Friday, December 29, 2017

You Can't Have it Both Ways, Part 2



When I first attended Calvary Temple, my family and I came from another church. Not one time did anyone in CT leadership or among the congregation question my reasons for leaving another church to come to Calvary Temple. No one accused me of being "out of order" or "rebelling against designated authority."

NOT ONE Calvary Temple member "marked" me for leaving my previous church, an action they take routinely when someone leaves CT. And not one person from my old church accused me of rebellion, nor did they shun me. In fact, I am still friends with members of my previous church.

But when I left Calvary Temple and began attending another church, I was rebuked for being out of order, rebelling against designated authority and was consequently "marked". (everyone who leaves Calvary Temple is marked, whether officially or unofficially. In practice, it's all the same.)

And now, let me ask the current members of Calvary Temple:

If you came from another church to attend CT, were YOU rebuked? were you told you were out of order? and a rebel to your previous "designated authority"? Were you told to go back to your pastor and ask permission to leave? Did your previous pastor label you a rebel?

Do you see a hypocritical disconnect here? Why is it fine to leave a church to attend Calvary Temple but not ok to leave Calvary Temple? Why does Star Scott say God placed you in Calvary, but he doesn't say God placed you in your previous church?
  • Tony and Lou, you left a bible believing church (was it Halpine?)  to attend CT, were you rebuked?
  • Tony and Jenny, why didn't you get sent back to your old church?
  • Carolyn, didn't you first attend a church in Round Hill?
  • Jon, why wasn't your dad sent back to the Presbyterian church in Md that he and his family attended? 
  • Kevin and Theresa, didn't you leave family members behind to attend CT?  Did Pastor Scott tell you to go back?
  • Tony and Linda, what church did you leave?
  • Candace, I think you attended a Calvary Chapel church in New York. Did a pastor accuse you of being a betrayer?
  • Gary and Becky, I seem to remember you were part of a church in Staunton. Did they label you a deserter? 
  • 2Connie, weren't you and Jeff in a church in Maryland?
  • Raymond and Rhonda, why did you leave your church? Why didn't Pastor Scott send you back?
  • Jon, Sarah, Joshua and Christina - why didn't Pastor Scott tell you and your parents to go back to NY?
  • Bea and family, were you rebuked for leaving your old church in Purcellville?
  • Steve, didn't you and your parents and siblings leave a baptist church in Sterling?   
This is just a sampling of the current members of Calvary that came from other churches. All of them would tell you they had a good reason for leaving their old church to come to Calvary Temple. 
  • Perhaps they took a job in this area
  • Maybe they moved here to be closer to family. 
  • Or heard Star Scott on the radio and thought it would be a good church to attend. 
  • Maybe they had gifts that they felt Calvary Temple was in need of.
  • Perhaps they felt called to minister in a new church.
  • Maybe it was for doctrinal reasons. 
  • Or they felt they were not being fed at their current church.
  • Maybe they came to CT because there were rumors of abuse in their old church and they didn't feel comfortable sitting under a pastor with  "history". 
  • Maybe their old church was under investigation by the state police, local police, FBI and IRS. 
Whatever the reason, it was enough to cause them to make a decision that no one questioned. Most likely not their old pastor and certainly not Star Scott. And yet leaving Calvary Temple is considered the worst kind of sin. Leaving CT earns you the label of rebel, daughter of satan, demon woman, unsaved, deserter, trouble maker, enemy, betrayer, defamer, backbiter, defiler, bitter, etc. 

The person leaving Calvary Temple is doing exactly what many current CT members did when they left their previous church. They chose to leave one church and attend another. 

Having attended CT for a number of years, I am going to anticipate Star Scott's response. One response might be something like this:

                We have always said if you attend Calvary Temple, you have the
                best chance of making it to heaven, and we are more concerned
                with your eternal state. Amen?

(and like Pavlov's dogs, the congregation will respond 'Amen!' and not give it another thought.)

Another response might be along the lines of disparaging those who have spoken out against Calvary Temple. After all, Scott is a champion of character assassination. So he might do some version of this:

                 Consider the source.

Note that neither of these will address the actual subject of this post.

So, the conclusion we must come to, according to Star Scott's "new doctrine",  is the majority of Calvary Temple members are in rebellion to their previous pastor, out of order, betrayers, dividers, enemies and deserters. If Star Scott is going to insist we are out of order for leaving CT, then he needs to rebuke and send many of his current members back to their original church. Or, if they are not these things, then neither are all of us who left Calvary Temple.

May I remind you - you can't have it both ways.


Galatians 5:18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there.
Acts 5:29 We ought to obey God rather than men.



Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Enormity of it All

We were recently contacted by the writer of a blog that exposes abusive, authoritarian churches. The owner of this blog keeps an ongoing record of false teachers and asked for any additional information we wished to provide concerning Calvary Temple. As I began to compile a list of some of the problems associated with Calvary Temple, I was overwhelmed with the enormity of it all. It is one thing to hear of one or two problems in a church, but when one sees the list associated with Calvary Temple, it is shocking.
  • Star Scott teaches that he can hear from God on a level the average congregant cannot and is to be obeyed because he is the "man of God". To do otherwise is to be rebellious and out of order.
  • Counsel is to come from superiors in the ministry, i.e deacons and pastors. (not from friends or family members). 
  • Any infraction is to be immediately reported “up”. Matthew 18 principles only apply for minor infractions. 
  • When Star Scott's wife of 30+ years died, 2 1/2 weeks later he married a 20 yr old in the church. He stated that as High Priest, according to Old Testament instructions, he is not permitted to mourn and must marry a virgin that could be "molded". (thus conveniently eliminating any of the older women in the congregation).
  • Scott allows no oversight of the finances, has no set salary, buys whatever he wants and the church pays the bills. (since the IRS investigation, he says he now receives a salary. His lifestyle has only improved since then.) No questions asked. Though the congregants tithe and give offerings, they are not allowed a detailed account of where their money goes. 
  • Scott owns multiple race cars, motorcycles, expensive sports cars,  and classic cars. Has what he calls an "automotive outreach" in which he races and shows his Corvettes. 
  • Teaches mandatory 1st and 2nd tithe, and when necessary, a third tithe. If you drop off giving, you are excluded from church activities and benefits or asked to leave.
  • Teaches absolute shunning of anyone who "rebels" by leaving the church without his permission. (and he never gives permission, only puts out those who ask too many questions).
  • Advises spouses to divorce the spouse who has stopped attending the church.
  • Children must only marry within the church with leadership approval. No one may marry someone from outside of CT.
  • Scott and the other pastors as well as others close to leadership has covered up sexual abuse of several children and probably many more.
  • Allegedly sexually abused his two nieces when he was a youth pastor in CA. They were ages 9 and 11, went on 3 years. He fled CA (though it has been said by those who were in the church at the time that he was forced to leave) and came to Herndon VA to take over a small church. When the nieces came with parents to visit, he allegedly abused again. There is a police report on file with the Herndon, Virginia Police Department, though no charges were pressed.
  • Has claimed miracles that when questioned about the truthfulness, advised his staff to remove the “testimonies” from the website because there was “disagreement” about their veracity.
  • Calvary Temple/Star Scott have been investigated by the IRS, FBI, AFT, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department and the Virginia State Police.
  • ROUTINELY badmouths - slanders -  past members and other churches as well as other pastors in the area.
  • Multiple families have been divided, parents have not seen their children for upwards of 25 years and children are cut off from their parents. If a child no longer wants to attend CT, Star Scott advises parents to put "rebellious or backslidden" children out on the street with only the clothes they are wearing. One 14 year old girl showed up at an ex-Calvary member home because she had nowhere to go.
  • Insists that if a child was raised in Calvary Temple, "they have no choice" but to be a Calvary Temple believer. As soon as a child questions anything, the child is called into multiple meetings and "counseled." 
  • Everyone at CT knows to keep their questions to themselves, even in their own households. One woman we know was terrified to question any of the problems she was seeing for fear her husband would put her out. 
  • There is a culture of fear within CT, members know what the stakes are if they disagree. They will lose their family and reputation.
  • Star Scott takes multiple vacations a year, all first class, while some members of the church cannot buy a new car.
  • Scott owns multiple properties of which most of the congregation is unaware.  
  • Star Scott ridicules people spending $5.00 on a Starbucks coffee while his wife shops on Rodeo Drive and sports a $25,000+ engagement ring. 
  • Teaches that fathers are to carry out the vision of the PASTOR, rather than raise up children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Fathers are not to have a vision for their own families.
  • God-given families are secondary to the "church family".
  • Forced a wife and mother to live 91 days in a hotel so she could be "broken". Not allowed to see her children. 
  • Finances and family problems are openly discussed in deacon's meetings without member's knowledge or consent.
  • Abuses (sexual, physical and emotional) are covered up by the leadership. Members are taught to leave it to leadership to handle. Though there are known cases of sexual abuse; they were never reported to the police. 
  • The pastor tells congregants to read only what he recommends. (mostly his own books, see CT website). An associate pastor told the church to use their own personal study for the reinforcement of what the pastor is teaching, not what they believe God is telling them.
  • Children, during youth group meetings, have heard very intimate details of Star Scott's sex life from Scott himself.
  • Women, upon the loss of a child may not ask God "Why?". To do so would be rebellious and not honoring to God.
  • Slander; destroying reputations of anyone who disagrees with Star Scott.
  • Star Scott lied about his educational background.
  • Star Scott uses the pulpit to gossip about and bully the members. It is not necessary for him to name names, as everyone in the church knows exactly who he is talking about. Everyone's personal business is in danger of being broadcasted to the entire church. People learn to keep their mouths shut. (or to ask only questions that make themselves look good.)
  • Scott uses ridicule, mockery, disdain, criticism, contempt, exaggeration etc in his "teachings". Members are careful to stay under the radar to avoid such treatment.
  • Members are convinced they will spiritually suffer if they leave the church to attend another.
  • If you attend Calvary Temple, "you have been placed here by God" and are told that you have no right to leave.
Many Calvary Temple members might be aware of much of the above, but perhaps not every point. The newcomer to CT only sees the seemingly positive aspects of belonging to a group of Christians that appear to be committed to one another. But as time goes by, members begin to see the ugly underbelly of CT. New members, and even many long time members, are kept from "reading the fine print". By the time all becomes clear, they are trapped through marriage, family, and fear. Many lack financial resources should they decide to leave Calvary Temple. In addition, most have given up close relationships with friends and family members that do not attend CT. Leaving Calvary Temple can be extremely difficult.

Make no mistake, Calvary Temple is NOT a good place. It has the potential (and likelihood) to destroy your life, marriage, family and faith. Stay far away from Calvary Temple of Sterling, Virginia. 

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Lies From Calvary Temple

Fresno State or Fresno City College???

This post is primarily directed to current Calvary Temple members. Your pastor has repeatedly lied to you.

As a past member of Calvary Temple, I sat in many services when Star Scott proudly referred to his time at Fresno State. (Below are some quotations from the Calvary Temple website to support my statement). Fresno State is the common name, used on the university's website, for California State University, Fresno. Fresno State is the prestigious university that alumni are proud to call their alma mater. Few however, if any, would brag about their years at FRESNO CITY COLLEGE. Star Scott, though he said he attended Fresno State, did not. He attended a community college. 

Furthermore, did he really have a football scholarship - the "free ride" he often referred to? If he did have a scholarship, it was TO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Here is the bio presumably written by Mr Scott himself: (red emphasis mine)


Pastor Star R. Scott

Senior Pastor at Calvary Temple Church
United States
Religious Institutions

CurrentSenior Pastor at Calvary Temple Church
EducationBerean Bible College & Seminary, Fresno City College, Bethany Bible College
Summary
Pastor Star R. Scott is Senior Pastor of Calvary Temple in Sterling, Virginia, where he has ministered since 1973. Pastor Scott spent...


The following are quotations from Mr Scott
  • "Fresno State was paying for everything else........" Living in the Supernatural Pt 5 11/24/02
  • "And I was playing football at Fresno State-and I'm good-looking." Two Become One Pt 1 7/5/06
  • "I can still remember pulling up alongside the road there at Fresno State and walking across this one big practice field "  Preferring His Presence Pt 3 6/25/00
  • "and was attending Fresno State...."Faith that Prevails Pt 9 7/8/12
  • "My brother and I went to Fresno State to the football game.....and this guy is sitting there and I asked, 'So are you alumni here?' "Oh yeah; we're alumni." So I said, "Well, I am too."  Faith that Prevails Pt 11 7/11/12
  • "I looked into the newspaper and the University of Nevada was playing Fresno State. He went to Nevada and I went to Fresno."  The Cross Pt 2  2/6/05
  • "I was at California State University, Fresno." Sure Foundation Pt.4 8/13/09
Calvary Temple members, does this concern you? Your pastor deliberately deceived you into thinking he had attended Fresno State. He actually told outright lies, not just once, but many times.

What true man of God would lie to and deceive his "followers"?



Wednesday, August 30, 2017

He Said That? Part 4

The following statements were recently made by Star Scott during a teaching he calls The God of This World.  Mr Scott has a rebuke for all who dare to ask God the question "why?".

"Job loses everything he has. Can you imagine in one day all your kids were gone? Tragic death and they are all gone. Sadly, your wife is still there. There is no greater burden in life than an unregernerated [sic] wife. Could God have stopped Satan from killing Job's kids? Absolutely! Why,Why, Why, Why? You are not allowed to ask why. All your kids die, you are not allowed to ask why. .....here's what you are able to do. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Hallelujah, amen? If you are not there, you are worldly. If you are not there, you are being affected and your life is being directed by Satan's tragedies and attacks and God is not being glorified because it's all about you. 'Poor me. Look how I have been abused. I have my rights, this isn't fair....'".

When I heard this, I felt deep sadness and anger on behalf of mothers and fathers who have gone through the unspeakable grief of losing a child.  I imagine it is a testing of one's faith and trust in God like none other.

But Star Scott has a message for you: "You are not allowed to ask why". If you ask why, you are worldly. If you question God, you are being led by Satan. If you ask why, you are not glorifying God. If you ask why, you are a whiny crybaby saying "poor me". If you cry out to God with questions, you are accusing God of abuse.

Mr Scott focuses on Job's wife and the statement she makes to Job, "curse God and die". His conclusion is that Job's wife is the worst possible burden for Job to have to endure (I guess even worse than losing all his children, wealth, etc.) and because of her momentary outburst, she is lost for all eternity.

Yes, Job's wife speaks to her husband "Curse God and die!" But Job's response to his wife is not as condemning as Star Scott's is. "...[Job] said to her, "You speak like one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" Note that Job says ...."like one of the foolish women"...... He does not call her a foolish woman, only that she is speaking like one. He then goes on to comfort her with his own hard-won wisdom.... "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" And yet even after Job says this, he struggles with what the will of God has brought into his life.

(If you are interested enough to pursue this subject, it is enlightening to do a study on the word barak, translated in Job to mean curse. The Hebrew verb barak occurs just over 325 times in the Old Testament, and is often translated to mean bless, or to kneel down. Perhaps Job's wife was actually saying 'you have kept your integrity, now kneel down, bless God, and die. Indeed, some scholars believe this is the more accurate translation.)

And that is all we know of Job's wife. There is no mention of Job putting his wife out, or of God condemning her to hell, or of her death. There is also no mention of Job marrying another woman. At the close of the book of Job, we find that the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. We can assume (and many scholars do) that Job's wife bore him his children and shared in his blessings.

Star Scott states that  Job "... kept his integrity, didn’t he. He makes great statements like the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the lord." 

But Job also spoke the following:

"Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eye saw me." Job 10:18

"Like a slave who longs for the shadow, and like a hireling who looks for his wages, so I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me." Job 7:2.3

"I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God." Job 13:3


“What strength do I have, that I should hope?” (Job 6:11 NKJV)

Does it please you [God] to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands,
while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?” Job 10:3


“He [God] throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes. I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.” Job 30:19

I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. Job 10:1

“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice,
the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul…” Job 27:2

“…then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me. Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.”  Job 19:6,7

And others have spoken boldly to God, asking why? when? how long? Even accusing God of forsaking them.

From the Book of Psalms: 

“Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1)

“Why have you forgotten me?” (42:9b)

“Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” (44:24b)

LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? (94:3)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from saving me? (22:1)

From Jeremiah  Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace? (20:18)

From Habakkuk  O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear? Or cry to you Violence! and you will not save? (1:2)

And finally from Mark   Jesus said "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 15:34b

And yet according to Star Scott, the woman who loses her child/children may not ask God why. The worst tragedy a mother can endure and Mr Scott calls her worldly if she asks God why.

But God in His infinite love, grace and mercy speaks to us:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…Matthew 7:8

I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4  

Sadly, Mr Scott, in his attempt to silence women, has twisted the scripture to say far more than it does. Though he often says "ladies, I'm on your side...", he more often speaks against them. (May I remind you of the time he taught on women's role in the home - he asked Greer what she thought the women were hearing. Her response? That women are evil. Even his own wife understood Scott's opinion of women.) 

Because God is largely silent concerning Job's wife, why is Star Scott building a principle from the one emotional response of a grieving mother? Not only is there no scriptural basis for this new "principle", Mr Scott is doing exactly what scripture warns against:

Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:6


Why does Mr Scott teach his congregation that God is not big enough to handle their questions and doubts? Doesn't God already know our hearts? In a loving, honest relationship, we are free to come to God as our Father, knowing He will never turn us away. He is always willing to hear and comfort us in our times of grief and doubt. 




















Saturday, August 5, 2017

Hypocrites and Calvary Temple

A thought on Hypocrites-

I recently read an article that was quite insightful. On the topic of hypocrites (and psychopaths). Star Scott once laughingly shared from the pulpit that when the IRS was investigating him, they assessed him as a psychopathic narcissist. He almost sounded proud of the label. So when I came across this enlightening article on hypocrites and the people they target, naturally my mind went back to Pastor Scott and his statement about himself.

So I would like to share the link, for all of us out there that have been wounded by Pastor Star R. Scott of Calvary Temple Virginia, and the rest of his leadership. I especially like the section on the types of people they target. Not idiots, or bad people. But the truly good people. It's almost as though he is trying to rid the world around him of the exceptional Christians, in order to make himself appear the best God's got to offer. Creepy but worth the read. God bless.

https://www.psychopathfree.com/articles/7-signs-of-hypocrites-the-people-they-target.300/

Sunday, March 26, 2017

I Wish Someone Had Told Me

I have heard it said: "I wish someone had told me what was wrong in Calvary Temple. If only someone had tried to talk to me."

I must admit, when I hear this I feel a little puzzled. I understand there is a strong level of control and brainwashing inside Calvary Temple (I experienced it myself), but surely there have been enough red flags to force some personal responsibility. When the blog "Against Calvary Temple" began in 2012, there was no longer an excuse for not questioning Calvary Temple and its abusive tendencies. Prior to that time, I can understand  being taken in by CT's (fake) appearance of godliness. However, once the blogs, media attention, (see full list to the right) and the testimony of past members began to reveal the ugly underbelly of Calvary Temple, it became increasingly difficult to ignore the truth. How can more be needed? The signs are everywhere if you are willing to open your eyes and ears.
  • When you have heard rumors of sexual, physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional abuse, children being put out on the street, families being divided through divorce or shunning, affairs, addiction to pornography, financial fraud, IRS investigations, FBI investigations, lies, coverups, and emails detailing pedophelia committed by a pastor, it might be a reason to start thinking. 
  • When the above are not just rumors, but actual events taking place before your eyes, you should be extremely concerned.
  • When blogs start popping up confirming some of the rumors you have heard, it might be a warning to take these things more seriously. 
  • When a blog is started as the only way for a mother to speak to her own children, you should be alarmed. 
  • When the IRS enters your church and begins an investigation, you might begin to have some questions.
  • When you hear that the police are seriously investigating sexual abuse, you might take note (and start protecting your children). And when a LCSO detective loses his job over his connection to Calvary Temple, you should wonder why.
  • When the local news media is suddenly involved, you might be more than a little worried that some or all of these things are probably true.
  • When some past-CT members stand across the street for a full year trying to warn you and the community that Calvary Temple is a false, lying, dangerous church, you should wonder. (Wonder why people would stand in the heat, rain, snow, freezing temperatures? I am sure they all had better things to do on a Sunday morning - like go to a good church with none of the above.)
  • When past-CT members try to talk to you when they see you in the community, you might listen (instead of running) and even more importantly, you might ask questions. 
  • When the leadership speaks evil of EVERYONE who has left Calvary Temple, you might question the odds. Everyone??? Not ANY of them are leaving for godly reasons? 
  • When you hear teachings that seem heavy-handed concerning pastoral authority, obedience to the leadership, spiritual superiority of the leadership, superiority of Calvary Temple, destruction of families, condemnation of past members, extreme giving of time and finances, isolation from other churches, etc, you should run for the door.
  • And when you want to leave Calvary Temple but are afraid to do so, knowing you might lose all friends and family, you truly have seen the truth. 


You have been told.


UPDATE 4/3/2017

According to local social media and the Loudoun Times, on 3/31/2017 witnesses observed ATF raiding a Calvary Temple owned condo. The condo is located in a community that includes at least 5 other condos owned by either Calvary Temple or members of CT. Weapons, including assault weapons, along with computers and other items, were removed. The tenant was brought out under restraint. The following day, 4/1/2017, the tenant returned to his condo. On 4/1/17, witnesses also observed other tenants removing weapons from other CT owned condos.

  • Calvary Temple has been investigated by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department, the State Police, the IRS, the FBI, and now ATF.  My recommendation to members of CT is to get out while you can.

YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD.  AGAIN. 


http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/feds_raid_sterling_apartment_owned_by_calvary_temple654


Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

First John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Calvary Temple vs Scientology


At first glance there appears to be nothing in common between Scientology and Calvary Temple of Sterling, VA. On the surface, this would be true. Calvary Temple is a church claiming to be based on the Bible, while Scientology is a church based on the claims of a science fiction writer. However, in light of the recent A&E documentary "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath", similarities become more evident. The doctrine may be different but their deeds are much the same.

For those of us who were once part of Calvary Temple, this documentary hits very close to home. In fact, in many instances we could have just inserted the name Calvary Temple and it would have been called "Calvary Temple Survivors and the Aftermath."  I daresay some of us could feel shivers up and down our spines as we listened to ex-scientologists tell their stories of abuse at the hands of their leaders.

And that brings me to a question: I wonder if current members of Calvary Temple can read the following quotes and determine if they were spoken by CT members (current or past) or ex-scientologists.  (both "churches" are represented.)


"Being critical of the church would put family relationships at risk."

"I was towing the line because I didn't want to lose my family."

"It's like an automatic understanding that if you buck the system, this (losing family members or friends) is what will happen."

"She was a mother who stayed so her child wouldn't turn against her."

"I knew if I complained about the time I had to devote, I would be reported to leadership."

"There was a husband who would not even speak of his questions to his wife for fear of her turning against him. Even divorcing him."

"He had total control of the money, and when told to give more, we all gave more."

"The church offers no financial transparency whatsoever to its members or the public."

"Many former members have not spoken to family members since they left. Some for many years."

"There is simply no proper way to leave."

“anyone who speaks out against the church is seen as an enemy,”

"the church breaks up families and friendships."

"The leader of the church is always right and members are always wrong in any dispute."

"Those who question and leave are subversive ones."

"Leaving the church meant leaving family and friends behind."

"Many that should be in jail are not. Why? Financial settlements."

"I couldn’t leave or I would lose my husband and my children"

"anything serious that goes on is handled internally"

"Families were discouraged and prevented from seeing each other."

"Our time was not our own, we had to be at the church nearly every day."

"We were forced to "confess" our trespasses."

"speaking against the church, even when it is true, is wrong."

"an atmosphere of fear is created to prevent us from talking."


This is a small sampling of commonality between the two "churches". As stated before, both Calvary Temple and Church of Scientology are represented. It should cause concern with members of Calvary Temple that it is very difficult to tell the difference.

Please, do your own research about abusive, authoritarian churches. If you find yourself hesitant to examine if Calvary Temple is an abusive church, you will know you have a problem. No individual should be reluctant to seek out the truth.  Jesus said the truth will set you free.










Monday, January 16, 2017

A Guest Post

To members of Calvary Temple

You need to shake yourselves and wake up!

Do you realize the false teaching you are sitting under? I heard part of your Christmas Day teaching.

http://webaudio.calvarytempleva.org/stream/2016/20161225a-_dW65HBjK.vBv_te4mtq7Q.mp

Of course Star Scott was predictable as always. First things first, Bob must ridicule all other churches that didn't have a service on Christmas day. I guess CT hasn't figured out that it's not the day, we are to honor God every day. But you have hate in your hearts and are so arrogant to think of yourselves more highly than you ought. Other churches honored God by worshiping Jesus on Christmas Eve, why do you feel you can stand in judgment based on your own traditions? (Other churches could criticize you for not worshipping Jesus on Christmas Eve, but they are too busy worshipping Jesus and reaching the lost.)

Which brings me to the Christmas Day service. Your teaching literally made me sick to my stomach. The following is a quote from your pastor:

"This birth, this virgin birth, amen? Hallelujah! We recite it in our Christmas plays, our little children know the verses. But what an ingenious, miraculous occurrence took place on that day that Mary conceived, amen? think about it. God's great redemptive plan of man, in one man, Adam, all men died. as humanity passed on that sin nature, but the scripture is very clear in telling us that in this ingenious plan God invaded humanity through that little young lady Mary...  Would to God that we would have some of our young ladies that same age, and we are not sure how old Mary was, but she would have been somewhere probably between 14 and 16 years old. That would rise up and regardless of what the natural perception of the world would be say be it unto me according to your will, amen? there are young ladies in here that can know that call of God in this hour. and know that same Holy Spirit that could come and indwell them and though it wouldn't be a child that would be conceived within them it would be that experience of the new creation. They would become a new being, amen? (if you want to hear just this portion - and believe me, you should hear it from his own mouth, start at approximately 8:26)


This should have all of you (in and out of Calvary Temple) very alarmed. It is one thing to teach on the Virgin Birth (a ONE time occurrence in the history of man), and Mary's special mission of God. It is another thing to relate it to the other 14-16 yr old girls sitting in the congregation. If I were a parent in CT, I would take my daughter and run far away. Bob, you can say all you want that you are speaking of spiritual indwelling only, but it is frightening to talk of young girls being "spiritual enough" to stand up and "know that call of God in this hour". ...regardless of what the natural perception of the world would be.... First thought? Who do you have your eye on now, Bob? Or who wants a wife among the 14 or 16 year old girls? Or is it that she is 17 or 18, and the parents need a push to sacrifice their daughter? Is there one among the men that you are trying to appease because he wants a young wife? Is this young girl about to be told she would be answering the call of God on her life just like Mary? Will you be referencing the "for such a time as this" verse?

Calvary Temple members, you must always be aware that the words you are hearing are not always the entire message. You need to listen and understand what is REALLY being communicated. Pedophiles and other abusers are adept at sending a message beyond the obvious words being spoken.


Parents - WAKE UP!!!


Let me ask the members of Calvary Temple this: Suppose a pastor in a church in northern Virginia had molested children for 3 years? And then fled the church when it was discovered? Would you be troubled that he had never answered to a court of law for his felony crimes? How would you feel if you were never told of this pastor's despicable sin? Suppose this pastor kept it hidden from his new congregation, would this bother you? Do you think you might warn others about attending his new church? Or would you give him a pass like you have done your own? And if you warned others, would you now be divisive, enemies, and irredeemable, going to hell? Would you be the bad guy because you want to protect your children and honor the word of God?


Do you think you might be troubled by this same pastor referencing young girls in the manner of this teaching?


Parents, you will be standing before to God to answer for how you protect your children. Let me remind you: Bob teaches that the proper order is: God (Bob, because he is his "mouthpiece") the pastor (again, Bob), the deacons, (let's be real here - Bob), the captains, (well, you know) the kids, then maybe the parents. But God's true order is: God, spouse, family, church. Guess what, Bob is not in there at all. Run, people, run!


The nail scarred hands are not Bob's hands. He did not die for you. But he wants you to die for him. If only you could see what everyone around here sees. Your church is a fake church. Oh, you have some truth and you have some sincere members. But your leadership is corrupt, lying, false, money hungry, power hungry, and they have covered up abuse for years. Abuse has happened right under your noses, and you are refusing to see it.


Run for your lives...for your daughter's lives!




(Oh, and one last thought: how many people will be "out of town" on Super Bowl Sunday? You hypocrites. And whoever fills the pulpit that day will not dare criticize Bob for being on vacation, taking his much needed rest, once again. On Super Bowl Sunday. Unless,of course, his team is not in the game. Then he can stay back and mock those who are not in attendance.)