Warning Signs You are in a Cult

The following article is from http://www.esama.ca

If you suspect the group you are in is harmful, but are not sure, ask yourself these questions:

• do they claim to have a special corner on the truth, something no other groups has?
• are you told to not question what is being taught, as the leadership are godly, honest, have divine authority and you must trust them?
• are you discouraged from asking questions as to why members have left, and expected to accept the reasons the group leadership gives you?
• do they put down other churches, groups, etc, while pointing out their faults and errors to build themselves up? do they use peoples faults and sins as examples of what to do and what not to do?
• are you made to feel your failures, as though your performance is not up to par to their righteous standards?
• do they recommend for you to be around their people, expecting you to attend all group activities? if you do not, are you are questioned about your spirituality or dedication?
• do they stop you from reading anything negative about themselves?
• do they call those who fall away enemies, dogs, or cancer, even using examples from the Bible or other such materials?
• do they place an emphasis on evil and the devil, declaring that the world outside is a threat to the group?
• do they defend themselves in every area?
• do they give importance to a spiritual goal, such as enlightenment, godliness, salvation, that has no real tangible way of being measured?
• do they operate in humility, or seem arrogant, and make demands on you to obey, using such statements such as “real believers obey without question or if you really were a devoted follower you would do such and such"?

Be aware of:

• an instant bonding or friendship without even knowing you
• being told you have a special calling or potential and that if you join you will move further ahead; flattery is used often in cults
• when you ask questions about the history of the group, the answers are vague or avoided altogether 
• feeling that something is being hidden from you

Cults will always divide the family unit instead of bringing them together. They will make you choose between God and their church. They use scriptures such as: "Jesus came to bring a sword, not peace" or "one must give up brothers, sisters, wife, and house for the kingdom and be a true follower". Children often become the most hurt because of strict rules enforced on them. They lose their childhood and are deeply affected, being unable to adjust later on in life. Religious systems that are not balanced can be socially and psychologically disastrous for innocent children.

http://www.esama.ca

Guest Post

The following was received from an anonymous reader:


Why do the people of Calvary hide from the truth? Why do they repeat gossip they have heard from the pastors without talking directly to the individuals involved? Why can a pastor say someone is in sin and has lied and so their family can be taken away, but the same idea does not exist for themselves. If they sin and someone accuses them of lying, do they have their families taken away? Plenty of people have been saying Pastor Scott has sinned and lied. Why is his wife and family not taken away from him? If that is even the godly thing to do? Double standards? Are pastors untouchable, like God himself? No.They are just men, to be judged at a higher standard of conduct because of the position of trust they occupy. To be watched closely and expected to be above blame and reproach, within and without the Church. Pastor Scott and his pastors have obviously failed that simple test. They have become a reproach to all that is pure and good and honorable and holy. The innuendo and intrigue surrounding Calvary Temple has God-fearing people stunned. And some are getting fed up with it.  Righteously angry.  Ready to do something, alongside the praying they have been doing for years.

Whether Pastor Scott is guilty of the open allegations exposed by men of integrity via their articles on their blogs, is something outside pastors should investigate. Obviously the pastors inside Calvary are compromised, because Pastor Scott holds their homes, and paychecks, and ultimately their wives and reputations in his hands. As he has destroyed so many people already, he undoubtedly will try to defame them IF they speak publicly. Pastor Richard Miller is a case in point. He left Calvary Temple saying he could no longer support what Pastor Scott was doing. He was marked a heretic, and refused to be allowed to see his son and his grandchildren. Months later, after a meeting set up by his son [a pastor under Pastor Scott himself], he says he has agreed to disagree with Pastor Scott, while Pastor Scott announces in Calvary Temple that Pastor Miller 'repented'. This is a statement that Pastor Miller denied empatically, that he had nothing to repent of and it was not true. He expressed this sentiment with several individuals. However, he would not call Pastor Scott out on such a blatant lie, and was restored to fellowship with his son and grandchildren. Something smells fishy here.  Months later, an anonymous tip came in via Calvary Temple member, that Pastor Miller's legal representative was hired and paid for by Pastor Scott regarding the IRS investigation into Calvary Temple.

Hmmmm, not just fishy, more like a bunch of dead fish.

-anonymous reader-

Wrong Response, Mr Scott

In light of recent events concerning the Duggar family and their eldest son, The Village Church with Matt Chandler, as well as allegations closer to home here in Calvary Temple, I would like to examine some of the incorrect responses by those facing accusations of sin.

1. Focusing sympathy on the perpetrator, not the victims.  In the firestorm of media coverage concerning the Duggar family, very little has been said about the victims. Josh Duggar has been the recipient of countless affirmations of support from the Christian community whereas the victims have hardly been mentioned. Those of us at Calvary Temple experienced much the same when many of us received an email telling of the actions of our pastor. A panel discussion immediately ensued in which all those in leadership spoke of their unconditional support, love, admiration and forgiveness for Mr Scott. Nothing was mentioned concerning the two children that were the alleged victims of abuse. (rather, we were led to believe the actual sin was a single act of adultery). It would be expected that these children experienced life-long, devastating, consequences. Yet, we hear of the "limp" that Scott has had to endure for these many years. "Some of you have just been enlightened of things that created in me, as I've shared with you, a limp thirty five years ago, and I have been limping ever since." (Spiritually Minded Part 3 4/23/08 Wednesday PM). Can we really compare his "limp" with the devastating and life altering consequences in the lives of two children?
2. Can't you forgive?  The burden is often put on the victim to forgive his/her abuser, even to the extent of being told their salvation is dependent on them quickly offering forgiveness. (whether the perpetrator is repentant or not). The victim is allowed little or no time to work through the traumatic experience but must instead act as though all is forgiven and they no longer are in deep emotional pain. Nothing is done for the victim - all the while the church rallies around the perpetrator. In a recent event connected to The Village Church, member Karen Hinkley learned of her new husband's long term, deep involvement in child pornography, lies, cover-ups, and betrayal. The Village Church put her under discipline for seeking an annulment of her marriage. Her husband was to be forgiven, little was said about his victims. (Matt Chandler, the head pastor, has since apologized for this action after an onslaught of negative criticism and publicity). Here in Calvary Temple, the congregation was told to forgive Star Scott of his sin and understand that there would be NO consequences. We were told it would be treading the blood of Jesus beneath our feet if we did not forgive him. As has been said many times, if someone is truly repentant, forgiveness is freely given - but it does not negate the consequences. According to 1 Timothy 3:2 he was disqualified from the role of overseer. And of course, there are legal consequences for the actions outlined in the email written by his own son. 
3. But look at the good I've done. When the email was sent out saying Star Scott had been involved in a heinous sin, he used the following defense of his actions: (you will find his explanation difficult to follow, stick with it, you will eventually get what he is saying). "Through all of this situation I've had to-there are still some things that are having to be dealt with, and I called my family out west, the family that is involved in this situation, and talked with my uncle. I can't-I've got to be very careful that I don't put just anything out that doesn't need to be there that glorifies the enemy, (i.e., the truth) but there's a really good point that I want to share with you. As I was talking to him, he said, "Bob, let me tell you something." He had never said this before. He said, "I want to tell you something. Twenty years ago when I called and talked with you and we'd addressed this situation, ...following that we had a discussion of, What do we do with this? What do we do at this time?'" And this is part of the tragedy (tragedy??? it is a tragedy to deal with the truth coming out? but not a tragedy for what happened?)-I don't know what's going on in the spirit realm, and why we're experiencing and facing what we are. It was never the intent of any of those that were the primaries, but I never knew why it wasn't an intent on that side.  (now here comes the supposed reason there were no charges brought) He said, "We sat down and we talked and I said, You know what? God's hand is on that man, and if one soul can be saved by us bearing whatever burden (whatever burden???)  we need to bear, it's worth it."  (I wonder if the victims would agree with this assessment). And I shared with him on Monday--having never heard that, I shared with him, "I just want to tell you one thing. It's been more than one soul." [Pastor motioned across the congregation, indicating the multitude that have been affected by his ministry.] Amen? God's good! God's good! (Spiritually Minded Part 3 4/23/08 Wednesday PM). So the fact that he believes he did a "great work" excuses him from the consequences of his actions? How is it he was exempt from the consequences of breaking the law? Why did people decide to skirt the law and not report a crime? 
4. Let's call it persecution.  In Calvary Temple, revealing sins (that are of a law-breaking variety) of its leadership and/or members is called persecution. In the true church, it is called TRUTH.  
5. We cannot be distracted:  "We're not going to be distracted by Satan's onslaught, and as we shared here when the men stood the other day with us in the panel...a reminder right now to us as a people, to myself, that this is no time that I can allow myself or that any of us can have the luxury of being distracted. We're at war. God is doing a great thing in our midst". (Spiritually Minded Part 3) The immediate response is to shift attention from the actual sin and allegations of sin to the "great work" God is doing. Taking time to reveal and deal with sin is not being distracted from the "great thing" happening - it IS the great thing happening. God purifies and cleanses us, not allowing us to remain in unconfessed and unrepentant sin. Dealing with sin in the church is not a "luxury", it is biblically mandated.  "For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  1 Peter 4:17  
6. Feel Sorry for Me:  Very much like #1 is the perpetrator himself soliciting sympathy. "As I was looking at getting ready for tonight, I really wasn't looking forward to this evening. I'm just tired, used up right now, beat up, and I thought, Lord, how can I stand and bring Your Word in the condition that I'm in right now? And He said, "Don't let Satan bring you back into the bondage of thinking that you've done something good because of thirty-five years of obedience. You're just an unprofitable servant. The problem is not that incident; the problem is you're depraved." In Calvary Temple, this response is extremely effective. Not only does Mr Scott receive sympathy for his exhausted, beaten up state, he also reminds everyone that they are NO DIFFERENT from himself. He tells the congregation that his sin is not anything other than the actions of a depraved man - just like all of the congregation. But I would contend that the consequences of Mr Scott's sin might be a little different for both the victims and for Star Scott. "But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning". 1 Timothy 5:20. And finally, he puts God's stamp of approval on himself by reminding the congregation of his 35 years of "obedient" ministry, saying GOD SPOKE TO HIM, and told him to CONTINUE ON.
7. The Devil Made Me Do It: To quote Star Scott again - "the problem is you're depraved." This approach allows the perpetrator to shift responsibility for his actions from himself to satan.  
8. And to continue the thought above, Star Scott tells the congregation that there are to be NO CONSEQUENCES for him (other than the limp, of course). As most of us are well aware, Star Scott falsely teaches that THE SIN NEVER HAPPENED. Therefore, the only thing God speaks to him is to continue on with doing "this great work". The congregation was told to "not tread the blood of Jesus beneath their feet" by requiring an explanation for 35 years of covering a sin. Star Scott himself stated very boldly that he REFUSED to speak to it anymore. It is very convenient for such a one to declare  "I repented, God forgives me, therefore the sin never happened. Case closed. End of discussion".
9. Shoot the Messenger This is another effective technique used to divert attention from the perpetrator. Mr Scott uses the pulpit to create a common enemy. If he can disparage those that have brought out the truth - the congregation rallies around Scott, the "whistle-blowers" lose all credibility, and he has a free hand to continue speak against those that have left. He groups those attempting to speak the truth into one category: "People who have walked out of our midst have absolutely no fear of the Word of God, and have no belief that we can bind and loose, mark, and turn over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. They walk away with no fear and no reverence for the Word of God or for the authority of the church." (A Little Leaven Pt 1 2008). He indicates that EVERYONE disagreeing with him is spiritually lost. In reality, there is a fear among those of us willing to speak out - a fear that children will be harmed, families will be divided, couples will divorce and loved ones will be lost.   

These are just some of the techniques used for shifting attention from the transgressor. (An additional example can be read at The Wartburg Watch.) There are many others freely employed in Calvary Temple.  




Proverbs 28:13   Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper but the one who confesses and renounces; he finds mercy.  

1 Cor 4:5   The Lord will bring to light the things hidden in the darkness.
John 3:19   This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
John 3:20   For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Romans 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Covering sin, hiding sin and spinning sin will ultimately destroy a church.

Father's Day

It has been many years since I have heard Star Scott's teachings concerning the family and specifically fathers, but I suspect they have not changed throughout the years. He taught that fathers were to reinforce the teaching of the pastor rather than hear from God for the leading of their own families. He spoke of families having "family time" at church - "what better place?" he would ask. He emphasized that the family is secondary to the meeting of the church. In the midst of these teachings, he communicated the strong message that to stay home with your family on a Friday night for "family time" (he would say "family time" rather mockingly) was akin to indulging one's flesh. Scripture says otherwise and therefore I offer the following from the Source of all truth:

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

And fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8

…clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to practice their religion toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 1 Timothy 5:4.


From Pastors:


If therefore our houses be houses of the Lord, we shall for that reason love home, reckoning our daily devotion the sweetest of our daily delights; and our family-worship the most valuable of our family-comforts… A church in the house will be a good legacy, nay, it will be a good inheritance, to be left to your children after you.   Matthew Henry, Clergyman

A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.  Chuck Swindoll, Pastor

In the family, life is brought not only to our doorstep, but into our kitchens, bedrooms, and dens. In the family, life is happening all around us, and it begs to be questioned, evaluated, interpreted, and discussed. There is no more consistent, pregnant, dynamic forum for instruction about life than the family, because that is exactly what God designed the family to be, a learning community.  Paul David Trip, Pastor

“The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.”  Billy Graham

We do not develop habits of genuine love automatically. We learn by watching effective role models – most specifically by observing how our parents express love for each other day in and day out.  Josh McDowell

Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Charles Spurgeon

You want to mess up the minds of your children? Here’s how – guaranteed! Rear them in a legalistic, tight context of external religion, where performance is more important than reality.  Chuck Swindoll

Having sat under Star Scott's teaching for many years, I can well imagine his rebuttal to the concept of "family time". During the years we attended Calvary, he frequently quoted this scripture:

Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and even more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25


Mr Scott frequently used this scripture to justify the endless meetings we were required to attend. "and even more.......amen?!!!" he would emphasize. So my question is - why have the leaders and members of Calvary Temple put a limit on this scripture? If the meaning of this scripture is to encourage believers to meet together increasingly more and more, then why is CT only meeting 5 or 6 evenings a week? Why not every morning and every evening? Why not stay home from work? Or why not live in one place so that they can fulfill the "even more" portion of this scripture? Why has the leadership of Calvary Temple placed a limitation on "even more"?


According to Bible scholars:


There was a regular meeting of the church on the first day of the week. The believers were admonished to regularly attend this meeting of the believers - to be faithful to this church-wide meeting - and to remain faithful - and even more as we see the Day approaching. It did not mean to have more and more meetings - it meant to be faithful to the meeting of the church on the first day of the week.

In addition to the regular meeting of the church, there were other meetings for specific purposes. The church met to pray for Peter when he was arrested by Herod. Paul taught in the school of Tyrannous at Ephesus for almost 2 years. Many believers met in their homes for fellowship and breaking of bread. But these meetings were for specific purposes, or for a limited time, or attended by some and not others. The church - meaning the followers of Jesus Christ - was led by the Holy Spirit to carry out His work on the earth and therefore, met as God led them. To be equipped for that work, they met weekly. It is this weekly meeting that they were encouraged to attend "even more as we see the Day approaching".

If the church is to meet every night of the week as well as "even more", culminating in a constant attendance of "church", then the above scriptures concerning fathers and their families cannot be carried out. God set us into families for a reason. It is the place where fathers and mothers, being equipped by God, carry out the biblical teachings necessary to train the next generation. It is the parent's God-ordained responsibility to teach their children "when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." The meeting of the church on the first day of the week is the time when the five fold ministry equips the saints to do this work in their families as well as their own Jerusalem.

Fathers in Calvary Temple are not able to fulfill the scriptures concerning their own families. There is no time for them to bring their own children up in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord when they are continually handing them over to others to do the work. And there is no example being set of a father seeking God for the direction of his own life as well as that of his family. His children are not learning to hear from God, they are learning to hear from the pastor. If we as believers are being equipped to do the work of the ministry, then we need time to DO it, beginning in our own homes.


Fathers, on this day, please take back your God-given right and responsibility to lead your own family.


Happy Father's Day

A Reminder to Calvary Temple Members

By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention Specialist

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
9. The group/leader is always right.
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

To the members of Calvary Temple: Please be honest with yourself and examine your church and its leaders in light of these signs. Please pray and ask God for wisdom concerning His church and His true shepherds. For more information about authoritative and abusive churches, please click on this link.  

Follow the Leader

Needs no explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMIe-QhCxmg



Jeremiah 5:30-31    An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so.  But what will you do in the end?

Ezekiel 34: 1-2     The word of the Lord came to me:  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them—to the shepherds: This is what the sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not shepherds feed the flock?

Matthew 7:15    Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.

Matthew 20:24-26    And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,…

John 10:11    I [Jesus] am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 16:13    But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.

I'll Have a Glazed with Chocolate Sprinkles, Please

According to Star Scott, he would be willing to bring the "folks across the street" some coffee and donuts and even rope off a bit of land on Calvary Temple's property; allowing them to exercise their constitutional right of free speech. But just the other day we learned that he has contacted the Countryside Homeowners Association to find out if they can have the protestors removed.

So, on one hand - Mr Scott publicly tells the congregation and the community that he is completely fine with protestors speaking out. But hidden behind the scenes, non-publicly, covertly, furtively, in the darkness,  - he attempts to put a stop to the protest. Why does he say one thing to the congregation and the community and do something else secretly?

Mr Scott, that is called hypocrisy, deception, and lies. "Deceived and being deceived."



Luke 8:17 For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

Luke 12 2-3 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Daniel 2:22 It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.

Who is Deceiving and Being Deceived?

Star "Bob" Scott has said that he has no statement to make concerning the very serious allegations against himself, Calvary Temple and members of its leadership. And yet, he seems to have quite a bit to say to his congregation.  

1. Busybodies: According to Star Scott: "Part of what we are dealing with here is a whole boatload of busybodies. It's called social media but it's just a bunch of busybodies. God calls them in the same category with murderers, thieves and evil doers. These people that are always in other people's business and other men's matters.... "

  Busybody: a person who pries into or meddles in the affairs of others.

Mr Scott is referring to the protestors as busybodies. The husband whose wife left him because he wanted to take his family out of Calvary Temple. The mother who is heartbroken because 4 of her children have not spoken to her in nearly four years. The parents who have not heard from their daughter for more than 7 years. The grandparents who have never met their grandchildren. The young people whose parents no longer will speak to them. These are busybodies to Mr Scott. Those members of our community that have sent their children to the basketball or cheerleading camps and are now concerned for their safety. The many neighbors of Calvary Temple that have long been hearing of a cult in their backyard. Are these the people he is calling busybodies?

Mr Scott calls the reporters busybodies - those who have come to write a story about Calvary Temple. Are they busybodies because they have become aware of the accusations that have been ignored and even covered up for many years?

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office  - are they busybodies because they are investigating allegations of sexual and physical abuse at Calvary Temple?  

Star Scott has called grieving parents, anguished sons and daughters, physically and sexually abused children, a worried community, investigative reporters, and law enforcement members busybodies. His choice of this word is meant to trivialize and ridicule the very people that have been the most affected by the alleged actions taking place in Calvary Temple.  And it is meant to dismiss the legitimate concerns of the community and law enforcement.  

2. A Great Work:  Mr Scott goes on to say...  "we have a great work to do and we can't be bothered with all these folks.  We don't need to be distracted by this....[it's] business as usual."  

In order to take the focus off himself and the allegations, Scott once again stresses the importance of Calvary Temple and the "great work" they are doing. Business as usual means vacations to the Bahamas, new cars, sports camps, car shows, and endless church meetings. It also means dividing families, destroying marriages, and covering up abuse of all kinds. He chooses his words carefully - "we can't be bothered with these folks"  - an unconcerned flick of the hand as he dismisses "all these folks" as nothing more than a bothersome mosquito buzzing around his head.  

3. The hand of God:  "I was telling the deacons, reminding them to hold me up in prayer, a time not very enjoyable that we are involved in right now - the Lord spoke to me and said "this is My doing, the hand of God is on us at this moment. He uses his enemies to make us better". "God is cleaning us up - trial in different degrees...  ...  "what we are facing as a fellowship right now, we are getting the tar beaten out of us.  Count it all joy".

Actually, it is not the fellowship that is getting the tar beaten out of them, but he likes to include everyone as a victim. Scott wants to share the accusations among the people to take the focus off of himself. This is not the first time he has used this tactic. Any time an accusation comes against himself or others in leadership, he states that the Lord has spoken to him,  and rouses them to anger for what is coming against them.  (And then he asks for prayer for himself.) 

4. The evil newspaper:  It's always an easy potshot to take - blaming the untrustworthy news media for twisting the facts. He knows he will get a receptive audience when he speaks against the liberal "God hating" news media. Scott casts doubt on the veracity of the facts with one quick reference to "the news people, some of the ways they edit these things, that's who I have trouble with".
  
5.  You (the congregation)  don't know the whole story, but we (the leadership)  do:  How many times have we heard some version of this?  "...Others [are] not aware of what the real picture is. Leadership is more aware of the real issues behind it."

In other words, don't worry yourselves over this. There is much more to the story that you just are not aware of - but we know all about it. We have it covered. You don't even need to wonder what this might be about. 

6. We are being persecuted: Of course, being persecuted, and especially for righteousness sake, is one of the easiest cards to play. (Rob Hendrickson gave a message on the persecuted church, using "these events" as an example.) This is readily accepted by the congregation, because most of them are not guilty of the worst of the sins they are being accused of.  They are guilty of shunning people, feeling superior to the rest of Christendom, idolizing their pastor, divorcing their spouses, and putting out their kids, but they are not necessarily guilty of sexual or physical abuse. (at least most of them). So because the people feel mostly ok about themselves,  it's easy to believe Star Scott that this is persecution.

The revealing of sin is NOT persecution.  

7.  We are all liars and fools: Scott tells the congregation,  "Let God be true and every man a liar. People trying to destroy us. They know nothing about us. Those that hear one side of the story without hearing another. They are fools."  

Actually, we know a lot about Star Scott and Calvary Temple. Many of "those folks across the street" attended Calvary Temple for much of their lives. People have come forward from 25 years ago with their own stories of abuse. Many of us know everyone that attends Calvary Temple and have predicted every response of its leadership. In reality, this is his big problem - we DO know the members of Calvary Temple. Very well. The fools are those that have heard only one side - Star Scott's version of events. And this brings us to -----

8. We are being accused of creating our own false reality: Thanks to a recent post on Tactics of Calvary Temple we have learned that we are all victims of our unbalanced mental state. "You know you talk something up among yourselves enough that it becomes the truth...it's not always in touch with reality....you know you can't trust your own mind [or] memory....[remembering] the wrong people.....Promoting your truth...and finally creating your own reality."

Star Scott began by expressing his compassion for all of us "across the street" while calling us unbalanced and confused at the same time.  He said he is weeping for our pain and battles, but we have been so twisted that we actually believe our own deceptions. Indeed, our memories can't be trusted - we are feeding each other with our made up dream-like stories. Scott says we are "deceiving and being deceived." 

What can Mr. Scott do when sin is revealed?  There are several (wrong) choices that immediately come to mind: pretend it never happened, say "it's forgiven -  it didn't happen", or accuse the victims of mental instability - unable to accurately remember the abuses that came upon them. 

9. We are accused of hatred and bitterness: Anyone that disagrees with Star Scott or opposes the methods and actions of Calvary Temple is the recipient of the hatred and bitterness label. A little research and you will find that abusive churches practicing shunning and denigrating of its past members will commonly refer to them as bitter.  With a few words, Scott creates a repulsive picture in the congregation's mind of all these angry, hateful and bitter people running around trying to destroy Star Scott and the institution of the church.  


And finally in Star Scott's own words:  "The word of the week is allegations. Facts are stubborn things, they just won't go away... So for most of us here, let's just rest and see what the facts are and when they are dealt with, we will see that God will be glorified and we will go on from there."  

Yes, Mr Scott. Facts are stubborn things, they just won't go away.  

Hidden in Plain Sight

One of the dangers of the closed leadership of Calvary Temple is the ability to further close ranks if necessary.  If the pastor decides an incident must be dealt with in-house, the cover-up begins.  In fact, there have been multiple incidents of physical and even sexual abuse that have been hidden by the leadership. The machinery is set in place to quickly sweep things under the rug and move forward as though nothing happened.  You will hear whispers about the incident but it is entirely possible for the average church member to be unaware of true events.  If you are listening between the lines, you may hear something from the pulpit that alludes to the recent occurrence.  But Calvary teaches and trains its members to remain oblivious to or silent about sin if it is thought that leadership is handling it.

The leadership's ability to control information is so firmly in place that abuse can happen right under your nose and all you hear are what the pastors want you to hear.  "We are dealing with it".  "[Name] is on visitor status.  Don't go and talk with him/her, we are handling it." " [Name] is under discipline."  Everyone knows to have nothing to do with that person and especially not to ask any questions.  Only problem is, that person beat a kid until he/she was black and blue and emotionally damaged, but we are told to let leadership handle it. Or that person sexually assaulted children for years and we are told all is forgiven. There are no real consequences for the perpetrator.

Some actions are illegal and should not be handled in-house.  They should be reported to the police. And no one should prevent that from happening.  Titus 3:1 admonishes us to be subject to government authorities. Romans 13:3 tell us rulers hold no terror for those who do right but for those who do wrong. We all understand that we do not obey the authorities if we are asked to go against the word of God.  But breaking of God's law and the law of the land are to be turned over to the authorities.  It is not the pastor's prerogative to allow abusers to escape legal consequences.

Many years ago there was an incident that took place by a deacon against a young girl. Back when it happened, I remember hearing rumors of sexual abuse.  I knew the young girl had reported a crime against her and I knew leadership was in extreme cover-up mode.  Soon we began to hear comments being made - a whisper campaign -  about the veracity of this very young girl. The deacon was being portrayed as a victim and the young girl was portrayed as a "story teller".  But extensive studies show that children almost never make up stories of abuse and, if anything, tend to underreport what actually happened to them. Family pressure is effective in getting children to recant their story even when there is actual visual and physical evidence of abuse.

In one situation in Calvary Temple, arrangements were made, by the encouragement of leadership, to rearrange work schedules to prevent the perpetrator from being around young girls.  He was seen as a threat to the safety of a young woman and yet his reputation is untarnished.  He was accused on more than one occasion of abuse.  And yet he walks free without ever having to face his accusers in a court of law.  The victims continue to carry the burden of severe spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical abuse.

I was recently made aware of a Calvary Temple woman saying to someone outside of CT  "I never saw anything".  May I ask her "what did you expect to see?".  Did you think abuse would take place in your sight?  No, these things are kept under cover.  But let me ask you this:  Have you seen children put out of their homes with no place to go?  Have you seen marriages ending in divorce for no biblical reason?  Have you seen families divided because one member left Calvary Temple?  Have you ever seen (or heard of) a child being beaten until they are unable to attend school?  Have you heard of a child being called a liar for accusing someone of sexual abuse? What more evidence do you need that the fruit of Calvary Temple is rotten?

Your blindness and denial do not mean it didn't happen.  I ask Calvary Temple members once again:  Why would we lie?  (all liars will find themselves in the lake of fire).  Star Scott is not worth going to hell for.  Star Scott and Calvary Temple are not worth our reputations being destroyed for.  Our children, grandchildren, spouses, parents or friends are not worth going to hell for.  I have loved ones inside Calvary Temple but I will not lie for them.  I will only tell the truth for them.

2 Timothy 3:13  While evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Corinthians 11:13  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ

Matthew 18:6  Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

We are Speaking Out

Events of the past week have moved forward rapidly.  The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office seems to be taking the investigation of alleged sexual and physical abuse in Calvary Temple very seriously.  Numerous news reports have been published, and the nationally known blog The Wartburg Watch has picked up the story.  Calvary Temple is becoming a national headline. Local news stations are broadcasting every few days and news broke today that Frontline is doing a story even as I am writing this.

During the years Calvary Temple has been in existence, many of us have felt unable to tell our story. Reasons for being silent or unheard are varied.  Some felt fearful of retaliation by the Calvary Temple leadership. Speaking out could be frightening, we knew there were consequences. We knew that if we did leave CT our only hope of speaking to family members or friends still inside was to avoid at all costs the heinous sin of "reaching in".  None of us quite knew what that meant but we kept quiet in hope that somehow we would be one of the lucky ones. (we never were).

Our families were so relieved that we were finally out of CT, they really didn't want to rehash our stories day in and day out. We felt somewhat ashamed and embarrassed that we had fallen for the cult of Calvary and we were happy to put the whole sordid mess behind us.  Years of hurting our families by having very little relationship with them is good enough reason to "just move on".  In addition, we often felt we had no avenue to voice our concerns.  Blogs were not as commonplace, and many older folks were not accustomed to social media. Some of us just didn't care anymore.  After years in a spiritually abusive church there was little or no desire for some to pursue a spiritual life, feeling too wounded to try.  Most of us had been labeled "bitter" - a convenient title for any "sin" ranging from telling the truth to warning our families to being angry for having our families destroyed. Character assassination can be a strong motivator to keep quiet.

Others tried to speak out as much as possible - and there were occasional glimpses of a crack in the Calvary Temple fortress.  (The Washington Post Article and the blogs Against Calvary Temple, Dear Calvary Temple, and Tactics of Calvary Temple were the most effective).  Many tried to speak out when they could, but all were aware there was a price to pay for going against Calvary Temple.

But now we have more than just a voice, we have many voices.  The community of Sterling, VA has rallied around the victims of Calvary Temple and the nation is taking notice.  The few that had carried the torch of speaking against Calvary Temple now have the support they desperately needed and deserved.  People are listening and responding. Is the end near for Calvary Temple and its leadership?

For more information, including links to many protest events,  resources and media attention,  please see the Expose Calvary Temple website.

As a reminder - if you have anything to report to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, please note the following numbers:

           For abuse of a non-sexual crimes please call:  703 777 1021
           For abuse of a sexual crime please call: 703 777 0475

Please remember, even if you are not sure if your story qualifies as a "crime" - calling and telling your story contributes to the complete picture that investigators need to have.

And finally, thank you to the many people that have contributed to our cause. We are exceedingly grateful for all the support in ways too numerous to recount.  I believe we will soon see the fruit of all our labor.

Please Leave

For those inside and outside of Calvary Temple, the last couple of days have been tumultuous. I can imagine the emotions that those in CT are all experiencing. But I hope you have questions. I remember years ago during the big split of the 1980s, I kept saying  "is there anything to this? are the rumors true?" There were stories of pastoral sexual abuse, mismanagement of funds, and cover-ups of sinful actions. Even though well-respected friends and leaders left, I stayed. Had my family and I left, we would have been saved much heartache and would still be together.

My purpose in writing this letter is to encourage you to pay attention to what you are hearing. Not only did the abuse happen to children in the church (either by their family or other church members), it was covered up by the leadership of Calvary Temple.  People in positions of authority should have protected the children, instead they betrayed them. Children told their stories and were not heard.

In addition to the abusive situations, the sin of families being divided is heartbreaking. This ought not to be. Those of  you with children, God has given them to you to raise.  Do not allow others to make decisions for you concerning your children.  Leave now before they are deemed unsaved, rebellious, or reprobate.  You will lose them and give up your God-given right to sow into their lives. If you have older children or teenagers, please leave before they are married - it will be that much more impossible to leave when you know you will lose your children and grandchildren. Please, I would urge you to leave now while you can. Calvary Temple is being judged; by the community, the authorities, and most importantly, by God. Husbands and fathers, please protect your family and insist that you all leave right now. Reunite with family members and other Christians.

We are not your enemy. This battle is not about hatred for a man or a group of people. We only want to see you free. If you leave and never talk to any of us, that's fine. But if  you need someone, you know who you can call.

Loudoun Times Mirror Article

The article posted today in the Loudoun Times Mirror is heart wrenching.  As the days pass, I fear we will learn of others that have been harmed by the appalling and heinous acts of Calvary Temple.  People are speaking out and standing against the false representation of the Church of Jesus Christ.  Calvary Temple is not what Christians do or say - this is a group of people that have put a man on the throne rather than Jesus.  The members have spent years covering their own sin, their pastor's sin and even more than covering it, they paint it to look like they are special, elite and doing good.  They are not.  They are bringing a reproach to the church and lifelong hurt to many.

Please read the article in addition to a comment on Against Calvary Temple.

Hatred or Love?

It has been long said by Calvary Temple leadership that all who have left Calvary Temple have been lying about Star Scott. Mr Scott has said many times from the pulpit that he is being falsely accused and lied about. My question is: Why would we go around telling lies about Star Scott and in the process give up relationship with all who are dear to us? What's in it for us? Would it be worth it to tell outright lies about someone and have it result in losing our children, parents, brother, sister, friend? Why would we do that??? Mr Scott says it is because we hate him, that we want him to lose his ministry, and that we want to destroy him. I do not know of any one of us that have left Calvary Temple willing to lose their loved ones out of hatred for Mr Scott.

I remember Mr Scott repeatedly telling us, the congregation, that if we did not agree with the doctrine being taught or the direction of the ministry, we should leave. Very simply, your "ability to vote" is done with your feet. So throughout the years, some left. IMMEDIATELY they were cut off from friends and family. Many of us endured weeks, months and years of being shunned. Some began to speak out. Suddenly the "reason" they are being shunned is because they are "reaching in" or causing division. Except that the shunning started long before any words were spoken.

Some who decided to leave wanted to do so quietly with no long meetings about the reasons they were leaving. Leadership, however, INSISTS that you attend meeting after meeting as to why you want to leave. (Mr Scott then sadly and tiredly informs the congregation of the "many hours" spent in counsel). They now have all the ammunition they need to shoot you from the pulpit. You are "too big for your britches". You are prideful and a "know it all", thinking you know more than the combined knowledge of the leadership. You are lost, cursed, or evil. You become swiftly aware that it is much better to keep your mouth shut and leave without a word. Which brings us back to the scenario of the previous paragraph, you will be completely cut off until you give them a reason to "mark" you. There is no good way to leave Calvary Temple.  One way or another, you will lose your loved ones.

Once you have left, any word spoken that questions Calvary Temple and its doctrine will result in you being labeled "bitter" or "divisive". Imagine each morning when you walk out your front door, the neighbor punches you in the face. At first, you want to turn the other cheek, show them love and forgiveness. So for a while you endure the punch in the face.  Finally one day, you have had enough and you turn and punch your neighbor in response to his daily greeting. Your neighbor jumps up, points his finger at you in derision, and shouts "you are bitter!  you are unforgiving!". Darned if you do and darned if you don't.

I know that there are many people in Calvary Temple that grieve over the loss of relationships with their loved ones.  I was part of a situation in which beloved family members had not been spoken to for year after year after year.  There were many tears and much heartache over the losses.  But it didn't have to be.  Why do we think that in order to be in unity, we must agree with every single word that comes from the mouth of the pastor? Some in the Catholic church may believe that the pope is infallible but no other true Christian church believes their pastor is infallible. I know Mr. Scott has made jokes about "full disclosure, I am not the pope, I am not infallible." Everyone laughs  - except IN PRACTICE, that is exactly how Mr Scott is being treated and expects to be treated.

When I was in Calvary Temple, only a few ex-Ct'ers tried to speak to me and tell me the truth. They knew of the sins done by the pastor many years before in California, the sins repeated here in Virginia, and the years of lies told to cover the sins. They tried to tell me the truth and  I REFUSED to hear it.  I said "Pastor Scott has told us none of this is true and I believe him". One other told me of the financial transgressions. I refused to believe him. But these were the only two who contacted me and told me these truths. I wish more had spoken out. Perhaps in the abundance of knowledge, I would have heard the truth. Perhaps it would have saved me and my family years of heartache and perhaps we would now all be together. And yet, many that know the truth remain silent out of fear, selfishness, or a misunderstanding of the scriptures.

Mr Scott recently said "even if what they say is true.....".  That one statement should cause all in Calvary Temple grave concern. For years he insisted none of it was true. And now he says "even if". He has admitted several times in recent months that what has been said is indeed true. So why did he lie and cover these things? And condemn those who left CT because they did not believe he is eligible to be a pastor?  (or at the very least, not someone they want over them and their family). He lied because he knew if it had been known (especially the years when CT was connected to the Assemblies of God) he would be removed from his position as pastor.  (Does this make you wonder about the real reason CT broke off from the A of G?).

As mentioned in previous posts, it has been a very difficult thing to speak out against the wrongs perpetrated by CT leadership. I have spent many hours searching scriptures and my own heart.  I have a grave concern that I stand before the Lord and be found guilty of hatred or bearing false witness. But I always come back to the strong belief that we must stand up for the innocent and proclaim the truth of God's word. At the risk of losing family and friends, many have chosen to speak the truth; praying and believing for blind eyes to be opened.

I will be the first to admit that my primary concern is for my loved ones. But everyone I talk with also has great concern for Mr Scott. We do not hate him. God loves him just as He loves our families and friends. We have all experienced the pain of someone bringing the truth to us about our sin. It doesn't always feel like love. Mr Scott calls it hatred. But God tells us otherwise.


Hebrews 12:11    Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous but grievous:  nevertheless it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

2 Timothy 2:25    In meekness instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

2 Thess 3:15   Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

1 Timothy 5:20   As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

James 4:17    So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Proverbs 10:17    Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

Jer 23:11    An appalling and horrible thing has happened....the prophets prophesy falsely, and rule on their own authority, and my people love it so!

You Can't Have it Both Ways: Update

In the early part of September I wrote a column called "You Can't Have it Both Ways." It spoke of a recent change in Calvary Temple's doctrine concerning proselytizing members of other local churches. Mr Scott mentioned that members of McLean Bible Church could benefit from members of Calvary Temple "rolling in and preaching the word" to them as it is not readily evident that they are Christians. I suggested that members of CT might want to listen to some of the teachings posted on the McLean Bible Church website or possibly attend a few services to learn for themselves if MBC is in need of their admirable example .

Lon Solomon has had a reputation as a solid bible teacher with a history of ministry to the local community as well as to the members of MBC. In addition, the church has a strong outreach program along with a powerful missions program. A quick read of Pastor Solomon's bio will leave you impressed. I'm guessing that years of church growth, an outstanding reputation in the community, and countless testimonies of changed lives speak for the move of God in his own life and that of the church. Since leaving Calvary Temple, I have had opportunity to fellowship with members of McLean Bible Church and find them to be fine examples of followers of Jesus Christ - many "on fire for the Lord". Evidently however, I and thousands of believers that call MBC their home have been incorrect. Apparently Star Scott has had opportunity to speak with ONE young man that is a "professed believer but really struggling". His conversations with this young man seemingly indicated there was much lacking in the ministry of Lon Solomon. In subsequent conversations with this young man, he related a story of Pastor Solomon preaching in a way that appeared he is now "on fire for the Lord" and had a rebuke for some people leaving the service early: "sit down, I'm not through talking yet!" Scott'ss response: "Now if you know his pastor you know that's different. God's doing something in that ministry!""Hallelujah! Pray for him!" So according to Star Scott and this young man (who was struggling with his walk and nearly backslidden )- Lon Solomon has changed!!!! I'm sure the members of MBC will be happy to hear that their pastor is "different" and that Star Scott has given Pastor Solomon his stamp of approval.

A few questions:

1. Is Star Scott so familiar with Lon Soloman's spiritual state that he is able to state unequivocally that he KNOWS he needed to change, there has now been a change, and he is now on fire for the Lord?
2. Is it likely that a young man who is struggling with his spiritual walk and possibly backslidden a good gauge for whether the pastor is "on fire" or not? Is it possible that all that time he was nearly backslidden he was not hearing the good word being preached? In his nearly backslidden state, how would he have known?
3. So now the really important question: Is it possible that Scott felt a little "busted" that he was once again found falsely criticizing a servant of the Lord and realized his error? (If you are going to criticize another pastor, you better have done your homework and have some actual proof. Like actual quotes and a history of bad fruit). Now he has to do some damage control. What better way than to pronounce Lon Solomon a changed man and Scott the one that can pronounce it from his own superior position.
4. Are you thinking of leaving Calvary Temple? You can now consider McLean Bible a good place to go - Star Scott says so.  

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility (Prov. 18:12)

They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2 Cor. 10:12)