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I hope Dan is innocent of the charges against him and, if so, that he is exonerated and that he is able to have a positive relationship with his children. I'd have a hard time trusting someone who is praying for my death though!!! It does sound as though he was set up by people who fight dirty for their Christian beliefs but we only have half of the story. I've seen many people who were clearly falsely accused and on the other side many of the accused deny their guilt. I hope everyone involved in this situation tells the truth and that everyone learns positive lessons and become better persons.
You have no idea who I am, but I have heard you. We (our family) went through a lot of the things that you went through. We went to Heritage Baptist Church for several years and we were hurt very badly. It has taken us years to sort through what has happened to us. We saw some ugly things happen all in the name of the Lord and many people like you have been hurt very badly, possibly never to return to Jesus again. We were taught to follow rules. There was no thinking and reasoning on our own. I thought God was a vicious man who wanted me to just follow rules about wearing dresses, being submissive to authority, etc, etc.....I am a portrait artist and I have all but lost that. I thought it was a sin to do something I enjoyed. I now know that is NOT true. God is a just God, but he is a precious, loving God, FULL of grace. He would not tell me NOT to do something that I have loved to do all of my life. Jesus was a kind man. He allowed people to make their own choices. He did not force them. He did not lord over them as Bob did. I remember how Bob would make sarcastic remarks about how I was on a "grace kick.," and when we were struggling in our marriage, he told me "I didn't love God." We all struggle, but that is not because we don't love God. I believe that because of Heritage, I got a wrong view of God. That is changing day by day as I see so much grace in our healing process.
Oh Dan, just remember that Heritage Baptist Fellowship is not the way God intended for the church to be....Heritage is twisted and sick. It is a cult full of rules and no mercy. All truth and no grace leads to death....it almost did for us until we escaped. My husband and I went through some VERY dark valleys. We were on the brink of divorce. We went to a fantastic counselor in Lynchburg who got us thinking outside of the Heritage-ish, legalistic box (we wanted to be as far away from Bob as possible). I will never go back to where I was.
I am so glad you were able to see the light.. Keep doing what you love and keep on searching. The truth is out there.
In Christ
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=9381008
BTW - Something interesting has come about. The reporter said that she asked Barton if there had been any child molestation cases among church members before me and Mr. Stone. He said, no. However, I received an email from a former member that tells me there was another incident before all of this that the pastor has kept secret. This person is trying to get the woman to come forward and share her story with the news as well. I don't know the truth of this, but if it is true that there have been THREE such allegations at the same church (and this church only being six years old) then I would think something was up if I was on the outside looking in.
Heart breaking story there, my jaw was agape as I read that injustice, my heart goes out to you.
There needs to be room for doubt in a persons walk, I have recently "snapped back", the light switch of my faith turned back on, after a serious doubt fest. I wasn't as deep in the mechanism of a church as you were however. I could understand the deep disappointment of family and friends, but to turn and tear your life up in response is absolutely horrifying. You are and always were free to think, free to question, to seek satisfying answers. I hope that you would come back to Christ, with a new perspective, and free of these hurtful people. Your children love you and will always be there for you brother,
Garret
The story is about Dan, not me.
Thanks for the kind words though.
Dan's doubts came before the people hurt him, not after, so he didn't leave the faith due to these actions.
The same for me, I did not leave the faith out of any anger or hurt.
As far as Dan's situation is concerned I can just about guarantee if anyone has messed with the 13 year old it was Pastor Barton! You see if he keeps a smoke screen up then no one will look at him. He is a manipulator. It is people like him that cause others to turn away and for young people to hate the hypocrisy. If I am getting on your nerves, just let me know and I will not comment anymore.
I agree with you on Pastor Barton, something about his mannerisms just rubs me the wrong way.
You are not getting on my nerves at all. Thank you for commenting.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Saddened and 'sorry to hear about your unfortunate circumstances. Rhetorical question: How sad is it when human beings put their love for a hypothetical Supreme being, and their want for a hypothetical afterlife, ahead of their very own real family members; their very own actual family members; their very own provable family members.
As if one can simply "choose" to believe what one finds unbelievable. Then again, Christianity isn't about individuality.
Take care, boom'.
I'm sorry, but I cannot conceive of the supposed "Creator" of all that exists asking us(i.e..requiring us)to turn family against family; to"hate" our own family members, and even our own lives, to presumably demonstrate that we put none before Him/Her/It, and thus, are "worthy" of being His/Her/It's "disciple". Uh uh....'not buyin' it. Such a concept sounds to me like it's much more likely a pathetic example of man attempting to control man. The "Creator of the Universe".....insecure? "jealous"? Please.
See ya around(cool site)
Boom'.
My thought's exactly, you would think a supreme being could rise above our petty emotional responses.
Maybe those who treated you this way, Dan, will never apologize, but I apologize on behalf of Christians, as a Christian, for your treatment. I encourage Christians to ask questions when they have doubt. That it is perfectly okay to investigate what you believe and make certain of its truth. Thomas wanted to see Jesus' pierced hands before believing. That was okay with Jesus, it has to be okay with us.
I know this matter is deeply personal to you. I am sorry for what you endured and endure still. I hope you are one day reconciled with your family.
I pray that you find the healing for your heart and soul that you need and that you find the desires of your heart for truth that is everlasting and experiential.
This is a shocking story, but not really uncommon. The church today is not a healthy place to be. I don't know if Dan is innocent or not, but I pray the right stuff happens.
I gave up on the God in a Box and just follow Him where He leads. I like your blog.
Thanks for your comments. "God in a Box" I like that. ;-)
I have a book, by, I think, J.B. Phillips, called Your God is Too Small.
Even when I was a Christian, I found it odd that people were so certain about this vast, mysterious being we all worshiped.
I'm not certain at all about who He is. I just know He is. And, if you know He isn't, well, that's okay, too.
Dan wrote > "I was a mix of emotions. On the one hand, I was free! I could think again. I could dream! It was the most liberating experience I can ever recall!"
I can relate to that. When I made the final decision to stop believing and abandon Christianity, I was deliriously happy for weeks. My Christian friend at my place of employment told me that my smile was creeping her out. Dumping Jesus was liberating. Although, today I am today a better man for having once been a Christian because now I understand how mind killing and reason choking Christianity is.
Dan, you should have become a Methodist or something like that rather than giving up on God. There are Christian groups out there that permit one to think freely and not toe the line. What you did with your faith is like the same reason I quit going to basketball games because I couldn't dribble, shoot and make the team.
Good luck to you on your lawsuit. Some attorneys are despicable. I hope yours is not.
Sincerely
JOHN
In Him,
Maria
Well I used to be an atheist many years ago.
When you said "I had been taught that atheists were cruel and amoral ", well that is totally wrong. In fact they do have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.
I did see first hand facts, however, with my own eyes that proved atheism wrong, so I had to convert and will never return...
I don't deny the power. I don't see the power. If I did, I would acknowledge it.
I was a reader of that blog since it was posted to Pharyngula back in December. It seems he closed it off to the public sometime since May (last post I read was his explanation on why he left the faith). I remember that you did a lot of the commenting there so you might be in contact with Dan. Any chance you know what has happened since then or can have it arranged so I can continue reading? My email address would be the account I would be using.
I sent your comment, including your email address on to Dan. Last I was in contact with him he seemed in good spirits. I'll let him fill you in with whatever details he feels comfortable with. Thanks for the inquiry.
I'm sorry to say but I don't think Dan will be responding. He was just sentenced to 18 months today.
http://wjz.com/wireapnewsva/Va.pastor.sentenced...
I just heard a few minutes ago what was done to you. I'm so sorry.
No. I'm beyond sorry. I'm sick. I'm... I don't have words for this.
To everyone who reads this, I know Dan Silverman.
I know that he is a good man, a good friend and a good father. He is a man of incredible integrity and honesty.
Oh man, I'm sick.
In a tiny way, I've been where you are. But, nothing like THIS monstrous, obscene injustice.
There was a time when I too started to wonder... To think... To ask questions...
I went through a lot because of that, but nothing like what you've been through. Nothing. Oh man, nothing like this.
The sickness among Baptists is so bad... that... It's gotten to the point that every time I read what Christ said to/about the Pharisees... I think of the legalists, the 'Independant Baptists'.
I am speachless.
If there is anything that I can do to help, let me know. Anything at all. I'm serious.
I am so sorry that they did this to you. It makes me sick. There's nothing that I can say that will make it better, except this:
YOU HAVE FRIENDS
- John Little
If God exists and Jesus is his son, I'm pretty sure they can defend their own honor and you need not worry about anyone hurting the name of Christ.
I have no idea if Dan is guilty or innocent, but at least he has the guts to speak publicly and only in defense of himself.
Anytime someone feels the need to use a phrase like "may the Lord strike me dead" it makes me wonder why just their word isn't good enough.
Matthew 5:34-37 (New International Version)
34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Happy Thanksgiving, SpeakingTheTruth, that's a very humble name. You've done more to dishonor Christ with your two comments than Dan has done with his whole blog.
I too have been deeply wounded by the legalistic baptists - from OKC, OK There are many cults under the auspices of Christianity. It has caused suicides, etc... and I believe Dan is a victim of the fallout of such a cult.
I have known Dan, been in his home, argued with him and prayed with him.....I may not have always agreed - but I know as God is my witness, Dan would never have done anything immoral. He was a good man and a moral man besides his Christian walk.
Dan, the Baptist legalistic are always anonymous - legal reasons? Yeah - when one is a liar, they will attack anonymously. That's a no brainer.
Don't throw the baby out with the water Dan. God never failed you - Praise the Lord you are out of that mess. Maybe now you understand why M's brother is an alcoholic??
You are in my prayers and I want to be your friend (I failed you in the past, please forgive me Dan).
M, has people pitting her.... God will prove Himself and she is walking on dangerous ground for what she has done to the kids via her vengeance that she is no longer the leader of the home.
I have left the Baptists myself and praise God for the worship and serve freely via His Word and in His Grace. I have married and have a wonderful messianic husband. You are welcome to come to us and stay with us. You are loved dearly Dan - I wept when I read your letter. Please forgive me for any part that I may have had in discouraging you. God bless you my dear friend,
n heinricy Psalm 34
Profile name: unknown
aliases:
* unknown
* unknown
* Tim
* unknown
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* Tim
* resident
* Unknown
* Anonymous
* SpeakingTheTruth
Dan, do you know a Tim who'd be willing to break the law to attack you?
I know a Tim, but the person commenting here says that they do not know the pastor. The Tim I remember is a deacon at the church and would know the pastor, so this must not be him (provided the person is being truthful). But Tim is a common name. I have, in the past, ministered in many churches in several states (Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and even one in California). Tim, if that is their name, could be a member in any of these churches.