These are ALL extremely compassionate and balanced posts, eloquent and introspective. They speak from their heart, exuding grace and love. Thank you ladies for these poignant and honest posts.
I didn’t even know about this place until last night. All of you really are extremely strong people, whether you completed the program or not. I think I spent the majority of today reading almost all of the RA.com site. And I hope you never get tired of hearing this, but I feel so much for what some if not all of you have went through. I could probably go on all day about how much I feel for you all. I will keep it short and simple, flat out I hope the organization gets shut down by the authorities. Then maybe in the future a program that isn’t ran by fear for money by impressionable young adults can be formed that truly helps them find a more meaningful relationship with God, as well as teach them about themselves without pushing them to the brink of insanity.
I will certainly protest if I see an event near me.
Seriously, Anon? Why on earth does there need to be one more place singing TM’s praise? You do realize that your view of the HA is already massively promoted, right? The rest of us have very few outlets to share a negative experience. You are already free to share your positive experiences in all kinds of places that already exist all over the web. The pro side of this debate has already been more than adequately represented for years. In fact it was the only side represented for many years. I wish you people would quit freaking out about TM being unfairly represented. We have a website and a documentary, you have everything else. The world is not left unaware of the pro TM viewpoint, so ya’ll need to chill out!
Wow, great posts from some very strong and honest women. Thank you for sharing these!
“Love makes room for everyone and honors all experiences.
Love is patient, it does not require you to shut up and move on, figure it out, or become something or someone else.”
How very appropriate 🙂
If anyone is interested I also wrote a response in my personal blog for my recovery.
http://askanalumnus.xanga.com/756489661/msnbcs-mind-over-mania-documentary-my-reaction/
Yeah, that interview is chock-full of false and outrageous claims. It’s actually kind of funny. You can almost hear him speaking in his signature manic style.
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
– Common Book of Prayer
That’s why I like this book. When you don’t have the words, it just helps you find them!
Just wanted you all to know that there are several threads about the HA and the MSNBC documentary on Reddit. They are all in support of RA and are sympathetic to alumni who were hurt.
Today I wrote a rebuttal of Hank Hanegraaff’s article on the Charisma News website, entitled, “The Sophistry of Hank Hanegraaff — an examination of a defense of Teen Mania.” Please read it here: http://wp.me/p3TOr-N7
The URL might have been cut off in the last comment.
Try this:
http://liturgical.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/the-sophistry-of-hank-hanegraaff-an-examination-of-a-defense-of-teen-mania/
When Hank Hanegraaff says that “mind control” has been discredited, he is most likely referring to an early chapter/essay in the “Kingdom of the Cults” (KOTC) book below. It’s been a while since I read the essay, but it appears that what is being discussed in KOTC is different than the material presented/used by the Duncans.
In KOTC it discusses “mind control” as a method by which one individual gains total control over another. The person undergoing “mind control” then is no longer capable of making independent and rational decisions. It was believed at one point that hypnotism could aid with this process. Basically this is similar to the idea in “The Manchurian Candidate” (I have only watched the old one, I assume the new version is similar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Manchurian_Candidate_%281962_film%29).
From the material I have read about mind control provided on the site (see below), it appears that “mind control” references methods of emotional manipulation and abuse that however insidious do not render the individual incapable of rational decisions (although I have not finished reading this particular reference yet). Perhaps the Duncans could clarify (as I am most certainly not a cult expert)?
16 comments:
All three are beautifully written and heartfelt…thank you, ladies
These are ALL extremely compassionate and balanced posts, eloquent and introspective. They speak from their heart, exuding grace and love. Thank you ladies for these poignant and honest posts.
I didn’t even know about this place until last night. All of you really are extremely strong people, whether you completed the program or not. I think I spent the majority of today reading almost all of the RA.com site. And I hope you never get tired of hearing this, but I feel so much for what some if not all of you have went through. I could probably go on all day about how much I feel for you all. I will keep it short and simple, flat out I hope the organization gets shut down by the authorities. Then maybe in the future a program that isn’t ran by fear for money by impressionable young adults can be formed that truly helps them find a more meaningful relationship with God, as well as teach them about themselves without pushing them to the brink of insanity.
I will certainly protest if I see an event near me.
Seriously, Anon? Why on earth does there need to be one more place singing TM’s praise? You do realize that your view of the HA is already massively promoted, right? The rest of us have very few outlets to share a negative experience. You are already free to share your positive experiences in all kinds of places that already exist all over the web. The pro side of this debate has already been more than adequately represented for years. In fact it was the only side represented for many years. I wish you people would quit freaking out about TM being unfairly represented. We have a website and a documentary, you have everything else. The world is not left unaware of the pro TM viewpoint, so ya’ll need to chill out!
Wow, great posts from some very strong and honest women. Thank you for sharing these!
“Love makes room for everyone and honors all experiences.
Love is patient, it does not require you to shut up and move on, figure it out, or become something or someone else.”
How very appropriate 🙂
If anyone is interested I also wrote a response in my personal blog for my recovery.
http://askanalumnus.xanga.com/756489661/msnbcs-mind-over-mania-documentary-my-reaction/
Here is one of Ron Luce’s responses.
http://www.charismanews.com/culture/32292-ron-luce-responds-to-cult-implications-on-msnbc
Wow, Ron’s response in Charisma is so false and full of nonsense… I really expected something more soothing and honest. But no, lies and lies.
RA- How many times has he contacted you and asked for forgiveness for the things that his ministry did wrong? Was it really over and over again?!
Yeah, that interview is chock-full of false and outrageous claims. It’s actually kind of funny. You can almost hear him speaking in his signature manic style.
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
– Common Book of Prayer
That’s why I like this book. When you don’t have the words, it just helps you find them!
I think that it’s interesting that Charisma put up this article today:
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/32305-spiritual-abuse-christian-cults-and-controlling-ministries
(in light of their article referenced above) Yay Charisma; completely unexpected but encouraging.
Just wanted you all to know that there are several threads about the HA and the MSNBC documentary on Reddit. They are all in support of RA and are sympathetic to alumni who were hurt.
Here are some links to relavent discussions.
http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/
Thanks Reddit!
Today I wrote a rebuttal of Hank Hanegraaff’s article on the Charisma News website, entitled, “The Sophistry of Hank Hanegraaff — an examination of a defense of Teen Mania.” Please read it here: http://wp.me/p3TOr-N7
The URL might have been cut off in the last comment.
Try this:
http://liturgical.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/the-sophistry-of-hank-hanegraaff-an-examination-of-a-defense-of-teen-mania/
When Hank Hanegraaff says that “mind control” has been discredited, he is most likely referring to an early chapter/essay in the “Kingdom of the Cults” (KOTC) book below. It’s been a while since I read the essay, but it appears that what is being discussed in KOTC is different than the material presented/used by the Duncans.
In KOTC it discusses “mind control” as a method by which one individual gains total control over another. The person undergoing “mind control” then is no longer capable of making independent and rational decisions. It was believed at one point that hypnotism could aid with this process. Basically this is similar to the idea in “The Manchurian Candidate” (I have only watched the old one, I assume the new version is similar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Manchurian_Candidate_%281962_film%29).
From the material I have read about mind control provided on the site (see below), it appears that “mind control” references methods of emotional manipulation and abuse that however insidious do not render the individual incapable of rational decisions (although I have not finished reading this particular reference yet). Perhaps the Duncans could clarify (as I am most certainly not a cult expert)?