By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention Specialist
Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.
- Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
- No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
- No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
- Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
- There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
- Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
- There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
- Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
- The group/leader is always right.
- 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.
As a community member (never stepped foot in this church), I've run into many people who are wondering what is going on with this? If you can't say for the investigation to continue, that is ok but if you all are letting it fizzle away......DON'T! The community at large knows what this church is. New people move in, the neighbors all warn them that "CT is a cult" and to never go there. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI ran into someone who was also wondering what's up with the charges against this church. This person said, "I wonder if a church like that draws others who are like them or if it makes regular people into the cult followers?" I responded that it's both. I keep wondering about kids getting abused -why hasn't the county or CPS restricted the kids from this place???
It wouldn't surprise me if the creeps would show up and harass ex-members. I'd get cameras outside my home!!
Maybe because there is no abuse going on is why there have been no charges.
DeleteTo Anonymous, June 15. Given the pubicity surrounding the child sexual abuse, if there is currently any of that going on, well that would just be a whole new level of brazenness and stupidity. The allegations span many years, and hopefully we all want a very thorough and complete investigation - which by the way, still is active with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. They have stated that this will take time, and as responsible human beings, we need to take every allegation of child and sexual abuse seriously, so I would not be so quick to dismiss it.
DeleteAnyone who has attended this Religious Organization for more than a few months can tell you that psychological, emotional, and spiritual abuse are foundations of their culture. These unfortunately are not illegal and yet they damage many, many good people. Openly the leaders of this place boast that they "brainwash" - but I'm pretty sure you already know that.
Anonymous June 15: "Maybe because there is no abuse going on is why there have been no charges." I hope you are not taking any chances with your kids - just in case. Children are abused every single day because a parent is stupid enough to trust those around them. It is almost always a trusted friend, family member, or in this case, a church member/worker. If you think you are safe in Calvary Temple because you have known these people for many years and your pastor talks as if you are the cream of the crop in the church world, you are a fool. Rumors of sexual abuse , including child abuse by your pastor, should be enough for you to get you and your family out of Calvary Temple.
DeleteIf it wasn't such a serious matter, I might laugh at the stupidity of people in Calvary Temple. How many of you would choose a bank that has been accused of and investigated for fraudulant handling of its depositors money? How many of you would go to a restaurant that is investigated for roach infestation? Would you frequent a nail salon where people have complained of getting an infection after a pedicure? Would you send your money to a television preacher that uses it to buy Rolls Royces and vacation homes? (oh, wait, maybe you would.) Would you marry someone that was convicted of sexual crimes? (well, never mind, you would). Yet you attend a church where people have spoken out for DECADES of family destruction, emotional and psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. A church that has been investigated by the IRS. A church in which the pastor was forced to remove testimonies of "miracles" because there was "some disagreement about what actually happened". A church where pastors, deacons, captains, and others have left over the years. People, WAKE UP!!!
To anonymous.
DeleteSee the funny thing is that I guess people in ct don't realize is that we have all been there for 25 or longer and have seen how things are done and know exactly how he will twist things. How he will do his damage control to get control back and how he lies non stop up there. I know while I was there , we moved towards the back as I was always expecting any day for God to strike that man down for lying to the Holy Ghost. We serve a very patient God , who his mercy never ends. As he has said how evil we all are and that we are out for them, that is a lie. This is God saying for such a time as this. Whatsoever a man Sows, that shall he reap. You teach the Old Testament but we are in the New Testament because Jesus is our saviour. Those of you in ct , turn your hearts back to the Lord and repent for your idolatrous ways. God will forgive you.
Thank you for your comment. I can say that the investigation is ongoing and that LCSO has indicated it will be a lengthy procedure. We do not expect this to go away any time soon. Many of us have had a lot of pain at the hands of Calvary Temple leadership and members and want to see loved ones set free from this controlling and destructive place. We will not give up. Contrary to what Star Scott says, we are not against God or churches, we are against those that manipulate the scriptures for their own gain, control, and purposes. And yes, I recently read of the allure churches have for abusers - many people in churches think because someone has professed a belief in God, they are now "good guys". Often they are the worst. And finally, hmmm, cameras are not a bad idea. Calvary has them positioned all over their building, so that shows their thinking!
ReplyDeleteI was a member for a few years. I knew what I was getting into when I joined, and knew what would happen when I left. No one's blind, that's just the way that church works and you can't not understand that when you willfully join. It's just sad when people accuse the members when they are honestly there to serve the Lord. Even if I didn't always agree with Pastor Scott's way of running things, it didn't mean I didn't become closer to God during my time there, and even with his guidance.
ReplyDeleteAt the same rung, I do hope that if there is a guilty party in the investigation that they are properly brought to justice, but I don't think the entire congregation should be persecuted for choosing to serve the Lord in a strict manner.
Dear Anonymous, I understand your perspective. And in one way I agree with you - yes, if you know what you are getting in to, you have every right to willfully join. I am just not sure why you would join a church where you "knew what would happen when [you] left." You mean you knew you would be shunned and your family possibly destroyed? And that seems like a place you can go to and get closer to God? I don't think it is true that the members are innocent in their participation. If you are aware of "what will happen" when you leave, then how can you give your time, support, energy, approval and money to a pastor who advocates the destruction of families? Aren't the people attending responsible for what happens as much as the people doing the evil deeds? After all, they are the machinery that keeps this "church" in business. If they left, the destruction would stop. So I have to disagree vehemently that the congregation is just honestly serving the Lord. They are just as much a part of the problem as Star Scott is. So I hold them just as responsible for "what will happen" when you join Calvary Temple.
DeleteDear Anonymous from June 14 post...I'm sorry, but your post is confusing to me...are you defending Calvary Temple and its actions? Are you aware of the accusations against Bob Scott and others? Do you actually know the horror stories from the past 40 years? I don't mean to put you on the spot, especially since you had the courage to post in this blog, but as a former member whose family was destroyed by this place...I joined Calvary Temple believing that this was a church, a safe place for my family...only to find out that the Word of God was manipulated and used to justify sin, greed, power, lasciviousness, destruction, and more...again, I don't know you or your story...I am merely trying to understand your comment.
ReplyDeleteTo "anonymous June 14" - As a member of Calvary Temple for decades, I would agree that there are current members who love God and want to serve the Lord. However, in all my years there, I am not aware of anyone who upon joining, knew the atrocities committed by the leaders of this very abusive and manipulative organization. They were not aware of the destruction of families, the putting away of spouses, the turning out of the home children as young as 12 years old with nothing but the clothes on their back (during winter). Nor about the lies told about those who left, the maligning of good, God-fearing people's character and reputation. Even as a member in good standing, I did not know the truth or details of many of the atrocities done in the name of God. So the only thing I can really say to your position of "knowing what would happen when you left" - is that if you truly believe you are a Christian, there is something really wrong with you and that you not only need spiritual, but professional help as well. Something's wrong with you.
ReplyDeleteTo the person that was there for awhile
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree , I was there for 25 years and had no idea. If I did . As a true born again Christian , I would never have walked into that place. The fact that you said you knew , does show that you need to evaluate if you truly are a Christian or just religious? He who knows to do right, and doesn't do it; it is SIN. I've met people, that went there and God told them to run. Check and see who you are really serving.