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In Reply to: Same evil, different "church"! posted by OT2 on January 20, 2006 at 11:49:52:
I watched that episode of Zahn's show and thought about the similarities between the experiences described by Paulk's victims and those of Family survivors.
I thought to myself, this is a very old trick that charismatic preachermen have played on pious women for centuries. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance (when Catholicism was the only game in town), it was women (not little boys) who were victimized by priests. The priest would promise salvation, or if the woman objected that it was a sin, promise to offer absolution from the sin. If the woman was charismatic (inclined to mystical prayer), the pastor would give "private" revelations that the "Holy Spirit" was going to "come upon" the woman throught God's servant and invoke the scriptures about the Spirit coming on Jesus' own mother.
Part of the problem has always been that very devout women are inculturated to be submissive, obedient, and not to question authority figures. Frankly, I think contemporary Christianity needs more role models like Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks (and dare I say it?) Joyce Meyer. Honestly, can you imagine any of these women submitting to the con of a charismatic preachermen like Berg and Paulk?
