academic. I wrote an academic document -- an analysis, a critique, whatever. The case I used to prove my theory was my employer. This document has been in the organization's library for 5 years. It's a public document. And I'm getting published. :D

So be happy for me because outside of my family no one else is.

And the employer is reacting just like that quotation says. It's amazingly predictable. I just can't believe it. :eek:

I'm stunned.

QK

[Elisabeth]

Wow! That triggered a memory. Every time something negative was said about the spiritually abusive church I used to attend, or the pastor, the pastor would say "Satan is trying to destroy this church! But we won't let him! We are stronger than that!" When people left and said why it was "Satan got into those people." When there was a confidence vote on the pastor "Why are you letting Satan use you?" When the roof got blown off the church, necessitating repairs, "Satan tried to blow God's house down!" You get the idea. And then the best line of all "We must be doing something right, because see how much Satan fights against us!" :eek:

Of course, when my husband tried to talk some sense into his mother, she said, well the church must be doing something right, because no matter how hard Satan tries to destroy the church, God does not let him! :eek:

[Jerry]

The best most efficient way to insure loyalty and garner support for the existing power structure ???????,,,.....................Create an "Enemy" of course ;) (The Spanish Inquisition) :eek: ;)

[InTheory]

Wow! That triggered a memory. Every time something negative was said about the spiritually abusive church I used to attend, or the pastor, the pastor would say "Satan is trying to destroy this church! But we won't let him! We are stronger than that!" When people left and said why it was "Satan got into those people." When there was a confidence vote on the pastor "Why are you letting Satan use you?" When the roof got blown off the church, necessitating repairs, "Satan tried to blow God's house down!" You get the idea. And then the best line of all "We must be doing something right, because see how much Satan fights against us!" :eek:

Of course, when my husband tried to talk some sense into his mother, she said, well the church must be doing something right, because no matter how hard Satan tries to destroy the church, God does not let him! :eek:

Elisabeth, I'm starting to think that we attended the same church... :eek:
Isn't it funny how SIMILAR all of our experiences on this forum are?

It seems like the best argument of these kinds of abusers is "Satan, Satan, Satan..." but once you see through this flim-flam excuse, you can't go back!!! :)

-Dan

[Lamisa]

I'm with you all on the Satan bit. Apparently, my new husband and are were "being deceived" by Satan, and that is why we left the church. It was a "scheme of the enemy".

The crappy part about all that, is that its hard for me not to believe that they are right.
I know they are wrong, but things are hard right now ya know?

But here's a good one: Our female "leader" who was over both my fiancee and I, told him "If you don't put your ministry and the men's house first in this season, God won't let you marry her". Well guess what!? We left the church the first week of January... and we got married last Friday!!
Interesting since she is so "anointed" and "prophetic" wouldn't you say?

I just want to be normal. And not deal with all this spiritual warfare crap, overspiritualizing everything! I believe the enemy is out there and that he is the prince of this world...
but don't we have victory? Do we really have to spend our lives looking over our shoulders and sitting through prayer times asking "what's coming against us" in this season?
Come on now.

Though... don't take it from me... this comes from a young lady who is pretty angry... still have trouble reading or hearing scripture and honestly... I can't even pray yet...
one day at a time.

[Elisabeth]

I'm with you all on the Satan bit. Apparently, my new husband and are were "being deceived" by Satan, and that is why we left the church. It was a "scheme of the enemy".

The crappy part about all that, is that its hard for me not to believe that they are right.
I know they are wrong, but things are hard right now ya know?


I know exactly what you mean by it's hard for you not to believe that they are right. You had believed in the spirituality of these people, and when they would say that others were being deceived by Satan, you believed it. That's the way I was too. And I still have to say "They are wrong." So keep your knowledge that they are wrong.

Here's something funny that happened at my old church. The pastor's son and his wife were going to dedicate their newborn, but she screamed through the whole dedication. Of course, the pastor's son, spiritual guy that he was, :rolleyes: decided to go through with the dedication, saying that they were not going to allow Satan to ruin it. I was already getting out of the place, so my thinking was starting to clear. I was thinking "Oh great, Satan got into the baby! What's going to happen next, is her head going to spin around?" :D Me, I think it was gas. :D

[Jerry]

Yes Liz ,,,,,,,,,,,,,gas would be my guess too :D

[DiligentLily]

I just want to be normal. And not deal with all this spiritual warfare crap, overspiritualizing everything! I believe the enemy is out there and that he is the prince of this world...
but don't we have victory? Do we really have to spend our lives looking over our shoulders and sitting through prayer times asking "what's coming against us" in this season?
Come on now.

Though... don't take it from me... this comes from a young lady who is pretty angry... still have trouble reading or hearing scripture and honestly... I can't even pray yet...
one day at a time.

Lamisa, yes! we do have victory! The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. I think abusers use that fear to keep people coming to them for 'protection'--it's more like gangster protection to me!

Also, I could not pray or read the bible either, for a long time, either. A very very long time. I thank God for being patient and waiting for me!

[mary]

Wow! That triggered a memory. Every time something negative was said about the spiritually abusive church I used to attend, or the pastor, the pastor would say "Satan is trying to destroy this church! But we won't let him! We are stronger than that!"

What a consummate, four-alarm, flaming moron. :mad: :mad: :mad:

No, "pastor," you are NOT stronger than Satan! Jesus Christ IN US is!!!

The man needs to pray for his own salvation because he hasn't the foggiest idea what he's talking about... He's without Clue One. Never read Ephesians 6, I guess... Maybe someone should open a Bible and show him where it is and what it says.

mary

[Elisabeth]

He's too narcisstic. Would never believe it would apply to him. (Loved that article.)

[Elisabeth]

Lamisa, yes! we do have victory! The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. I think abusers use that fear to keep people coming to them for 'protection'--it's more like gangster protection to me!

Also, the more "spiritual" they could make things sound, the more "important" pastors are. Wonder how much real belief the "overspirtualizing" pastor really has?