Atheists And Christians Community Blog - Latest Comments in The plight of Dan Silverman

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

johnplittle — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:14:54 -0000

Dan,

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

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

nancy h. cohen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:48:41 -0000

Thanks for trying. I am heart sick over this stupidity. Thanks again Ryan and MIke

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:20:41 -0000

It's been about a week since I had any communication with Dan. I have forwarded all your comments to him, but have no idea if or when he will get them, as I do not know when the sentence begins.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Ryan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:34:57 -0000

I have no idea. I tried to get in contact with him (or at least read his blog again) but he had much more important things to worry about. Mike might know.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

nancy h. cohen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:26:24 -0000

Do you know how we can mail him? This is a travesty!!!!!!

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

nancy h. cohen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:22:05 -0000

I don't know who this "Speaking the Truth" is BUT M Silverman is a wuss who would turn in her own mother on a bogus charge if she thought it would make her look better. I PERSONALLY had to rebuke this woman for causing discord in our church. She knows this and I know it and so does the leader who asked me to take her aside!!!! Get a grip STT - you have NO idea who M is and what she is capable of.....

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

nancy h. cohen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:14:35 -0000

I'm a Jewish Christian and I know Dan and his family. I worked with them in Israel. I personally could not work with his wife because she was a legalistic baptist. Because I don't want to get into a spitting match, I won't detail the insane rules and attitudes she had. Dan was an incredible Bible teacher and disciple my son who was in deep depression. I appreciated what he did for my son deeply. Because I could not stomach the legalism his wife was steeped in - I distanced myself from he and his family. Sadly, I was not the friend I should have been.
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

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Ryan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:14:06 -0000

@ Steve

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...

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Steve Cohen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:01:46 -0000

Dan, I have some questions, how can I reach you? scinfl@aol.com

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:42:55 -0000

Hi Ryan,

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.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Ryan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:31:50 -0000

Mike,

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.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:52:15 -0000

"In fact they do have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof."

I don't deny the power. I don't see the power. If I did, I would acknowledge it.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Randall Alaimo — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:07:35 -0000

Hi,
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...

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

ClarkCultVictim — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:03:16 -0000

I still believe in God, but the god of Christianity is much to humanistic to be the loving God that they profess. I believe that the problem stems from taking the Bible way too literally. Satan is the prince of this world, and he knows how to deceive us all. What better tool to use than the Bible. Look at all of the confusion and division in Christianity. Who can one trust? Definitely not a man or an organization. That is why the Scriptures say to "not lean on our own understanding," but to let the Spirit lead. It must be a personal relationship with God. Every person who seeks God will find Him, but as soon as you join your self to a "leader" of the faith, you have severed your lifeline with God. You have begun to follow a man. It is good to have fellowship with others, and necessary, but to follow a man, even one who has received revelation knowledge, is dangerous. I learned that the hard way. When men try to teach the Way of God, and you listen, and you follow them, you give glory to them and idolize them, taking away from God what is rightfully His, and God's way become corrupted. It is okay to listen, and if it is Truth that is being taught, rejoice in that Truth, but go no further. Do not puff the teacher up, lest pride fills his heart (the way it has done to John Clark of pastorjohnshouse.com in Graham, NC) and he becomes over-religious and self-righteous. John Clark professes that God is calling His people out of Christianity, based on Revelation scripture. But as soon as you come out and join a non-Christian group, such as John Clark's, you form another Christian sect. It doesn't matter what you call it. After my experience with J.C., I believe that God is calling His people out of hypocrisy. Christianity has many very good qualities about it, but would be much more God-like if there were no hypocrites in it.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

ClarkCultVictim — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:41:43 -0000

Wow! I know exactly what Dan is going through. I too wanted to know God and the Truth, to live right, but I got involved with following a man whose way was all about control over his followers. He lives in Graham, NC. His website is pastorjohnshouse dot com. He labeled me evil, falsely accused me of "abusing my wife," "ruining my son" (he was only 2 years old at the time), of being arrogant, proud, greedy, and lazy. He always taught that "a false accusation is a confession." Well, I knew what was in his heart. They brainwashed my over-religious wife and she divorced me. My best friend was our pastor's brother-in-law, got into spiritual trouble (internet pornography), but was allowed to stay in the group. I got into trouble for doubting what was going on, and I got excommunicated. I know that there is no justice in our justice system. I was unsuccessful in my lawsuit against my former pastor. So I've written a book about my experience. It is titled, "Escape from a Backwoods Cult." It is in production now at Tate Publishing Co. I am also working on a website to promote my book, and for others (especially those still following John Clark) to learn the truth about what he has done. The temporary address to it is www dot geocities dot com slash watchtower_sentinel slash bwcult_001 dot htm. My next book will be about a lot of my thoughts about God and the Truth, many of which are very similar to Dan's. My former pastor claims to be non-Christian. Many of his beliefs go against traditional Christian beliefs, but like most Christians, hypocrisy rules. As Dan found out. I can tell by reading Dan's testimony above that he is not a hypocrite. I hope that he will be vindicated one day, soon.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Maria — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:47:48 -0000

Dan, I spent a year in Israel and had the opportunity for a time of praise, Bible study, and fellowship at your house in the spring of 2005. Although my friends and I only spent an afternoon with you and your family, I remembered and cherished the time spent with believers while away from my home in the U.S. I want you to know and understand that God, in the midst of all of that which you have shared, is very real and loves you SO MUCH. PLEASE look to His word, because, Dan, "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Mike aka Monolith, this applies to you as well. I believe with all of my heart, breaking over this blog, that our Father has never turned His loving hand from you and that He wants you to understand His love. My prayers are with the both of you.
In Him,
Maria

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:05:24 -0000

Thanks for the clarification and your thoughts, JEB.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

JEB — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:59:52 -0000

Well, it seems there's too many John's around. (I've always said that everyone needs a john now and then) Anyway, to clarify I'll post from now on as JEB rather then John and I was the one that said 'Good people are good etc.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

John — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:38:00 -0000

I have said it long and I have said it loud, much to the aggravation of some of my friends but I believe it to be the truth. What I have said is this . . . 'Good people are good because they are good and IN SPITE OF THEIR RELIGIONS. Wicked people use their religion to JUSTIFY THEIR WICKEDNESS'. Dan might not appreciate me calling his former pastor and wife wicked. Delusional for sure but wicked??? But I don't know what else you can call thing they are trying to do to Dan other then wicked. And for the sake of God/Jesus of course. But when the god you serve says, 'Love/worship me or I'll burn you forever', I guess it's not surprising what people will do, eh? That's the choice the christians are always talking about that god gives us but I suggest to you that that's not a choice . . . . it's an ultimatum. So you'd better listen up. Pitiful except that this is what's put Dan in the unenviable place he's in right now. One can only hope that justice is served and Dan is proven innocent with at least visitation rights with his children.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

John Edwards — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:47:17 -0000

Dan, over my life a good number of my friends have been Baptists. I love them all very much, but I see the same mindless, rule-abiding, non-critical thinking side to them that you saw at Heritage. Hence, I parted company with them on religious values at some point in my life.

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

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Wordgazer — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:34:26 -0000

It is really sad that Christianity can be made into such bondage that people feel like this upon leaving it. All I can say is that Christ came to set free, not bring into bondage, and what you left was a stifling religion that probably had very little to do with the real Christ at all.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:03:37 -0000

I agree, certainly one wouldn't want to reject all of theism just based on a cult experience.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Wordgazer — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:17:36 -0000

I'm appalled at Dan's story. That kind of Christianity that he left is indistinguishable from a cult. I'm sure he realizes that it doesn't represent all of Christianity. I would only hope that in seeking to think for himself, which is his right and privilege, he would think not just about the atheists' side of the arguments, but the arguments of non-fundamentalist Christians-- so that he can make sure he really wants to leave not just Christian fundamentalism, but theism in general.

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:45:39 -0000

Thanks for telling your story April. I'm glad you are happy and free!

Re: The plight of Dan Silverman

April Marshall — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:10:09 -0000

My parents began attending Heritage Baptist church when I was 15 years old. I was forced to attend there until I was 18, almost 19 years old, due to the fact that women at Heritage Baptist Church were treated like doormats. I was 18, and not allowed to get a job or work, or go to school. I was told I was to live at home, under my father, until they "decided" who I was going to marry. When I was almost 19, I jumped out of my bedroom window with two duffel bags full of clothes. I have not seen my parents since. Only Dan in his heart knows what he truly feels. However, I will not dispute his claim of hipocrisy resulting in "Pastor" Bob Barton. Has he even been to seminary??? I cannot say anything more than I have never been happier to be a young adult working a full time job, and out of the cult of Heritage "Baptist Church".