Here is an excerpt of Sonshine’s story that she recently shared with me over email. I am glad I got out (of the Honor Academy) and went through years of therapy to get my head back to normal. I am still working on it. I think the most damaging effect that HA had on me, […]
“My hope is not in my moral progression but the cross of Jesus Christ alone.” – Matt Chandler 1 comments: Anonymous said… When we seek to be perfect according to man’s standards we have missed the mark. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love for it sums up the law and the prophets.
Here’s another excerpt from my correspondence with Erin (not her real name). I think the disconnect between the atmosphere people think they promote, and what is actually experienced by the people not in authority, is fascinating. It’s as though they lack the imagination to follow their ideas and teaching through to the logical conclusion. I
Comments spouting the TM party line will not be approved. Comments that fall into this category include variations of: – Teen Mania is doing great things so you can’t criticize them. – No ministry is perfect so you should quit criticizing. (imperfection is not an excuse for abuse!) – You shouldn’t blame or attack other
A mutual friend introduced me to Erin (not her real name). She has given me permission to reprint some of her emails which contain fabulous insights on how TM has affected her. My first reaction when XXXXX told me you’d started writing about spiritual abuse at Teen Mania was kind of funny and telling, so
Still Feeling it Years Later Read More »
A friend forwarded this email today… Hi there, My name is Tess Whelan, I’m contacting you from a documentary production company called NHNZ www.nhnz.tv in New Zealand. I’m currently researching for a potential television series based around cults and their practices for a USA network. This series will be an opportunity for people to tell
We’ve been talking about why the impossibly high standards at Teen Mania are so unhealthy. But, I can already hear the objections. “Many people can and do live up to these standards!” you say. Many people live up to these standards for a while. I know I did. I can think of several reasons why people
Why Standards are Evil Read More »
ESOAL starts tomorrow. I just want to encourage any current interns who will be participating that there is NO SHAME in ringing the bell (or not even starting in the first place). Often, the environment at the Honor Academy makes you feel like you don’t measure up as a Christian unless your meet all of
Let’s talk some more about Dave’s post that I highlighted here. Take a quick read to refresh your memory. When it’s all said and done, this way of living is just more works, more flesh, more striving dressed up to look like Christian spirituality. And it results in more pride for the successful and more despair
Two Fruits of the HA: Pride and Despair Read More »
It’s no secret that Teen Mania has a fascination, perhaps even obsession, with the military. In a blog post from 2006, Dave Hasz talks about where some of this fascination comes from: (2021 Update: blog has since gone down) This summer I experienced some interesting shifts in my relationship with God. These started after I visited Jeff
Jesus Wasn’t in the Military Read More »
I’ve addressed this head on by examining how the environment at the Honor Academy squares against typical cult characteristics. You can read the posts here: Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 3 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Conclusion Update Nov. 2010:
Is Teen Mania a Cult? An Overview Read More »
Keep those stories coming. I will be publishing them as we go. I think it’s helpful for others to read these and realize they are not alone. Some of these stories may be controversial because many former interns have left the faith. Though you may disagree with their current faith status, I would encourage you
What is with this fascination with military imagery and training? I really don’t get it. Does Jesus reflect this in his ministry? The only time Jesus ever got confrontational was with the Pharisees. He didn’t rail on and on about the evils of his day. He didn’t villify people. There are so few references to
Teen Mania’s Military Fascination Read More »
This email was sent in by Mike. If you would like to share your story, you can send it to recoveringalumni at recoveringalumni dot blog. Feel free to change your name and/or other identifying details if you prefer to remain anonymous. Hi. My name is Mike. I’m 31 years old. I was involved with Teen
More firsthand accounts of disturbing experiences at ESOAL written by interns. Here are a few “highlights” from a blog post written by an intern. Read the whole thing here. (2021 Update: Blog has since gone down.) Picture yourself in a concentration camp and you’ll get a taste of what I experienced. We were nothing, nobodies, lesser
ESOAL: Firsthand Accounts pt. 2 Read More »
That’s pretty much what I think of every time I hear about ESOAL. For those of you who are uninitiated, ESOAL stands for Emotionally Stretching Opportunity of a Lifetime. The interns call it “torture camp” for short. In reality, it should probably be called EABTNG or Emotionally Abusive Brainwashing and Torture in the Name of
Are They On Crack?? Read More »
Sorry for the long hiatus in posting. I went on summer vacation and business has been booming ever since I got back. Of course, it was also nice to go a stretch without having to think about and deal with my Teen Mania issues. Stay tuned and I will be attempting to cover 2 very
This is part 3 in the Grieving Series. Part I is here and Part II is here. There were several factors that contributed to my depression. Of course, there is the normal depression associated with the grieving process – grieving the losses I experienced at the Honor Academy. But, for me, there were also some other factors that
The Grieving Process: Depression & Loneliness Read More »
Molly over at Adventures in Mercy had a great post today.. “Jesus didn’t lace his relationships with expectations and he refused to be trapped when others sought to put expectations on him. He disappointed Mary and Martha by delaying his trip to Bethany when they begged him to come and heal their brother, Lazarus. He didn’t tell people all
Jesus Didn’t Manipulate Read More »
When I was an intern, the topics of legalism and performance came up quite a bit. In that environment, it was always a struggle to know where the line was. Now I see that although Ron Luce or Dave Hasz talk about grace and trust in Jesus, the overwhelming attitude presented to the interns is
The Pressure of Performance Read More »
These are just some of the things I’ve been called for bringing the serious problems of Teen Mania and the Honor Academy into the light. In fact, I’m not bitter. I generally give very little thought to Teen Mania in my regular, daily life. But after talking with so many other people who have gone
Bitter, Rebellious or Just Plain Disobedient Read More »
According to Wikipedia Ron Luce has both a bachelors and masters degree in psychology. Now, I have absolutely no training in that field (although I’ve been to my fair share of counseling because of Teen Mania’s influence) but why would he name his ministry Teen Mania? Mania is not a desirable psychological condition, and as
Teen “Mania” – Freudian Slip? Read More »
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant always honorable, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all adhere to a strict code of honor. Mark 10: 43-45 (re-mix)
The Bible According to Teen Mania #5 Read More »
It is a devastating thing to feel that God has failed you. That the promises you trusted Him to keep turned to ashes in front of your eyes. That the prayers you so desperately prayed go unanswered. That the purpose, destiny, calling, whatever – hasn’t come to pass. When many of the things I was
When God Fails You Read More »
One of the more cruel abuses of the Honor Academy is blaming the victim. If you are depressed, sick, can’t seem to feel God’s presence, or any other hard situation – it’s usually because you don’t have enough faith, aren’t seeking God enough or you are in sin. Head on over to itunes and check
Blame the Victim – Ron Luce Does! Read More »
