Any thoughts on blogs?

[Worn Shoeleather]

Hi all,

I'm worn out.

The "abusive" church I used to go a long time ago (before I made my escape) is now the hot topic of several blogs that have sprung up to expose it's abusive practices. These blogs are run by former members and contain posts from many, many people I've known personally who are eager to share their own stories.

I'm just wondering, what do any of you think about blogging?

I've done A LOT of reading concering spiritual abuse (including the majority of the material provided by spiritualabuse.com and it's many links.)

I don't know exactly what I'm looking for here, I guess I just want to know what other people think of this.

Thanks,


Worn Shoeleather

[mary]

I have a blog, but I won't put anything about my old church on it for fear that someone would sue me or that "pastor" would make good on his threat to attack me. (I'm kind of afraid of him.) I had a horrible time just with the denominational message board (they banned me, so I went back on the board under another screen name and password and fired another volley or three at them - :D ).

If you put something on a blog, it can follow you for a very long time. Look what happened to R. C. Sproul, Jr. and I don't think that stuff was blogged, even. The man messed himself up, though, and deserves no pity.

All I have on my blog are videos, editorials, commentary on doctrinal issues, etc. In other words, there's something on there that would probably offend just about anyone except me. Today I took off a bunch of stuff from it that irritated even me... ;) I used to post a link to it here, but - hey, no one here needs any more irritation in his/her life, right?! :cool: :p

mary

[Elisabeth]

At work, we had a strike recently. Our local newspaper put a "daily strike update" up that we could comment on daily; so comment we did. Strikers, salaried, and crossers all blogged. Some used their real names, and some didn't. Some got so nasty they got banned! I blogged a lot on that. :D The blog did turn out to be a tool of healing; probably because it was a way to get emotional with out throwing stones, and also because it was a way to actually have a dialog with people on "the other side" and find out their thoughts. You did have to have a pretty thick skin to blog there, though, because people really would insult each other. :p

I guess what I'm getting at is, if you feel so led, blog away. Do it under a fake name if you want to be anonymous. You might be surprised at the results! :D

[DiligentLily]

After participating in this forum for a while and finding healing here, I began an anonymous blog of my own about spiritual abuse in general. I did not mention my old church by name or city or denomination, because I wasn't sure it would be right or seemly to expose them that way. But I now know my abusers have found out about it and know who I am.

It has been enormously healing for me! I have been able to reach out to other Christians in my theological tradition and introduce them to abuse issues and since finding out my abusers are reading it, I have for the first time felt empowered--it's like, after 13 years, they are no longer attacking me and hurting me. I have turned the tables and now I am telling my side of the story.

I have also been of help, it appears, to several other people who are suffering abuse but didn't know what to call it, and who thought they were alone in it.

I am very glad I started blogging, but I might not feel the same way if I were using their names. If I did thst I might feel petty or sound resentful.

For what it's worth :)

[Worn Shoeleather]

Thanks everyone,

I didn't start these blogs, several of them were started anonymously but a few of them were begun by some very brave people who aren't afraid to use their real names.

Of course, the comments from "the other side" have all been what you'd expect:

You people should stop whining.

You people are being led by a spirit of bitterness.

Just get over it.

No church is perfect.

You people need to find healing.

I/we will pray for you. (Written in a way that makes it feel like a threat rather than a gesture of love.)

If you have a complaint, why don't you speak to the pastor instead of blogging? (I get tired of this one, especially when it's so clear the writer hasn't bothered to take the time to actually read what's already been said about the pastor not being willing to listen to any complaints.)

You people aren't following the biblical pattern for conflict resolution. (Again, if the poster would only PAY ATTENTION to what's being said they'd know that was already tried, over and over and over and over and over again....)


Sigh,


I did find it comforting to know I wasn't the only one who had a bad experience there, even though I wish nobody had had a bad experience! What shocked me though was that the overwhelming majority of those posting with "bad experiences" were former leaders and missionaries! Now that alone has to raise eyebrows somewhere.

Thanks again,

Shoe

[Jerry]

Hey,,,,I think Blogs are great.............however;Let the reader beware.Read several before even thinking of forming an opinion ;) My 2 cents ;)

[Carmen]

I think that some will consider blogging about church issues as gossip. But I don't think that always applies. I think it all depends on how you do it. And like Jerry says, you shouldn't believe everything you read. But I also like to say, "Where there's smoke there's fire." Such blogs aimed at a particular church can at least alert people that not all is well there no matter how well the place was whitewashed.

[Ladybug]

I am just learning and am using a blog. I like to post certain news stories. Sometimes I'll post what my day has been. Then as I've been working with it.

The Lord is showing me that this can be used as a means of witnessing. I don't mean using the 4 spiritual laws or taking someone down the Romans rd. I may want to post one my articles to encourage others....

Hope this helps. :)

[InTheory]

I'm a big fan of blogging-for me, it's a great way to feel like I can get things off my chest, and also to feel like I have "told the world," so to speak (even though I'm sure not more than a few people ever read it-LOL).

-Dan

[Worn Shoeleather]

Well,

The main blog I was referring to has been silenced.

I can only speak for myself when I say that it feels as if I've been stabbed in the back, again.


Shoe

:(

[wizeone]

I think they are brilliant, it has been incredibly theraopuetic to be able to deal with all those feelings and the bollicks that came up to deal with from my old church

ALso dealt with some really heavey stuff about my past, mainly coz of examples like haggard, I dont want anyone to be able to down the track go "Hey did you know what wize one did several years ago". Blackmailers only have power if the thing they are threatening to disclose is a secret and after being threatened by a cyber blackmail, I decided it was better to be completely transparent. For me walking in transpercy is a critical part of walking in integrity

[DiligentLily]

Well,

The main blog I was referring to has been silenced.

I can only speak for myself when I say that it feels as if I've been stabbed in the back, again.


Shoe

:(

Maybe you can start up one of your own!