Home is where the hurt is!

Entire Article of Home is Where The Hurt Is



Here is a portion of the article listed above. To read the whole thing please click on the link above.

The Church's Role
For Christian women, faith may become another obstacle
to leaving an abusive and dangerous marriage. For women like Laura, some
teachings may confuse rather than clarify:

I think the church's contribution takes place much earlier than when it is finally perceived you are abused. So many times when I was frustrated with my husband, I leaned on my faith. My beliefs were about "turning the other cheek," "for better or worse," "treat others as you would like to be treated," all the sort of phrases that speak of unconditional love. They are profound, and they teach great things. But the church gives young women no perspective about protection, self-preservation, empowerment. Maybe these ideas are threatening in a basically patriarchal system. But the lack of them leads a well-intentioned wife to believe that selfless love comes before self-preservation. I was never taught to assess how others treated me. I was never taught that it was okay to stand up for myself.

In the family of faith, those who understand the servanthood of Christ and the concept of mutual submission within marriage -- and whose experience does not include domestic violence -- may see no problem with Ephesians 5:22-24:

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

Yet if we could see how some Christian husbands use these verses to justify their abuse, we would have second thoughts. In Jenny's marriage, her church-going, Bible-savvy husband interspersed his tirades with Scripture, but she says, "It was always used to hurt me."

Unfortunately, a woman who finally overcomes her denial, self-doubt and fear to seek help from the clergy may find someone who uses the same verses to send her back to do a better job of being a wife. Even if her pastor is sympathetic, he may not be knowledgeable.

Many survivors of domestic abuse complain that even if they were taken seriously, the attention automatically focused on the abuser -- restoring him in order to restore the marriage. A woman whose husband has controlled her and robbed her of autonomy needs more than a church intent on controlling the outcome of her situation. She needs a safe, neutral and compassionate place where she will not have to fight for believability and where she can find comfort while gaining the strength to take steps to provide safety for herself and her children.

Rev. Fortune says: "Treatment of families experiencing violence and abuse requires integrating the needs of the whole person. Thus the importance of developing a shared understanding and cooperation between secular and religious helpers to deal with family violence cannot be emphasized too strongly.

"Occasionally, a social worker, psychotherapist or other secular service provider will wonder, 'Why bother with religious concerns at all?' The answer is a very practical one: religious issues or concerns which surface for people in the midst of crisis are primary issues. If not addressed in some way at some point, they will inevitably become roadblocks to the client's efforts to resolve the crisis and move on with her life.

"For a pastoror other person approaching family violence from a religious perspective, there is little question about the relevance of religious concerns. Rather, they may doubt the importance of dealing with concerns for shelter, safety, intervention and treatment. [They may think], 'These people just need to get right with God and everything will be fine.'"

In cases of domestic violence there are urgent needs which just can't wait until the abuser is willing and able to "get right with God." There are resources available -- though, as is often the case, the secular world is way ahead of the church in addressing this social problem and providing help.

Christians can do better than we have in helping women trapped by
domestic violence:

1) Clergy can draw women out of isolation by opening the subject from the pulpit. As one pastor reports in the video, When You PreachRemember Me, "After preaching on this subject for the first time, the floodgates opened up, and a number of women came to me saying it was the first time they knew they could." Men also need to hear what is not acceptable and to know they can change.

2) We need to familiarize ourselves with the resources available to victims of domestic violence and make referrals to these agencies. At best, we might start volunteering to help in these agencies ourselves, working alongside those who are more knowledgeable and learning how to better serve those in need.

3) We need to stand ready to believe a woman who says she is abused and stay focused on her and her needs until she is safe.But first we need the humility to admit how far we have to go. Though our longing to serve wherever there is need might lead us to be on the cutting edge of understanding society's problems, often as not Christians remain not only unmoved by the pain and suffering outside church walls, but also blissfully unaware of that within.

And so while Jenny may have arranged the flowers on the altar, held our babies in the nursery and received communion with us a hundred times, we don't really know who she is. Unless a way is prepared for her to break the silence of fear and shame and doubt, we never will.


Barbara Curtis established a San Francisco crisis intervention program for rape victims, which is still in existence. She became a Christian in 1987.

Deluded Judge Suggests Domestic Violence Victim Wanted to Be Hit

AlterNet had this story on their blog today, and I just couldn't pass it up because of the INSANE reasoning this judge had!

Domestic violence cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute.

But every once in a while, prosecutors get handed the tools for a conviction on a silver platter: An impartial eyewitness who just happens to be a police officer.

Such was the case in a domestic violence trial that made the local papers here in Maryland last week. A cop pulling into an Exxon station saw a man hit his girlfriend in the face three times, called in back-up and had the man arrested.

But according to Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Paul Harris, who is "probably as against domestic violence as anybody, when the case is proven," one can't simply assume that a woman who is being hit didn't consent to the attack. "Sadomasochists sometimes like to get beat up," the judge reminded the courtroom--then acquitted the man.

The judge appeared to be in a snit because the girlfriend, the alleged victim in the attack, had disappeared, even though she had been ordered to testify. Ignoring decades of research proving that domestic violence victims are often too afraid and intimidated to testify against perpetrators, the judge discounted the female cop's eyewitness account.

Can you imagine?? He has a police officer as a eye witness, and he questions if it was done on purpose! WOW!

The link above has a video news story on this as well!

According to the Baltimore Sun:

According to charging documents, a police officer was on routine patrol when she saw Michael Antonio Webb approach a car at an Exxon station in Laurel. Webb reached in the driver's side door and swung his hand three times at the driver, police said.

Webb, 24, of Columbia is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 315 pounds, according to charging documents. Now serving a four-year prison term after pleading guilty to a drug distribution charge in June, Webb was unavailable for comment yesterday but had pleaded not guilty in the assault case.

His attorney, Kara Donaldson, was out of the country and could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The officer testified in court that she was 25 feet from the car at the time of the incident.

"I witnessed him use his right hand, not in a fist, but in, I guess, an open hand, and push the female's face. ... As I saw him grabbing her hair ... and trying to pull her out, that's when I called it on the radio," the officer said, according to a recording of the hearing.

The woman told the officer that Webb had attempted to pull her out of the vehicle, causing her hairpiece to fall off, and that he hit her in the face, though she characterized it as "more of a tap than a punch." The woman had no visible injuries, police said.

The officer testified, "She appeared scared. She was talking very quiet to me. She wasn't making eye contact with him."

The amazing part was the Judge Harris's comments afterward. You have to wonder how much he needed....maybe a video?

But Harris, in an interview in his office yesterday, said the state did not prove its case, saying there was "too much speculation."Harris noted that the jury instructions on charges of second-degree assault say that it must be proved that "the defendant's actions were not consented to by the victim.""How do you determine that without the victim?" Harris said, adding that criticism of his handling of the case was "blown out of proportion."

Harris said the sadomasochist comment was intended as a hypothetical. "I'm probably as against domestic violence as anybody, when the case is proven."

Here is a Link from the Baltimore Sun AUDIO Version of the verdict itself!

Lynn McLain, a professor at the University of Baltimore, said: "Very often, domestic violence victims do not appear and do not testify, and often that is because they are intimidated by the abuser."

Of the judge's comments, McLain said, "It certainly seems to me these comments were unusual. ... They were inappropriate. And I would suspect that those comments would be reported to the [Commission of Judicial Disabilities], and they would investigate to see whether they were inappropriate."

I personally hope the judge gets nailed GOOD! No matter WHO comes to him with a domestic abuse case you know HOW he is going to rule! I can only imagine what he would have said if it was the other gender was assaulted! I'm sure equally as insulting. Do Judges NOT have the responsibility to keep up with WHY things are done the way they are? His lack of Domestic Violence knowledge is appalling!

Preacher's Wife Guilty

Ponderings on a Faith Journey Wrote about Mary Winker's conviction of killing her Husband.

But the family, as traumatized as they must be, aren't the only parties involved. There is also a church, now without a pastor and facing questions about its judgment in selecting a pastor. From Ted Parks' article in the Church of Christ magazine the Christian Chronicle, we find out more about what's going on from within.

**The church’s progress after the shattering loss does not mean the congregation fully comprehends what happened the Wednesday morning in March 2006 when Matthew Winkler died.

**“The pieces just do not fit together,” said Fourth Street rember Pam Killingsworth. “I think there’s some things that weren’t meant to be understood. And we’re just going to have to live with that fact and go on with our lives.

**“At this point,” she added, “I’m ready just to give it to God, and let him take care of it.”

Indeed, this is a tragedy that affects families, congregations, and the church at large. in a week when we contemplate acts of violence, we find that this story is added to the others, and we grieve and we wonder. We pray and hope for better days.

Mary Winkler's story reminds us that even within the sanctity of a family, yes a clergy family, all may not be right. It's too bad that Mary didn't have a safe haven, but as is true of many pastor's wives there appears to have been no place to go and so she suffered in silence so as not to embarrass her husband -- until it was too late.

Within his writings he posted to an article Winkler case tests church, pulls it closer. It speaks of the Winker's church, and their moving on after this awful situtation that has happened.



Personally, the article really bothered me (Not the blogger - the article he linked to). They spoke alot about the ways they are moving on, and claims of being very much closer. I have to wonder how that can be since they have never truly dealt with the fact domestic abuse or violence effected their church in such a way....and yet they won't really speak about it. I'm NOT saying they need to take sides, or that they are not praying enough for this family after the fact. They spoke of the grieving and the forgiving and the almost constant prayers for all involved.



They have yet to speak about Domestic Abuse. It truly doesn't matter if they FEEL she isn't telling the truth about their beloved Pastor. The fact they have to KNOW some have doubts should give the opportunity to open that door! They had the opportunity to educate people on this, and make sure they KNEW they were a safe haven to come to in times of trouble. Instead they choose to basically say they feel that maybe some things are not meant to be understood.......and they will give it to God.



Domestic violence or abuse in all forms effects such HUGE numbers of people, and YES it is very confusing to deal with! It makes NO SENSE in alot of cases, and I can understand WHY other's doubt because of that! If you educate yourself on this subject it will make more sense. I think that is where the huge lacking is started. Like the Church of the Winklers "we don't understand so we will give it to God" is used out of fear I guess. It breaks my heart because the church could make this HUGE impact on lifes if they would TRY to understand. We will never understand it all, or never "GET" all of it. The mindsets are very complex, but the basics would be nice!



In the years since I started this blog I have found very little as far as sermons that I could post on this subject. I have asked Pastor's in the past WHY that is as well. There were all kinds of responses that to me were based more in FEAR and lack of ACCEPTANCE of their flock towards this issue being heard more than anything. The secular world is pulling ahead of them because of this bubble they tend to try to hide in. People have said SOME ways of worshiping (denominations) are more prone to allow this to happen than others. I personally dont believe that. There is no place where more blame is to placed. We are all guilty.



If they feel I'm wrong........ask them when is the last time they did a sermon on domestic abuse in their church. NOT a mention of it - the THEME! The SURE numbers of people - men and women - children and extended families that are effected by this should show they SHOULD be preaching about it! I think part of it is they are afraid they will open the floodgates within their church, and I can understand that as well! That is WHY you get your support network in PLACE before you do that! Their are ministries and local agencies that WILL respect your faith, and want to help your flock. They don't have to take this on alone, NOR should they! The basics should be understood so you can send them places that they can get help, and churches can support and help on the spiritual aspect! THERE your load is lightened already! LOL! There is nothing wrong with it either - you need experts!



Prayers are needed that these stories in the news lately of domestic abuse within Christian homes will WAKE UP some to speak against this awful AWFUL sin that is happening everywhere! We are to come along side and help the wounded. We have to educate ourselves FIRST, and then finally when ready take that toe and dip it into the waters of a world we have just begun to understand.



We as the church can do this! Lets us show the world HOW MUCH SO!

Contact Form

EmailMeForm

Contact Form

Hello World!

Feel free to contact me below. If you have a question about a particular article, or subject please include the URL (address of the webpage) in Question.

God Bless You All!

• Name
• Email
• Subject
• Message *
• Image Verification
  

  Please enter the text from the image:

  [Refresh Image] [What's This?]

Powered byEMF Web Forms Builder
Report Abuse

Domestic Violence the church's dirty little secret!

I found a good article on domestic abuse on the catholic online website. It speaks about a priest that is very active in the mission of helping victims of domestic violence.

Testimony by throngs of women being brutally victimized - humiliated, beaten and murdered - has caught the attention of social service agencies, law enforcement and the courts along with hospital emergency rooms, but churches have been slow to join in the fight against domestic violence.

Sadly, we already know that don't we. The next comment shows the fear I feel is within this subject for the church.

Since then, he’s learned to identify the signs of domestic abuse. “It’s a common social problem” that comes veiled in excuses and cloaked in embarrassment, shame and fear, he said. Women come in looking for “help for their husbands. They say, ‘he drinks too much and has a problem with anger.’ ” Father Dahm, the co-founder of Chicago’s 8th Day Center for Justice and an outspoken advocate for day laborers, economic justice and the homeless, knows what lies under those concerns - “she’s a victim of abuse.

“I think (the clergy) has to look it right in the eye,” he said. This means broaching the issue in the homily, perhaps in the form of an example for the purpose of making a point pertaining to violence. In his message to priests and deacons, he warned, “If you talk about it, then be prepared because the floodgates are going to open.”

I think at times people are so unprepared, and SO uneducated on this subject that is something they wish to avoid. Lets face it the church has alot on their plate at times, and when you look at how complex this can get - it must be overwhelming to them. I'm NOT justifying it - it just is!

Although the priest may be the one the victim seeks for help, it doesn’t mean that he has to become a family counselor. “I’m someone who is a bridge for them, to get them through to safety. I connect them with resources, then I don’t have to worry about it.”

I realize the above statement may sound a little cold, but it is truth! People need experts in the field when it come to this subject! You don't have to ever be hit by your partner or spouse for it never to happen! The weave of confusion over this subject truly needs the hands of experts! I think the church at times wants so badly to be 'hands on', and being the subject matter is so scarey and unbelieveable they tend to avoid, enable and make excuses instead. Sadly, that's human nature for alot of subjects.

When a woman opens the door to the secret pain in her life, he said, “How we respond in the first 15 seconds is critical.” It may knock a priest or deacon off base for a moment, especially if the woman and her spouse are highly respected members of the parish community, but her cry for help deserves an empathic response. He advised the clergy to offer immediate support with a phrase such as, “That’s terrible. How can I help you?”

Attention must be paid to the woman’s emotional state of mind, he added. “You have to give them permission to talk about the situation. You have to hold the abuser accountable.”

Having witnessed the result of brutality and ruled over the murderous consequences of abuse, Deacon Welter is unwavering in his attitude toward violence. He routinely tells women, “You have a right to be safe and free from harm.”

Meanwhile, churches need to become “user-friendly” by keeping a supply of pamphlets on-hand to help women in violent situations. “You don’t put them out in the narthex, where he can see you taking it or everyone in church can see you; put them in the bathroom,” she said. The USCCB has available “palm-size cards” with hotline numbers for help that she can put in her purse.”

How easy that would be, but I'm afraid some churches may get to many complaints.

The article link is referenced above, and its worth your time!

Juanita Bynum Speaks About Assault

First off I want to say that I feel badly for what has happened in their lives - both her and husband's!

I also want to say I'm not so sure I agree with the avenue she seems to be taking. She mentions at the beginning of the video that people were offering prayers for her after this happened. Those prayers made her feel weak. That made me feel uneasy right off the bat! I'm NOT saying prayers can't do that to a person, but I would assume those prayers were meant to uplift her in this awful time in her life! They were not given with some manipulative tone that you hear some use them as! WHY would she see those prayers as a Damsel in Distress? The Victim? She may have a similar experience to a lot of people when it comes to domestic abuse, but I sincerely believe she isn't ready to become advocate of this cause! How many people that have had this happen to them are emotionally, physically, etc ready for such a job? She was silent on this issue as she mentions, but now wishes to speak out. Speaking out is fine - especially about her OWN experiences maybe...or others since he is in the front of the media as well.

Having had this happen to you doesn't automatically give you the green light to become an advocate! There are a lot of things you must learn, and changes within yourself you MUST happen before then! It doesn't just TAKE a couple of weeks either! She might be a wonderful advocate somewhere down the road, and I'm NOT saying she can't speak on the issue! She doesn't have the qualifications to be an advocate in the realm in which I think she means! I have to wonder if she is getting caught up in this whole mess! I'm sure she means well!

I agree with her stating that most of the world HIDES from this issue, and its no secret what I feel with in the faith realm in regarding to that statement! They are lacking worse in more cases than the secular world! If she brings this cause UPFRONT where it belongs I'm all for that, but she has to be VERY careful with how she plans to do that! She has a lot of healing that needs to be done, and I'm NOT saying God isn't calling her to this cause....that isn't my MINE to call! I think she is pushing way to hard for now, and needs to concentrate on HER! She could be a very good spokesperson down the road, but she is to broken...because SHE is human like anyone else and that DOESN'T make you WEAK to admit that! All people that are involved in domestic abuse are broken, and that doesn't mean LESS THAN or objects of PITY! That doesn't HAND them the trophy of VICTIM HOOD! lol! People get so carried away with that! People become broken with all kinds of uglies in this life, and restoring yourself is part of it as well! Granted some roads are worse than others, and some woundedness is worse as well! She needs to stop thinking in terms of stereotypes, and realize she is human and its okay to say I'M Broken but I'm working on being RESTORED! With abuse the mindset of the individual must also change - that job isn't just for the abuser!

By her own admission the NIGHT in the parking lot was the first clue that her relationship had a bit more problems than usual. She hid her issues, and she didn't speak out about them. Why? I believe she has stated before she speaks of other aspects of her life! Abuse THRIVES in silence, and her judgement call she needs to admit was AWFUL...not just mention this is something she kept to herself! Her denial of the past is part of moving forward, and owning your part in this! The denial keeps us within the relationship! Our hiding does also! YES there are reasons for that, but if we can't even admit the hiding and denial was there.....lol when is the healing and growing going to begin? I mean that aspect of this! If she didn't have the wealth and the power to rid herself of him from her life.......would he really be gone now? I'm sure she might say YES, but when you are a different position...you just never know!

One point she did make VERY well is the fact that you didn't see to many celebrities or public people speaking out about THEIR experiences with this did you? Society as a WHOLE does in a lot of ways place this on the back burner as people that fight for this cause get burnt to a crisp with their efforts to change! There was a lot of media on this, and a lot of opinions on WHO did what WHEN...Who said THIS or THAT...and she is RIGHT! That isn't the issue here! Domestic abuse needs to come out of the closet! October is domestic violence month, and there are other causes as well that use this month....and you see a lot MORE coverage for that! It is a very scary subject for ALL involved, but if we are make a difference it has to be HEARD and recognized! She may be able to HELP there, but that is AFTER she heals herself! If that makes her feel weak.....she needs to check her pride a bit! Everyone involved with abuse has to do that, and its not easy.....and if she feels she will overcome THAT is part of it!

I will admit I don't know much about her story, but her not willing to admit to that reporter that she had been in another relationship with abuse.......just shows its a pattern in her life! Its very well documented if you don't take care of your issues it WILL happen again! Getting them OUT of your life is just the first one! Separation from the abuser is just the very FIRST baby step towards making yourself abuse free! That doesn't mean you won't run into an abusive personality again - it means you are better equipped to deal with it properly! We can see it sooner before the horror takes over our lives! We learn when to walk away EARLIER even if it breaks our hearts, and we are STRONG enough to use the LAW if necessary to KEEP them away for good! We are OKAY with people NOT agreeing with us, and are still very comfortable with what we feel! We find ways of NOT allowing people to make us feel stupid, worthless, or as if we deserves this! There are ALL kinds of factors that you may have - and another person has a different set to own! If we have a pattern in our lives, and that doesn't always have to be bad relationships in the past........we have certain mindsets we MUST get ourselves out of as well!

Pastor's Comments on Domestic Violence Awareness Rally

It can be so refreshing to hear a pastor from time to time "GET IT"! Its sad that a time came in which it was his secretary was the victim, and she died from it. From her death came a voice, and he sure says a mouthful!

Friends, as we rally today in the awareness of the domestic violence that diminishes the integrity of men and women, and of our homes and communities, let us rally today, in the hope of domestic peace, and the assurance that it is never God's will that anyone of God's precious children, whether boys or girls, men or women, old or young - it is never God's intention - to use boy-friends and husbands as instruments of divine punishment or retribution. It is never God's intention that anyone live in fear in their own home. It is never the intention of God that anyone should live in captivity and fear. So let us rally in the hope of domestic peace, knowing that peace in our time is God's will. Let us rally in the hope of domestic peace, knowing that the kingdom of God is not reflected in notions about the home being a man's castle. Let us rally in the hope of domestic peace, knowing if you are a Christian, that Christ came to bring peace to you; knowing that if you are Jewish, that the peace of the house is the shalom of right relationships; knowing that if you are Muslim, that in Islam is peace; knowing even if you are not sure what you believe, or if do not believe, that there can be no justification, no excuse, no rationalization for harming those you have made a solemn promise to love.

To often churches speak from an enabling point of view, and often push people to endure the abuse because of their faith. Jesus and all his faithful followers that came after him that died - died for a purpose! That purpose was our faith in our God, and our way of believing and living as he would have us. Some would say that we would be in sin if we sought a safe place. Some throw the fact that "WOMEN" are to obey their husbands! They twist and turn so much it makes a person that is hurting more dizzy, confused and feeling abandon. We are to suffer together in fellowship at times, but in seems with domestic abuse sadly most are left to themselves.

We practice hiding, ignoring and even PERPETUATING abuse of all kinds onto both women and men within the christian fellowships. Our legal system is very slow moving at times of much help that is needed to victims, and sadly the church is even slower! People are placed in a REAL nasty position of being encouraged to stay within the home that abuse is happening, and when they do are at times sneered at about their decision - to either stay or LEAVE! People are placed in a hypocritical place of either leave the church, or stay and ignore the abuse within your home. BOTH ways they are giving up on the spiritual fellowship, guidance, support that they are very desperate need of!

I will close with another quote from the author, and if you click the link on the articles title it will send you to the entire thing.

All too often I hear the Scriptures of my faith quoted in justification of abuse and harm, when they were meant to provide God's grace for families like yours and like mine to fulfill their dream of peace. All too often, women who are seeking advice from their clergy or faith leaders have been told to go back, to put up with it, to be quiet and be more obedient, when what they should have been told was that their lives are precious in God's sight, and that the abuse they are experiencing is grievous to the heart of God. All too often, communities of faith have tacitly condoned the actions of abusers by their silence or worse yet have reinforced the patterns and cycles of abuse by defending the false sanctity of so-called traditional family values.

But God's intention for households of peace is given from the opening chapters of the Biblical witness, and is continued right through to the very chapters so often quoted from the Apostle Paul as justification for the subjugation of women: for in the same sentence where Paul so famously speaks of obedience, Paul commands: Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly.

domestic abuse, domestic violence, submit, faith, pastor, enabling, peace in the home

Hurt Verses harm - How to know the Difference!

LINK TO VIDEO


Its says don't base your boundaries on the reaction you get!
One good comment was, "When you place boundaries down with a control freak don't expect them to call you blessed!"

Its entertaining, and will make you giggle! It also has a really good message!

Boundaries, Domestic abuse, Domestic Violence, faith, abuse, screaming, bad things happen, discipline

"An Open Letter to Pastors"

Applauds to Jeannie Babb Taylor and her article, "An Open Letter To Pastors"

Pastors, have you ever preached a sermon against domestic violence? Odds are, you haven’t. I’ve listened to approximately 4,000 sermons and have yet to hear a pastor condemn domestic violence from the pulpit.

Southern preachers prefer to pontificate on matters like abortion and homosexuality. Sometimes they rail against feminism. On occasion they preach against pornography, using the occasion to slam churchwomen over immodest attire. In every denomination, pastors preach often enough on tithing, and never fail to pass the plate. Yet they fail at addressing an issue faced by approximately one fourth of their congregation.

Recently a wildly popular pastor shoved the problem of Christian violence into the spotlight when he choked, kicked and stomped his wife in the parking lot of an Atlanta hotel. In the South, beating your wife may or may not be a crime. Records show that the most common law enforcement response to domestic violence is “separating the parties.” Victims rarely press charges because they fear reprisal. Law enforcement rarely presses their own charges (though they could and should), essentially treating wife-beating as a “victimless crime.”

The article starts out with!

I had to applaud and giggle at this part:

Bynum is pressing charges against Weeks and seeking to end the marriage. Attorneys for Weeks say he will contest the divorce on the grounds that she was cruel. The strangest part of this story is not that the man who kicked and stomped his wife is contesting the divorce or fighting the charges; that happens all the time. What is so bizarre is where this man was just a few days after the beating: He was behind his pulpit telling his congregation that the devil made him do it.

Finally, a preacher is talking about domestic violence! If only his congregation had responded with a resounding movement down the aisle – and right out the church door. No one should sit under the teaching of a wife-beater. The elders should have stripped this man of his title and never let him behind the pulpit again.

LOL Finally a preacher is talking about domestic violence! I love the sarcasm!

Very empowering article and worth the read!

An open letter to Pastors