Domestic Violence Within The Christian Church Community Must Be Exposed; Counseling Must Not Be Scorned

‪#‎DomesticViolence‬

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED:

ALL CHURCHES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HIRE FULL-TIME ABUSE PREVENTION ADVOCATES TO MAINTAIN LEGAL NON-PROFIT STATUS.

CHRISTIANS OFTEN COVER UP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO APPEAR PIOUS.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS IS AN IMPORTANT 2016 ELECTION ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN STATES.

THERE ARE MANY WOMEN, MEN & CHILDREN WHO ARE HURTING FROM THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE……..CHILD ABUSE…….AND SEXUAL ABUSE.

U.S. MILITARY VETERANS NEED COUNSELING NOT PILLS.

TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE & REBUILD LIVES.

As we approach the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election I would like to discuss the extremely important issue of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in American Society.

Especially the issue of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in American Churches.

It is long overdue to publicly address the issues of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE………..CHILD ABUSE……….and SEXUAL ABUSE in the CHRISTIAN Church Community.

I firmly believe that in order for each Church in America to continue claiming its Non-Profit Status, CHURCH Officials must Hire at least one real ABUSE Prevention Advocate on a Full-time basis to deal with these Destructive issues.

Having real ABUSE Prevention Advocates on Staff would greatly REDUCE the rate of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE………..CHILD ABUSE……….and SEXUAL ABUSE in the CHRISTIAN Church Community.

Preventing DOMESTIC VIOLENCE………..CHILD ABUSE……….and SEXUAL ABUSE in the CHRISTIAN Church Community is not an issue for DEMOCRATS or REPUBLICANS to address.

It is an issue for HUMAN BEINGS to address!

It is time for the SECRECY of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE within the CHRISTIAN Church Community to be Exposed so Hurting People can be Helped, not Hidden away.

The issue of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in American Churches is often more prevalent in the SOUTH due to the SOUTH long being considered the BIBLE Beltway.

CHRISTIAN Churches in the SOUTH are notorious for SEGREGATION........DISCRIMINATION........RACISM.......DIVORCE........CHILD ABUSE.......POVERTY and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE all in the name of CHRIST.

I am a CHRISTIAN and I am not ashamed of professing this truth.

However what I am ashamed of is how the CHRISTIAN Church Community in America has covered up & hidden DOMESTIC VIOLENCE for Centuries.

More so among CHRISTIAN Church Congregations in the SOUTH.

The BIBLE teaches that both the Husband & Wife are to be Submissive to one another.

Unfortunately in the American CHRISTIAN Church Community many Pastors Falsely teach that only Wives are to be Submissive.

Such False Teaching has encouraged many CHRISTIAN Men to think they are Authorized by GOD to Abuse and Disrespect their Wives & Children into Submission.

Many CHRISTIAN Men also have a False sense of Spiritual Security, because these same Men believe they can Beat and Disrespect their Wives, continue working in the CHURCH and yet still arrive in HEAVEN one day.

In many cases PASTORS (especially SOUTHERN Pastors) who are well aware of such DOMESTIC VIOLENCE occurring within their Congregations, turn a Blind eye and a Deaf ear by allowing CHRISTIAN Men who Abuse & Disrespect their Wives and Children to continue Serving in the CHURCH.

This includes positions of CHURCH Leadership!

There are hundreds of thousands of WOMEN within the 21st century CHURCH Community walking around with a SMILE on their faces, yet Hurting deeply inside due to False or Inaccurate Teaching about SUBMISSION.

I have personally read the BIBLE from Genesis to Revelation, but I have NEVER read in the BIBLE where GOD Authorizes or Encourages Men to Abuse or Disrespect their WIVES and Children into Submission.

I have personally read in the BIBLE where GOD tells Human Beings, including CHRISTIANS to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER", but I have NEVER read in the BIBLE where GOD Authorizes or Encourages Men to Abuse or Disrespect their WIVES and Children into Submission.

So how can CHRISTIAN Pastors teach such False information to their Members?

There have even been situations in the CHRISTIAN Community where in a particular Church just because a certain Woman is Disliked by other Women (due to Envy, Jealousy, Strife, etc.,)
the other Church members will CRUCIFY that Woman with SLANDER, Libel or by turning a Blind eye to that Woman being Abused & Disrespected by her Husband.

In fact in many instances those other Church members will encourage the Husband to continue Abusing that Woman, by Approving and Accepting the Husband, while Rejecting his Wife, whom they Dislike.

Of course this Pattern of Behavior often leads to DIVORCE or largely contributes to DIVORCE, which is another HUGE Problem within the CHRISTIAN Church Community.

Especially CHRISTIAN Churches in the BIBLE Belt SOUTH!

Many CHRISTIAN Men who Abuse their Wives are Hurting Men, who most likely experienced CHILD ABUSE or SEXUAL ABUSE during their Childhood.

But does the CHRISTIAN Church Community address or Counsel Men who are CHILD ABUSE and SEXUAL ABUSE Survivors?

NO!

Thus Hurting People Continue To Hurt Other People!

Just telling Hurting CHRISTIAN Men to FORGIVE and PRAY is Not enough.

It is True for Men who were Victims of CHILD ABUSE and SEXUAL ABUSE to Forgive their Abusers.

But after FORGIVENESS then what??

Human Beings were created by GOD to experience EMOTIONS.

If Men in the CHRISTIAN Church Community are Not taught how to properly HEAL and COPE with the after effects of CHILD ABUSE or SEXUAL ABUSE, they will grow into Adults and continue those same Patterns of ABUSE.

Are these examples of GOD'S LOVE?

How can the CHRISTIAN Church Community Criticize and Condemn MUSLIMS when they are Emotionally and Socially Killing their Own Members?

Many CHRISTIAN Men are also U.S. Military Veterans who are still Suffering from PTSD.

When those CHRISTIAN Men who are also U.S. Military Veterans visit their local V.A. Hospitals, the V.A. Hospital Doctors often prescribe a bunch of PILLS for them to ingest daily.

Those CHRISTIAN Men who are also U.S. Military Veterans are NEVER required to seek or be Counseled.

They are just prescribed a bunch of PILLS which they ingest like Candy, while receiving NO Mental Health Relief.

This is the reason why I Support Pres OBAMA and JOHN MCCAIN'S efforts to offer U.S. Military Veterans the option to seek Medical Care from PRIVATE PHYSICIANS.

Pastors within the CHRISTIAN Church Community REFUSING to provide Counseling to Men who are Victims of CHILD ABUSE and SEXUAL ABUSE is a huge Mistake, which continues to Fracture the American Church Society and contributes to Broken Homes.

Perhaps this explains the high number of DIVORCES in CHRISTIAN Churches.

Broken Homes equals Broken CHILDREN.

Broken Homes equals Broken WOMEN who must Struggle to Financially Start their lives over without a Second Income, or in many instances NO Income at all!

Many BLACK Men within the CHRISTIAN Church Community have had Several DIVORCES because it was widely accepted to just find another Wife.

Many BLACK Men within the CHRISTIAN Church Community, including BLACK Church LEADERS, are encouraged and allowed to "Try On Women" in the same manner Women try on Shoes in a Shoe Boutique.

Unfortunately many Pastors (BLACK & WHITE) do Not want to take time to deal with the Destructive Epidemic of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in the CHRISTIAN Church Community for Fear of their members leaving the Church and taking their MONEY with them.

Unfortunately many Pastors (BLACK & WHITE) also do Not want to take time to address ANY pertinent Socially Destructive Crisis in the CHRISTIAN Church Community such as SEGREGATION........DISCRIMINATION........RACISM.......DIVORCE........CHILD ABUSE........and POVERTY.

Why?

For Fear of their members leaving the Church and taking their MONEY with them!

I am Confused.

How can such Selfish, Mean-Spirited acts demonstrated towards other Human Beings be examples of GOD'S LOVE?

How can DOMESTIC VIOLENCE be an example of GOD'S LOVE?

How can SEGREGATION........DISCRIMINATION........RACISM.......DIVORCE........CHILD ABUSE........and POVERTY be examples of GOD'S LOVE?

Again I ask, how can the CHRISTIAN Church Community Criticize and Condemn MUSLIMS when they are Emotionally and Socially Killing their Own Members?

I could go on in this post but it's obvious I've written enough or maybe too much on the issue of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE within the CHRISTIAN Church Community.

I just want DOMESTIC VIOLENCE widely addressed on the National stage during the 2016 Elections.

I just want Women, Men & Children who need to HELP to have ACCESS to Counseling, Mentoring and Financial Assistance (JOBS & Affordable Housing) if necessary.

Look around.

There could be someone within your CHURCH who is a Victim of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.......CHILD ABUSE........or SEXUAL ABUSE.

It could be YOU.

It could be ME.

Please don't turn a Blind eye or a Deaf ear.

Let's Please STOP The Cycle Of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.......CHILD ABUSE........or SEXUAL ABUSE.

Especially within the CHRISTIAN Church Community in America.

Together We Can Save Lives!

Together We Can Build Or Rebuild Lives!

Talk Is Cheap!

Let's Put Forth Some ACTION!

It Is Cheaper To Help Someone Than To Bury Them.

It Is Cheaper To Help Someone Than To Incarcerate Them For Years & Years.

GOD IS LOVE.

Let The CHURCH Say "AMEN"

Sources & Statistics: Christian Post; Christianity Today; Youtube

ARTICLE: "The Church And Its Response To Domestic And Sexual Violence
Pastors Must Address Domestic And Sexual Violence"

Yesterday, I spoke at the Sojourners Summit at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. It's a diverse gathering focused on engaging the faith community in different aspects community engagement and service.

My role at the Summit was to present research we have recently completed, sponsored by IMA World Health and Sojourners around an important issue: how the church is responding to domestic and sexual violence.

Sojourners explained it this way:

Violence against women was named as a "significant public health issue" by the World Health Organization in 2013, which reported that 35 percent of women around the globe have experienced sexual or physical abuse by a partner or non-partner. And according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the chance of a man experiencing abuse at the hand of an intimate partner was one in four.

What makes this poll unique is that there is not much data on how pastors view and address the issues of domestic and sexual violence. According to Rick Santos, President and CEO of IMA World Health, "there is little information out there about what is actually happening in the U.S. faith community on this issue."

Despite the poll's major finding — that pastors underestimate the pervasiveness of sexual and domestic violence in their congregations — the report offers some hope. Of the pastors polled, 81 percent reported that they would "take appropriate action to reduce sexual and domestic violence if they had the training and resources to do so."

Sojourners recently published I Believe You: Sexual Violence and the Church , a study edited by its president and founder, Jim Wallis, and Catherine Woodiwiss, Associate Web Editor.

The study features three essays about women, sexual violence, and their experiences in dealing with their abuse in their churches.

It is a step forward in the effort to bring light to an issue that is often cloaked in darkness and to give voices to victims who often feel silenced by the church's failure to understand the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence.

"This is a conversation the church needs to be having but isn't," Wallis said. "We cannot remain silent when our sisters and brothers live under the threat of violence in their homes and communities."

Wallis was joined by Rev. Amy Gopp, Director of Member Relations and Pastoral Care at Church World Service who said "I hope this report will educate faith leaders about the importance of reaching out to domestic violence programs in their communities and creating strong partnerships so that survivors are served in the way they deserve."

The Christian Post shared details about the gap between occurrence and awareness:

Monica Taffinder, a Christian counselor who specializes in trauma recovery, depression, anxiety, and sexual abuse recovery, argues that many pastors tend to be somewhat naïve when it comes to the probability that both victims and perpetrators exist within their church.

"I really think people don't think that it happens in their congregation," Taffinder told The Christian Post. "I mean, [pastors] know these people. They see these people. They go to dinner with these people. They worship with these people. I know they're savvy enough to realize that there's just as much as they don't know people in their congregations as they do, but still."

The study also found that 65 percent of pastors had spoken one or fewer times about domestic and sexual violence, with 22 percent indicating they addressed it annually, while 33 percent mentioned it "rarely." Ten percent of pastors said they had never taught on it.

"Based on the number of times they speak to their congregations about sexual or domestic violence each year, the majority of pastors do not consider sexual or domestic violence central to larger religious themes such as strong families, a peaceful society, pursuing holiness, social justice, etc.," the report states.

You can find the full release from IMA World Health including a downloadable report.

It's an important issue and I encourage you to educate yourself and engage more fully on the subject.

THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE 2014: GIVING THANKS BY GIVING BACK

THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE 2014:

This year I Challenge All of my Facebook Family, Fellow Bloggers and Target Audience, to either Volunteer for 2 to 4 Hours in a Homeless Shelter or Children’s Group Home on Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day.

Or……………

Deliver a Decorated a Thanksgiving Dinner Basket/ Box with all of the Fixings for a full Thanksgiving Dinner to a local Homeless Shelter or Children’s Group Home.

GIVING BACK to others is always the best way to GIVE THANKS for our own individual Blessings!

Presidents Obama & Bush Team Up For Call To Community Service

Pres. Obama, elder Bush team up on call to service

Today President Barack Obama, who has called on Americans to perform more community service, joined former President George H.W. Bush in urging citizens to volunteer.

Bush on Friday was to host a forum on volunteering at Texas A&M University, to be attended by Obama, who initiated a "United We Serve" call to service in June that culminated in a national day of service on the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The forum is affiliated with the Points of Light Institute, an organization that honors people and groups who participate in community service. Bush created the Daily Point of Light Award in 1989 to honor volunteers. The forum will be held at the A&M campus at College Station, Texas, where Bush's presidential library is located. It was expected to draw students, faculty and Points of Light award winners. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a former president of the university, was planning to attend as well.

Cornerstone of Presidency

As a candidate, Obama promised to make a call to public service a cornerstone of his presidency.

On the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this year, on Jan. 19, the day before Obama's inauguration, the president-elect, Hollywood stars and thousands of other Americans volunteered across the country.

In April, Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which tripled the size of the AmeriCorps community service program.

And in late June, when Obama kicked off the call to service program, he and his family worked with other volunteers at Fort McNair in Washington and helped load 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks and toys for children with parents in the armed forces.



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Sources: MSNBC, Google Maps

Pres. Obama Throws All-Star Game First Pitch For: Health Care Reform, Stimulus, Community Service, Sotomayor etc.,

MSNBC, Huffington Post----

(President Obama throws out first pitch of 2009 All Star Game. It looks like he was throwing that pitch for Health Care Reform, Stimulus Success, Community Service, Financial Regulation, Urban Renewal, High Speed Rail, Equal Education, Sotomayor and Benjamin's Confirmation Hearings, etc.,)



ST. LOUIS - President Barack Obama was true to his word: He didn’t bounce it.

Pres. Obama’s ceremonial First Pitch at the All-Star game barely reached the plate Tuesday night.

St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols helped the president, moving up on the plate and reaching out to scoop the low toss.

Obama had warmed up on the White House grounds Monday night, and was determined his pitch would get there on a fly.

“We did a little practicing in the Rose Garden,” he said during a half-inning with the FOX broadcasters. “This is as much fun as I’ve had in quite some time.”

Wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket, jeans and sneakers, and cheered by the sellout crowd at Busch Stadium, Obama walked out of the National League’s dugout on the first-base side, shook hands with Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial and trotted to the mound.

From right on the rubber, 60 feet and 6 inches away, Obama wound up and bit his lip as he let go. The left-hander grimaced slightly, and gave a fist pump when Pujols — a Gold Glove first baseman — made the neat grab with a specially made black mitt with “Obama .44” and an American flag on it.

Obama became the latest Chicago hoopster to try his hand at baseball. Like Michael Jordan, the president looked more natural in his other job.

“I did not play organized baseball when I was a kid and so, you know, I think some of these natural moves aren’t so natural to me,” Obama said.

The All-Star game capped off a big sports outing for the president. He began the day by greeting Wimbledon champion Serena Williams at the White House, then picked up Hall of Famer Willie Mays in Michigan for the flight to St. Louis.

Asked what advice he gave Obama, the Say Hey Kid said: “Follow through.”

“He’ll be fine. I guarantee it,” Mays said aboard Air Force One.

This was the second time Obama threw out a first ball at a big league game. As a U.S. senator, he did it when his favorite White Sox played the Angels in the 2005 AL championship series.

“When you’re a senator, they show you no respect so they just hand you the ball. You don’t get a chance to warm up,” Obama said. “Here, at least they had me down with Pujols in the batting cage, practicing a little bit.”

Obama’s motorcade left the ballpark in the bottom of the fourth inning, and he was due back at the White House shortly after midnight EDT.

After landing in St. Louis, Mays and Obama walked off the plane arm-in-arm, and headed to the ballpark.

Obama first visited the NL’s clubhouse. Known for trash talking on the basketball court, he saved a little bit for the locker room.

After greeting Pujols, the most fearsome slugger in the majors, Obama went over to Milwaukee star Prince Fielder, who won Monday night’s Home Run Derby.

Pointing at Fielder, the president said, “Hey Albert, what happened, this guy, man — in your home park? What’s going on, man?”

Obama left that side with a souvenir, too. Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, like Obama from Hawaii, gave the president some macadamia nuts.

NL starting pitcher Tim Lincecum enjoyed meeting Obama.

“He signed a baseball for me and shook my hand, and just went around saying hi to the various guys in the clubhouse, and expressed his love for the White Sox, I guess,” he said.

Next stop was the AL clubhouse, where he jibed Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter for being so old and signed an autograph for Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. A White Sox fan, Obama was glad to see pitcher Mark Buehrle, the only representative from the president’s favorite team.

Hours earlier, Buehrle was asked whether he thought Obama realized the White Sox only sent one player to St. Louis.

“I’m not sure he knows that. He’s got other things to care about,” Buehrle said then.

Obama and former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter joined together for a seven-minute video about community service shown on the scoreboard at Busch Stadium and Fox.

George W. Bush was noted for his particularly impressive first-ball throws. Then again, baseball was in his background as the former owner of the Texas Rangers.

Earlier Tuesday, Obama talked about his upcoming pitch.

“You know, my general strategy the last time I threw a pitch was at the American League Championship Series and I just wanted to keep it high. Now, there was no clock on it, I don’t know how fast it went — but if it exceeded 30 miles per hour, I’d be surprised. But it did clear the plate,” he said.

Like at that playoff game, Obama got the job done. It probably helped, too, that he practiced Monday night on the White House grounds with personal aide Reggie Love.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig had invited Obama to the game.

“It’s a big thing. The players will enjoy it. The fans will enjoy it. But it’s another testament to the meaning of this sport,” Selig said earlier Tuesday.

“We are a social institution and whether we want to admit it or not, and for years I don’t think baseball wanted to admit that, we do have enormous social responsibility, and clearly that intrigued the White House and the president.”



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Sources: MSNBC Sports, Huffington Post, Whitehouse.gov, Google Maps, Youtube

Chris Brown Agrees To Plea Bargain Deal

OC Register----

Singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to one count of Felony assault on pop star Rihanna.

Brown entered his plea before a preliminary hearing was scheduled to start in Los Angeles on Monday.

Rihanna had been on standby to testify.

Brown will be sentenced on Aug. 5, but the terms of the plea deal call for him to serve five years of formal probation and six months – roughly 1,400 hours – of community labor. Brown will be able to complete his probation in his home state of Virginia; he will have to do either graffiti removal or roadside cleanup for his service.

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said the terms were in line with what others receive when they're charged with similar crimes and who have no prior criminal history.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg also ordered the singer to stay away from Rihanna.

After Brown entered his plea and left the courtroom, Rihanna entered and was addressed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg, who explained to the Barbados-born singer that she had issued a stay-away order.

Rihanna, 21, had not been seeking a stay-away order, but the judge imposed one. The order requires that Brown and Rihanna stay at least 50 yards from each, except at industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards.

The judge also told Rihanna it's not a one-way order and she will be in violation if she gets closer to Brown than the order allows.

Rihanna was informed of the deal about an hour she could have been called as a witness, her attorney, Donald Etra, said. He said the singer “did not object” to the terms of the deal.

Schnegg accepted Brown's plea, but expressed some concerns because Brown is not a California resident. She said Brown likely will be allowed to do his community service in his home state of Virginia. He'll have to return to California for updates every three months. He'll also be required to attend domestic violence classes.

Brown spoke softly throughout the hearing as he waived his rights and told the judge he understood the gravity of his plea.

“I think it's commendable you took responsibility for your conduct,” Schnegg told Brown.

She said she hoped “the terms and conditions of your probation will have some meaning.”

The deal provides an end to a case that sparked intense media interest and severe backlash against Brown. Sponsors and radio stations dropped him, and the singer had to cancel several high-profile appearances, including a performance at the Grammys.

The singer once known for his squeaky-clean image now has a substantial blemish on his record. He must now also remain out of trouble for the foreseeable future.

Lawyers for Brown and Rihanna have refused to discuss the status of the pair's relationship.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after police say he hit and threatened Rihanna after leaving a pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles. He was later charged with felony assault likely to produce great bodily harm and making criminal threats.

If convicted, the singer faced sentences ranging up to nearly five years in prison.

Brown, 20, rose to fame after the 2005 hit “Run It!” and his popularity has only grown. He was nominated for a Grammy for “No Air” with Jordin Sparks and named Billboard's top artist in 2008.

In the months since the incident, both musicians have gradually appeared in public more frequently. Lately they have been photographed separately, including at a National Basketball Association finals game between the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.

Rihanna, 21, recorded one of 2007's most popular songs with “Umbrella” and has numerous other hits. Her looks have made her a cover girl for magazines, as well as a pitchwoman for Cover Girl cosmetics.


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Sources: MSNBC, OC Register, Yahoo News, E!Online, Google Maps