Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

This past week, abuse survivors who attended PBI were threatened with a lawsuit by another former alumni. The letter of intent to sue and the response - PBI alumnist, North Carolina minister threatens to sue PBI abuse survivors.

Background and the latest, including an interview with Linda Fossen, spokesperson for the Facebook group, We were Prairie bible school kids – When communication breaks down PBI abuse survivors and the online dance

 I think to the broader question, there still are many alumni who view the survivors as being “sent by satan to destroy the school” and as such, they feel justified in fighting against us. Let me make it very clear, the survivors do not seek to destroy the school. We actually want to save her from herself! We want hold those who have abused children accountable and help Prairie take steps to ensure that no other child has to suffer like we did.

6) How is this escalation affecting other abuse survivors?

The survivors are weary. They have basically been under attack from the beginning. The continued hostility hurts them deeply and we continue to have issues with those from the outside wanting to sabotage our group.

John Kepler (PHS ’71, PBC ’75)
Jim Crites (PHS ’78, PBC ’82)
Mim Carlson Phibbs (PHS ’59, PBC ’63)
Brenda Boytim Morrison (PHS ’74, PBC ’78)
Priscilla Virts Johnson (PHS ’72)

A step forward.
There have been a few steps back this week.

My heart sank to see confusion, hurt, frustration and questions from alumni about why a spokesperson for abuse survivors who reached out, told alumni about talking with the PBI president after weeks of impasse, who metaphorically shook the hands of friendship offered. A invested group has every reason to wonder why a spokesperson gets banned from an open group where people were inching forward and finding grace.  Fossen had done a great deal at this FB page to clear up misconceptions about the abuse survivors she speaks for, she allayed fears about lawsuits (while facing one) and talking openly of the stress she has faced and the tears she has shed.

And like that, a moderator for Prairie Bible College Alumni and Current Students sends  spokesperson Linda Fossen into  pixeland. Banned. Banished. Out of there. Gone.  No explanation. Then I saw this in comments under a link to Shawn Anderson’s post I sent you off to read:

If you are not aware of alumnist Fred Whaples letter to abuse survivors  of his intent to sue, it’s here. I’ll wait. What looks like a step forward for Whaples is not when this comment is placed in context.  It’s an escalation. What may have been an independent decision by a moderator to ban, takes on a gut knotting chill for people chatting on FB and for observers driving by. Conversations and motives become threatening, confusing and unsafe.

A step back.
I emailed Linda Fossen with a few questions about how this banishment and Whaples comment affects her and her beleagured group of survivors.
I think these latest events is about more than a FB spat, and more about the ongoing pattern of step forward/ step back in a long and difficult journey for PBI survivors of abuse, PBI and alumni. I’ll post here when I get a response.

1) You’ve had an opportunity to post at a PBI alumni FB page.

Yes I have. It was an open group that several survivors have joined recently.

How did that go?

Well, at first it was awkward with the usual conflicts that go along with the inevitable clash between those who are very loyal to PBI and those who aren’t. We survivors tend to fit into the latter group for some strange reason.
The conversation turned toward abuse and there was a lot of consternation with the alumni reminding us that if we wanted to discuss abuse we should talk about it somewhere else but not on their group wall.
There were very rough patches in the initial conversation but what eventually emerged was a very open dialogue between people of different viewpoints who shared a sense of community. Survivors felt empowered and began to speak their truth. There was mixed reception to this. We had some alumni who sincerely seemed to care and want to help and
then those who would just as soon not know if anyone was abused at PBI because it was all in the past.
Overall, it was a good conversation – a lot of give and take. I went to sleep last night encouraged that even though we still had our major differences, perhaps we alumni might be beginning to find some common ground.

2) Something changed yesterday. What happened?

It sure did. I woke up to discover that I had been kicked out of the alumni group without any warning or explanation! I was stunned, especially after I had poured out my heart and had even gone so far as to talk about a major step I had taken of ending the stalemate between President Mark Maxwell and me by contacting him and telling him my story. Telling my story to Mark Maxwell was very difficult and painful - especially when I described the shame that had been pounded into me at Prairie. I can remember so vividly as a young girl sitting in the Prairie Tabernacle and feeling such immense shame as L.E. Maxwell pounded his fists on the pulpit and hollered about how much God demanded holiness.
I remember thinking how much God must hate me because I knew I could never be holy. I was damaged. It was very painful and empowering to be able to tell the grandson of L.E. Maxwell how much this hurt.

Prior to all of this on January 30th without any advanced notice I received a letter of intent to sue from Pastor Fred Whaples, an alumni of the school. The letter stated that I would be sued for comments made on a private Facebook group that I administer along with others. Fred had at one time been a member of the group until we removed him.

3) After you received the letter of intent from Fred Whaples, what did you do?

I read it to my husband and we both decided that it was very poorly written. It did not sound like it came from an attorney at all. I contacted attorneys and we talked about the letter that Fred sent me. I was not at all upset, in my opinion it was just another attempt by Pastor Whaples to try to intimidate and silence us survivors.
He had threatened lawsuits to others before me so hearing about a lawsuit was nothing new. Following through to this point was.

4) This has to be unsettling. Fred Whaples has told you he is coming to Florida and you’d better meet with him or he is going to the Sheriff. Are you concerned for your safety?

When I read this portion of the document, I began to feel concern. There was no way in the world I was going to meet with Fred Whaples – and for sure not by myself! I have been on the receiving end of his belligerence before and I was not about to be there again. There was no possible way that I would agree to meet with him.

5) Why do you think you are being threatened?

Fred Whaples has been a source of contention with the survivors I represent since day one. He was in our group several months back and regularly disrupted it by preaching at us and throwing scriptures in our faces and being brazen. I think most of the survivors would agree that Fred has been quite abusive to us. Why he is doing this is anyone’s guess. All I know is that he is not welcome in our group. I think to the broader question, there still are many alumni who view the survivors as being “sent by satan to destroy the school” and as such, they feel justified in fighting against us. Let me make it very clear, the survivors do not seek to destroy the school. We actually want to save her from herself! We want hold those who have abused children accountable and help Prairie take steps to ensure that no other child has to suffer like we did.

6) How is this escalation affecting other abuse survivors?

The survivors are weary. They have basically been under attack from the beginning. The continued hostility hurts them deeply and we continue to have issues with those from the outside wanting to sabotage our group. They contact our members to intimidate them or get information about our group that they can pass along.
Fred Whaples claims to get inside information from people who “cut and paste” from our private Facebook group. This is not only unethical but it is very cruel.
The basis for this letter of intent from Fred Whaples claims to have recent documentation off our group wall. If this is so, then this information was designated to have been private and inaccessible to Fred in the first place.

7) What can people do to help?

I am calling on all alumni of the school to get involved. Everyone needs to acknowledge that children were abused at Prairie and realize that it is no longer necessary to deny
this fact. The best thing alumni can do is to show compassion, and kindness to the survivors. Many of these survivors have endured life-long consequences from their abuse and may have gone through traumatic changes in their belief systems. And they are alumni of the school and as such deserve to be heard and acknowledged. All of us need to realize that we are in this together and when one of us suffers, we all suffer.

Anything else you’d like to say?

I am calling on Mark Maxwell to encourage the alumni to support all the survivors regardless of whether they are willing to reconcile with the school or not. All of the
survivors deserve our love and support and there should be no distinction in our treatment of the survivors by who is loyal to PBI and who is not. These are precious hurting people who need us!

Again, this is a situation where Canadian Christians are doing the right things, helping victims, notifying the ministerial association ( Christian Ministers Association) contacting a BC church Javid supposedly represented himself as a staff member of, warning media and parachurch conferences where Javid is scheduled to participate, pleading with Javid’s current church (Church of Zion) to keep him out of ministry, and going to law enforcement.

Rev. Nick Osborne is a youth minister of  an SBC affiliated church in Kettering BC (First Baptist) Who went to police. (correction – not this Rev. Osborne! my bad – BD) He is a former minister and former co-pastor with Javid.  From The Truth about Afshin Javid:

In fact, the police were notified immediately when the women came forward by Rev Nick Osborne. As I recall, his wife had a relative who was an RCMP member. According to Nick the police acknowledged that this was a breach of trust but because the women were not minors, they had to file the complaint themselves. In the summer of 2011, another former VCF member phoned the police also and messaged the bulk of the VCF adherents on Facebook to say that he had done so.

In Canada the statistics  of sexual assault reporting is sobering.

• Of every 100 incidents of sexual assault, only 6 are reported to the police
• 1 – 2% of “date rape” sexual assaults are reported to the police
• 1 in 4 North American women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime
• Only 2 – 4% of all sexual assaults reported are false reports

Sexual assault is about power and control, shame and fear are emotional and soul wounds which take time, support and professional help to overcome. Trauma cripples. Christians can do a great deal to stop the blame and shame game. In Canada the criminal code definition of assault also applies to sexual assault.

265. (1) A person commits an assault when

• (a) without the consent of another person, he applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly;
• (b) he attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or
• (c) while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation thereof, he accosts or impedes another person or begs.

(2) This section applies to all forms of assault, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm and aggravated sexual assault.

(3) For the purposes of this section, no consent is obtained where the complainant submits or does not resist by reason of

• (a) the application of force to the complainant or to a person other than the complainant;
• (b) threats or fear of the application of force to the complainant or to a person other than the complainant;
• (c) fraud; or
• (d) the exercise of authority.

There is no time limit in British Columbia on when a sexual assault can be reported to police.  So why aren’t alleged sexual assault victims of Afshin Javid going to police?

Dr. Daniel Holmes left a comment here at BDBO  which will help people understand why it is such a difficult journey for these young adults to reclaim and regain their emotional, social and spiritual power.

The women are in a very complex situation. Let me explain:

1. Exclusivity
You have to understand the cult mentality that existed in VCF. Once brought into VCF, friendships were redirected so that they were nearly exclusively within the group. This was fostered by a strange kind of superiority and narcissism that this was the “real church” and this as the “real faith” described in Acts 2.:44 whereas people in other churches were second rate. So there was a sense of privilege for being “one of the chosen ones” – there was a lot of flattery too. The whole thing played into the narcissistic tendencies that exist in all of us – and I include myself in this. There was a tremendous pressure to be at Afshin’s all of the time. Afshin’s house was always open. This was presented as an act of generosity but in fact, it was employed as a Trojan Horse. This would allow people to be there late into the night when they were emotionally vulnerable. You get the picture.

2. Isolation
As the attention of the young people who attended was gradually focussed inward into the group, their outside relationships tended to diminish. This was particularly true for kids who decided to go live at the house. This offer was always on the table it seemed. Once people were living at the house, there was an opportunity to develop what my friend Faith (pseudonym) called “the new normal”, that is, “the adjusted moral calibrator”. Afshin would gradually adjust the tone of discussions group and private to encompass sexual matters. It started with joking and then it would proceed (recall: out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks).

3. Prophetic Leader
The third and most potent part of the deception was that Afshin unequivocally assumed the role of prophet. This was predicated on the theophany (ie vision of Christ) he claims in his book. He would sometimes say, “Well, I am the one who looked into Jesus’ eyes” – that is “I know what Jesus is like [and you don't]“. After the vision of Christ, he claimed to be given this prophetic gift. He did not say explicitly that he was a prophet but he claimed to be able to look into anyone’s life and see in an instant the state of their soul. He would convey this “state” with a drawing, that is, a picture metaphor. Some people were very moved by what he had to say to them. He would always start by saying, “I have a gift, a spiritual gift, Jesus gave to me”. He would sometimes say, “Let’s have some fun with this. What do you want to know?” Then there would be a drawing and a little bit of back and forth where he would ask the recipient if the picture made sense. If the picture resonated with the person, that was it. They were hooked. Afshin’s picture drawings were generically referred to as “Afshin’s gift” – everyone knew this meant the picture drawings.

On the matter of prophecy, Afshin’s dreams played an important role in control of the group. He would have dreams that were obviously self-serving (like Mohammad – see Surah 33 for example). One fine example was the attempt to poach my friend’s motorcycle. “Don (pseudonym), I had a dream that you gave me your motorcycle”. That is, “Don, you are going to give me your motorcycle in the future”. I know, it’s laughable, but people would believe it. After all, people believed Mohammad when he said that he was allowed to take Zaynab (the wife of his adopted son) as his own wife, because Allah had given special dispensation.

4.Obedience
Over the course of a short period, say weeks, the devotion obtained with the picture drawing would lead to more sessions and gradual control. He would frame obedience to himself personally as a prerequisite for staying in the group. Any challenge to his authority was really framed as disobedience to God. He repeatedly talked about his “army mentality” – “As I submit to my elders, so you also should submit to me” – except whenever he was asked to submit to his elders, he refused. In fact, his refusal to submit to any authority is why he kept migrating accountability.

5. Shunning and Shaming:
People who left the group were characterized as disobedient to God and were shamed and shunned – and I mean shunned. At MissionsFest this w/e I was told by an ex-VCF female that when I broke contact with Afshin, she was not allowed to call me and ask why. She was only told “it was his issue not ours”. She was forced to join in the shunning. Shaming and shunning were a big part of the control. And here is the kicker, if you crossed the leader, you would be shunned and then you would lose your entire support structure all in one shot. Fortunately for me, I was not a VCF member per se… I just came to the house from time to time. I still got shunned – thank the LORD. There was a pervasive fear of rebuke from Afshin because it was understood that he was the one who had the prophetic gift. When he spoke, for some of them, it was as if God was speaking.

6. Compromise
Wearing down of previously established moral barriers was a big part of the VCF technique. This was accomplished by framing personal codes of ethics as “spirits of religiosity”. So, for example, exhorting Afshin not to make off colour jokes or swear might be framed as “a religious spirit”. By the systematic application of this technique over the course of months, you could take a clean living kid and get them to think it’s OK that the pastor is massaging topless women in his living room. I know that seems patently ridiculous but it worked. Kids who came from upright homes were suddenly participating in things that would have struck them as entirely repugnant 6 months earlier.

7. And most confusingly
Through all of this, great worship sessions were maintained as were really powerful sessions of prayer among the adherents. It seemed that God still came and met with those gathered in his name.

So, I think that the reader understands when you love bomb, isolate, create devotion and obedience to a prophet, you can basically get anyone to do anything. This is why Amir Darius Javid, Afshin’s brother, said to me on the phone that Afshin had “A Mohammad complex”. That is, he did the same things to exercise control that Mohammad did… and Joseph Smith… and Jim Jones… I used to think only a half-wit could fall into a cult. Now I know that any passionate person with a deep desire for growth, if they end up in the wrong place, can be a spiritual victim.

Back to the original point: the women feel ashamed for having fell for something so stupid and they are genuinely afraid of Afshin – I mean very afraid. I have talked to them. But as John said, “We do not have a spirit of fear.”

Lord Jesus, would you glorify your Father in this? Please help your servants clean up this mess by your grace and power. Restore your glory LORD.

 I am the ghost author of Afshin’s (Javid) autobiography, “As Easy as Drinking Water” (WinePress Publishing, Enumclaw, WA). I wrote the entire text of this book based on approximately 13 hours of audio dictation provided to me by Afshin. The writing, revision and proofing of the book took place between November 2009 and May 2010.

By September 2010, I had seen enough unethical conduct on Afshin’s part and had found sufficient irreconcilable discrepancies in his testimonial account that I saw it necessary to part ways with him. In October of 2010, I informed Missions Fest Vancouver that he was an ill-advised choice of speaker and that he represented a liability to that organization.

Javid’s credentials were yanked by his credentialing association, which has not posted a public statement (an announcement was apparently made in an annual meeting) and even The Christian Broadcasting Network (Pat Robertson) cancelled a 700 Club appearance by Javid.

This is a case where Canadian Christians have stepped forward and done the appropriate and right thing. Ministers do not investigate, sanction and warn one of their own without credible evidence. However, a church in Vancouver has not heeded the reports of sexual misconduct, twisted scripture and financial impropriety.

By this time Afshin, evidenced by his actions, was no longer under the umbrella of Dr. Safarian or the North Shore Pastors Group. He had negotiated to come under Zion Church leaders Albert Zehr and Gideon Chiu (www.churchofzion.org) with David Demian having been brought into many discussions prior to this.

In January of 2012, with full knowledge and ascent of Zion Church leadership, Afshin went to Denmark for a number of speaking engagements and he has indicated that he will be speaking in a number of large events overseas in the winter of 2012.

David Demian, who attends Church of Zion, is well known in Canadian charismatic circles, and runs an organization called Watchmen for the Nations. (the website is down) Why he would  sanction the continued ministry of Afshin Javid after knowledge of sexual misconduct is something only he can address.

If a list of well known and concerned Christian leaders in Vancouver and a credentialing association aren’t sufficient for David Demian  and Church of Zion to re-consider their support, what is?

Afshin Javid has an operating website and a Facebook page.

Divorced, divorcing, accused of being a sexual predator, being sued for bringing an alleged financial scam into his church, self-appointed, wealthy prosperity preacher…

This January 29th spectacle at New Birth Missionary Church in Atlanta is not going over well in charismatic circles online, which tend to tolerate excess. It is chilling to hear Eddie Long fans cheering and clapping and to see church members jumping up and down.
God will not be mocked.

Update:Ralph Messer, the Christian in a kippah (he is not a rabbi, but a prosperity preacher in the Hebrew Roots movement from Colorado) who has been mocked and condemned for this show, attempts to defend himself.

There is no defense.

I’m bringing this up from the comments – Rev. Wil Gafney, Associate Professor of Biblical Hebrew and Jewish and Christian Scripture dismantles the Long/Messer ceremony.

Update: Eddie Long has written a letter of apology to a branch of Anti-Defamation League, saying the ceremony wasn’t his idea.

Richard Bartholomew has the details. We’ll have to take C. Pete’s word for it, there is nothing on the State of Delaware General Assembly site. There is nothing from anyone except C. Pete. Either he was given a tribute, he was hoodwinked, or he is doing some hoodwinking. Given this supposedly happened January 19th, I would think an official copy of an official tribute would have been put up on some official State of Delaware website by now. This is after all supposedly from the state House of Representatives and it’s a far cry from a mayor handing Wagner a key to the city of Seaford. The city website  has no mention of tributes and keys being handed out January 19th, nor is there any mention in council meeting agendas for January.  There is nothing on sponsor Daniel Shorts website.There is nothing in the religious news section of WBOC, nothing at WMDT, nothing in community or religion in the two Seaford newspapers…

Here is Wagner’s report of the Apostolic Government in Delaware.

As part of the ceremony, I was officially welcomed as an apostle and authorized to help commission apostles to the state. The mayor of Seaford (a committed believer) read the Commendation from his office and presented me with the key to the city. This was followed by a Tribute complete with the seal of the Sussex County Council, a Tribute with the seal of the Senate of the State of Delaware, and a Tribute from the House of Representatives of the State of Delaware read personally by the representative of the district.

State of Delaware House of Representatives. Tribute. Be it known to all that the House of Representatives recognizes Dr. C. Peter Wagner As an Apostle For the Occasion of Commissioning Apostles in the State of Delaware.   On this special day of the Commissioning Service, we honor Dr. C. Peter Wagner for his many years of faithful service to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and the advancement of His Kingdom. ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.” Rev. 3:7.’ The House of Representatives extends its sincere congratulations and directs this tribute to be presented on this 19^th day of January 2012. (Signed) Robert F. Gilligan, Speaker of the House; Richard L. Puffer, Chief Clerk of the House, Representative Daniel B., Short, Sponsor.”

Update: Rachel Tabachnick, an outstanding researcher at Talk2Action has confirmed what the State of Delaware has done. This goes far beyond a Republican, Democrat issue and I think the call to educate people about the New Apostolic Reformation is a wise one. via: Sola Dei Gloria
Full Statement from the Delaware House Democratic Caucus

To be clear, in no way does a tribute represent nor should it be interpreted as an endorsement by the Delaware House of Representatives. The House does not vote on tributes. They are requested and sponsored by a specific Representative or Representatives.

Unfortunately, Dr. Wagner seemingly has mischaracterized the intent of this tribute to be an endorsement by the Delaware House of Representatives. We want to be absolutely clear that the House of Representatives does not endorse Dr. Wagner or his organization.

Fred Whaples,  a church planter in Concord North Carolina, attended Prairie Bible Institute. (1990/1992)  He has issued a warning of intent to sue against Linda Fossen, a spokesperson for the Facebook group We were Prairie bible school kids, where people who allege abuse while at Prairie Bible Institute have gathered.
Whaples bills himself as the lead servant at The Village Church; he also runs a counselling service offering marriage counselling, life coaching, addictions, crisis counselling, family counselling and personal improvement services. The Village Church is affiliated with Church of God, Anderson.

The Facebook group We were Prairie Bible School Kids went private in December after significant verbal assaults by some PBI alumni. The Facebook group was public prior to world wide media attention in November when PBI President Mark Maxwell issued  an announcement that he had taken presented allegations of abuse by individuals connected with Prairie Bible Institute to the RCMP. (pages from the Facebook group We were Prairie Bible School Kids were taken by PBI admin to Three Hills RCMP). Whaples had commented at the abuse survivor Facebook group prior to the group going private, and if I remember correctly he was kicked off for being belligerent and argumentative. This is Whaples intent  letter to Linda Fossen and the survivors group, dated January 25th:

Here is a breakdown of Florida defamation law from the Citizen Media Law Project.

Whaples spearheaded an online alumni fund-raiser for PBI over Christmas, raising over 4 thousand dollars.

It is believed that Whaples is one of the Survivor Fund Project team members who formed to be listeners to PBI abuse survivors, and there is speculation the money he raised is funding the Survivor Fund Project.  I have asked Survivor Fund Project spokesperson Jim Crites if Whaples is one of the approximately 20 member alumni Survivor Fund Project, and I will update or correct the above accordingly when I receive a response. (see update below)

It is also not known if Whaples has notified PBI administration of his intentions, I’ve inquired and if I get a response, I’ll post it.

This is potentially a set back. Following the December alumni letter from PBI President Mark Maxwell outlining the steps PBI was taking, there has been some behind the scenes forward movement between what has been strained communication between PBI admin, survivors and supporters. While PBI is not responsible for the behavior of oppositional alumni, (there are about 16 thousand alumni) PBI has not publicly asked the few who have been publicly upset with the abuse survivors who have ended their silence; to temper their hostility and show some patience and charity.
There were about 160 members of the Facebook group We were Prairie Bible School Kids before the group went private in December; an offshoot public FB page for Prairie Bible Institute Abuse Survivors is available.

Update: *Jim Crites (Survivor Fund Project):  Fred Whaples is not a member of the Survivor fund project / healing team.  His rundraising project for PBI at Christmas was his own initiative and was completely unrelated to the Survivor Fund.  There was no coordination between the two, in case anyone wonders!

Update: I asked Mark Maxwell if Fred Whaples had notified PBI of his intent to sue and if PBI had a statement. Maxwell says, “this has nothing to do with Prairie, so PBI has no statement to make.”
Ruth Maxwell (a relative of PBI President Mark Maxwell) speaking at The Village Church, North Carolina January 2012. Fred Whaples is the pastor. Ms. Maxwell starts speaking 24 minutes in.

1 1 12 Ruth Maxwell.. Missionary Tales from Fred Whaples on Vimeo.

Update:  03/02/12 Linda Fossen responds to the Whaples letter of intent.

Rick just put a post up on Todd Bentley’s latest begging – Australia banned me. Please send money.  Bentley isn’t a pastor so he has to send out emails to supporters and pass the plate at his sideshow meetings. (not that pastors don’t:^)

via: Tall Skinny Kiwi

Winston Blackmore may have finally met his match: the taxwomen.

It’s money – not polygamy, not a constitutional challenge to religious freedom and not criminal charges – that’s landed Canada’s best known polygamist in federal tax court testifying under oath and facing a pair of formidable, demanding and, at times, impatient women, Judge Diane Campbell and Justice Department lawyer Lynn Burch.

And it’s so much money that it’s possible the government could bankrupt Blackmore and financially ruin two of his brothers (Kevin and Guy) as well as the companies that the three of them operate.

The government claims he underestimated his income by $1.5 million over five years ending in 2006. Before his appeal, Blackmore and his company had been assessed back taxes, penalties and interest payments amounting to $4.3 million. If he loses the appeal, it’s not clear how much more might be added in penalties, interest and court costs.

Blackmore claims his group of about 500 fundamentalist Mormons in Bountiful fit the definition of “religious congregation” under the Income Tax Act.

The government says, at best, it’s a breakaway sect of a breakaway sect (the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). At worst, it’s one big, polygamous family looking for a tax break.

Although he’s a preacher, Blackmore was often scarcely audible, especially when the buskers started up outside The Bay across the street from the court.

“Speak up,” Campbell frequently urged him. She couldn’t hear him. Journalists couldn’t hear him. But Blackmore probably wants that.

Tight, edgy writing on the latest Winston Blackmore trial by award-winning writer Daphne Bramham at the Vancouver Sun.

To learn more about the FLDS in Canada, follow along at the Stop Polygamy In Canada blog.

Daphne Bramham: The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada’s Polygamous Mormon Sect Vintage Canada 2009

via: Religion News Blog

Boy it costs a lot to be an evangelist. Just ask Todd Bentley.

Earlier today, he sent an “urgent” e-mail asking his friends for financial support.

In February, he plans to go to California and Haiti. What’s central in Todd’s mind is an upcoming trip to Australia, hopefully in June.
We may remember that last week, he was refused entry into Australia, but if at first…

He, or one of his assistants, writes:

….As most of you know, at this time our recent tour to Australia has been Postponed due to a visa application process. We have a great and continued opportunity in Australia. We are thankful for all the cooperating churches and leaders in Australia who are praying for our ministry. We hope to return to Australia as planned this June. We do anticipate a mighty outpouring!…

It would seem that my guess was right. Namely, that Australian immigration has ostensibly decided that he will be “working” on his trip to Australia and needs to apply for permission to work as a preacher temporarily in their country.

The writer adds this a bit further on:

….Our last minute delay in our planned tour to Australia was a huge disappointment of course. It was also a huge financial set back for our ministry. Our immediate expenses just in Airfare and travel was over 10,000. We also lost out on the opportunity to fundraise for our Haiti mission and Ministry. God immediately came through with a huge financial miracle and we are grateful to the Lord for his faithfulness. However we still are in need of some continued support for our Haiti Mission and ministry. The need is still
$ 20,000…...

Some observations.

If Todd had been wise, he would have made inquiries about visas when the idea of going to Australia popped into his mind, thus saving the expenses that he incurred.

I’m not fortunate enough to be able to fly anywhere, but it seems to me that $10,000 is a little high for a loss. Quantas is quoting, at this moment, roundtrip airfares of $938 from Canada to Australia. Perhaps it would even be cheaper from the US. Unless he is taking a team of 10-15 people with him, well, I don’t know.

And surely the airline wouldn’t bill him the full cost of flights he didn’t take. Also, the hotels would surely not bill him the full cost of rooms he never slept in. It is summer down under…

It’s interesting how he phrases the need too. Presumably, he had $10,000 in pocket to possibly cover his stated losses. But I wonder about his priorities. Why is Australia first to be cleared up. Well, as Haiti is a “needier” place, a mission there is easier to ask for money for. Australians seem to have a less urgent need than Haitians do, so it is easier to raise money to help the Haitians.

But the Australians came first in his thinking, when he could have taken that $10,000 and written “Hey we only need $10.000 to go to Haiti as we already have half the amount we need.”

It’s urgent, as there’s only three weeks before Todd plans to go to Haiti.

Why think this way? Well delaying the trip means that this happened: “We also lost out on the opportunity to fundraise for our Haiti mission and [sic] Ministry.”

Or rather, perhaps: Rats, I didn’t get an opportunity to ask Australians for their money? Waaaahhh!

Sad.