tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post116898975963453988..comments2024-03-28T13:48:12.219+00:00Comments on Alan in Belfast: Savage Shepherds – Adam HarbinsonAlan in Belfast (Alan Meban)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04647690758839987063noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-29860019883615146282007-06-20T22:52:00.000+01:002007-06-20T22:52:00.000+01:00After leaving the Shepherding movement twenty year...After leaving the Shepherding movement twenty years ago I still feel the pain it inflicted to myself and many of my friends. I do not understand how those who are still in it have survived. My heart always goes out to them. WE have only one life. God will not be angry if you leave. He will not be angry if you give your offerings to the poor. Ezekiel 34 tells us about abusive, brow beating Shepherds who control and rip off the weak while the strong get stronger.<BR/> He loves you. I have set before you an open door which no man can shut. You can go through it now in Christ's name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-37563721419077847062007-02-20T23:18:00.000+00:002007-02-20T23:18:00.000+00:00I am quite shocked by Neville McCullough's comment...I am quite shocked by Neville McCullough's comment for several reasons. Firstly, he appears to be of the opinion that the publication of Adam Harbinson's book, Savage Shepherds is an indication that Adam has not moved on. If he has read the book he would see that is not the case. Secondly, I fail to see how Mr McCullough can claim that Adam Harbinson suffered very little unless he hasn't actually read the book! If he hasn't read the book how would he know what Adam Harbinson and his family suffered? Members of the particular church involved totally distanced themselves from anyone who left the group. James and Phyllis Alsdurf quote in their book Battered into Submission "the only ones who don't think abuse is bad are those doing the abusing." Although I was never part of this group I am constantly in touch with many ex-members who have been deeply hurt, some of them recently. Knowing Adam Harbinson the 'pulpit' is the last place he would like to be as he relates the true message of Jesus to an eager audience who has been so battered and bruised by religion and what better way than through the media.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-59682226067843164492007-02-19T00:19:00.000+00:002007-02-19T00:19:00.000+00:00It would not be helpful to get into a slanging mat...It would not be helpful to get into a slanging match about who suffer what and how much, but Mr McCullough should know better! However, there's a number of things that surprise and sadden me. Firstly, there's the stoicism; the 'keep it in the family', the 'don't talk about it' attitude that deceives people into believing that you can move on, while unresolved hurts and wounds remain unresolved. <BR/>My plea is, don't bury your grievances and pain, for you bury them alive, and as surely as night follows day, they will fester, and spring back to life. You cannot properly move on until you have dealt with them.<BR/>The other thing I would say, without gloating, is this. Your leader has fallen, he's human, he has already been forgiven and the penalty paid, but don't brush over it. Forgive him? Of course! But recognise that a great wrong has been done by one who for decades made his people believe - including me for a while - that he was placed above them in a chain of command that reached back to God. Jesus specifically said that this must not be the case (Matt 23 8-12). Please, see this difficult time as a window of opportunity to find out where things went wrong, and why. I do not intend lecture anyone, rather I appeal to the members of the church to rebuild your life on the solid rock of your relationship with Jesus - no one in between. <BR/>And believe me, there are many of your brothers and sisters in Christ in Bangor and beyond, who are praying for you and your leader - including me. This is a time to focus on redemption.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15892609416024434149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-27771011815771719472007-02-17T08:54:00.000+00:002007-02-17T08:54:00.000+00:00I dont think that> His business was wrecked by all...I dont think that<BR/><BR/>> His business was wrecked by allegations<BR/>> of financial irregularities, his family was put <BR/>> under immense strain, and his health suffered.<BR/><BR/>really counts as "he suffered very little"?Alan in Belfast (Alan Meban)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04647690758839987063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-47272358681626669562007-02-16T22:47:00.000+00:002007-02-16T22:47:00.000+00:00mr harbinson appears not to move onwhen if truth b...mr harbinson appears not to move on<BR/>when if truth be told he suffered very little and it has been said he always yearned for a pulpit but some say he has got it ie local medianeville mcculloughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01906454944941557526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21098869.post-1169053274750776292007-01-17T17:01:00.000+00:002007-01-17T17:01:00.000+00:00I think quite normal, sensible people can get trap...I think quite normal, sensible people can get trapped in all kinds of organisations. The spiritual aspect makes it easier for people to accept circumstances that they wouldn't normally buy into or would at least stand up to in normal society. But the feeling of "these people are Godly" and "I'm disobeying God" means that the normal common sense doesn't override. And abusive relationships are common enough in everyday society, with children and partners pressurised into all kinds of situations that outsiders find it hard to believe they didn't stand up to.<BR/><BR/>Scientology ... as a teenager, having read through L Ron Hubbard's <B>Mission Earth</B> ten volume sci fi series while still a frequent customer of the old Lisburn library, it seems ludicrous to accept that he could define a sensible religion!Alan in Belfast (Alan Meban)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04647690758839987063noreply@blogger.com