Gazing at the sheep pen with the 99 safely sheltered there is NOT the Gospel. To minimize what happened to some because it didn't happen to all and to overlook evil because it's tiny compared to all the good perpetuates the problem. christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/decemb…

Dianne Darr Couts Tyler Campbell Or this: pastors hired me to mediate a crisis because I'm trauma informed, but rejected my first suggestion, then never asked another question about protecting the hurting. More and more, I fear that sensitivity to trauma is performative box-checking.

Dianne Darr Couts Tiffany Thigpen Ppl think it's ugly & want to hide & hide from the wounds & healing that is needed & include seeing the whole ugly truth & owning it Not only the abuser & the targets but the whole social setting involved But Jesus rose from the dead & showed us his wounds! -"Don't be afraid!"

When a child lives with unpredictable, terrifying, and relentless abuse, they experience themselves as perpetually powerless. Phrases as “it doesn’t matter” and “forget it” are common.  Tragically, they have learned that what matters to them does not matter to others.

Fellow advocates who expose evil in religious settings, take note: The coverup, the justification, the disregard for victims, it's just as bad in other institutions that project an image of "doing good" while covering up evil. yahoo.com/news/harbor-uc…

A maddening but freeing thought: Evildoers in high places will be what they will be and their followers will support them no matter what. Gnash your teeth for awhile but then let it go. Use your energy for helping the wounded and for enlightening those who want to see.

I had to stop scrolling tonight because post after post after post was the same traumatizing video of John MacArthur. But, I'm glad. It means it hit a nerve and that's a good thing. It's about time evangelicals are incensed over this nonsense. @ThingsFellApart-TheCenterHeld

However, I'm most thankful for the individuals who have reached out to me, telling me that my story helped them understand theirs - which, of course, is a big stepping stone toward healing. I wonder where the book will take me next? 2/2 @ThingsFellApart-TheCenterHeld

Four years ago this month I published @ThingsFellApart-TheCenterHeld. Thank you to everyone who bought and read my memoir, wrote reviews, arranged for a book club to read it or had me come to speak about it. Those public affirmations have been so rewarding. 1/2

Meanwhile, across much of our culture in general and in Christendom in particular, the mindset that if something bad happens to you, you either caused it or you deserve it is why attorneys and accountants figure such absurdities will fly. (Puns intended.) 2/2

"American Airlines initially argued that the [nine-year-old] girl was at fault and negligent because she used a lavatory “she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.” They are backpedaling now. 1/2

"Whistleblowers didn’t want the organization’s destruction . . . Unhealthy leaders didn’t want anything—good or bad—to change but persist in blaming the “dissidents,” who had simply pointed out the cracks." rhopkins.substack.com/p/what-whistle…

"It can be so hard to let go of the war knowing that when you do, it is really over. It happened and you can’t change the outcome. Surrender really is surrendering the hope for an outcome that can’t happen." "It's Never Too Late to Start Healing" Gretchen Smelser, 6/9/2024

Here's a thought: Let's post the Fruit of the Spirit because, against love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, there is no law.

Please understand: Individuals give their lives - body, soul and spirit - to serve in faith groups, believing the entities are devoted to a godly cause AND to godly principles. When those groups turn into cold institutions, it's a profound betrayal. rhopkins.substack.com/p/why-i-an-inv…

It takes courage to speak truth to power. Silence in response is a tactic institutions use to 1) minimize victims' concerns and 2) shut down further dialogue . Thank you, Rebecca, for exposing THAT too. rhopkins.substack.com/p/you-made-you…

Laura Martin, Laura Martin, posted a review of my memoir. She summarized it very well and noticed some of the things I tried to do - like telling it from a child's perspective and creating a story arc rather than just stringing incidents together. THANK YOU, Laura!

This is the correct link to the review of my MK memoir:lightenough.wordpress.com/2024/11/20/thi…

If the library categorizes my memoir under "inspirational," I'll take it! I've been invited to participate as an author in the Akron-Summit County Library's Book Fest this coming Saturday, March 8th. @ThingsFellApart-TheCenterHeld

I didn't realize five years ago that my book would take on a life of its own - newspaper articles, book clubs, podcasts, library events, and conferences. It's been an astonishing ride! You can order it here: bit.ly/diannesmemoir