The suspension of rational thought

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[Digital Lynch Mob]

So this is what you have to believe if you want to support Suzanne's claims of sexual abuse.

1. Mark Darling, a man with a 35 year track record of running for God, sexually abused her 20 years ago. The story of his life and legacy militate against this in such a compelling way that you have to simply ignore all that. His family is a shining success, so ignore that. His children are wonderful well balance Christ followers, so ignore that. And his wife loves him and, by all accounts, they have a great marriage, so ignore that too. So basically ignore everything you know about his character and life.

2. Not only did he abuse her, but he is a serial abuser. Oddly, no other "victims" have come forward to make any such claims with the exception of "Victim C and Victim A" both of who are unnamed, and their stories were only communicated by Suzanne on social media. Even if you believed the stories, none of the accusations constitute sexual abuse. It sounds more like a Pastor loving his flock with kindness and support. Note none of them (not even Suzanne) accuse him of ever touching them, but I digress.

3. Then, and here's where it gets even better, three other Sr. Pastors, faithful men who have dedicated their life to serving God's people, all learned about this "abuse" and decided to cover it up. What was their motive you ask? Who knows, but Mark Bowen (sneaky man that he is) Brent Knox (so dreadful) and Doug Patterson (dastardly Doug) conspired to hatch a plan that would cover these terrible transgressions up for good. They tried to bribe Suzanne for her silence, but being the pillar of purity that she is, she refused. Oddly enough though she then did disappear from the scene for 18 years and never to bring it up agai...(oh, I almost said "again," but that's would have been wrong - she never brought it up at all in the past).

4. For reasons unknown Suzanne did not mention sexual abuse in her letter to Mark, to her counselor, or to her closest friends in the Plymouth church at the time (I know them and they told me sexual abuse was never mentioned). But...conveniently the #metoo movement came along 18 years later and well, hey she was abused too. She wasn't too specific at first on social media about what this abuse was, but then it crystallized into a story of sexual abuse. A story mind you she never told 18 years ago. But as one of her supporters on this forum said, "often it takes many years to feel comfortable sharing their experience." So boom 18 years later she feels comfortable sharing her experience.

5. And then a beautiful and godly woman by the name of Kathy Darling was complicit in the whole thing. You see she knew about Mark's activities and approved of them. Not only did she approve of them, she participated in, and was party to, the abuse. She even - get this - made Suzanne listen to them having sex (downstairs which was not even where their bedroom was so explain that to me - but I digress again). So this Godly wife and woman of God helped in the abuse. Yep, you heard that right. Come on people. Use some discernment skills!

6. Suzanne's husband knew that his wife had been groomed and serially sexually abused for years, but did nothing to stop it.

If you believe this I feel sorry for you, and I have some prime swamp land I'd like to sell you.

[G_Prince]

So this is what you have to believe if you want to support Suzanne's claims of sexual abuse.

1. Mark Darling, a man with a 35 year track record of running for God, sexually abused her 20 years ago. The story of his life and legacy militate against this in such a compelling way that you have to simply ignore all that. His family is a shining success, so ignore that. His children are wonderful well balance Christ followers, so ignore that. And his wife loves him and, by all accounts, they have a great marriage, so ignore that too. So basically ignore everything you know about his character and life.

2. Not only did he abuse her, but he is a serial abuser. Oddly, no other "victims" have come forward to make any such claims with the exception of "Victim C and Victim A" both of who are unnamed, and their stories were only communicated by Suzanne on social media. Even if you believed the stories, none of the accusations constitute sexual abuse. It sounds more like a Pastor loving his flock with kindness and support. Note none of them (not even Suzanne) accuse him of ever touching them, but I digress.

3. Then, and here's where it gets even better, three other Sr. Pastors, faithful men who have dedicated their life to serving God's people, all learned about this "abuse" and decided to cover it up. What was their motive you ask? Who knows, but Mark Bowen (sneaky man that he is) Brent Knox (so dreadful) and Doug Patterson (dastardly Doug) conspired to hatch a plan that would cover these terrible transgressions up for good. They tried to bribe Suzanne for her silence, but being the pillar of purity that she is, she refused. Oddly enough though she then did disappear from the scene for 18 years and never to bring it up agai...(oh, I almost said "again," but that's would have been wrong - she never brought it up at all in the past).

4. For reasons unknown Suzanne did not mention sexual abuse in her letter to Mark, to her counselor, or to her closest friends in the Plymouth church at the time (I know them and they told me sexual abuse was never mentioned). But...conveniently the #metoo movement came along 18 years later and well, hey she was abused too. She wasn't too specific at first on social media about what this abuse was, but then it crystallized into a story of sexual abuse. A story mind you she never told 18 years ago. But as one of her supporters on this forum said, "often it takes many years to feel comfortable sharing their experience." So boom 18 years later she feels comfortable sharing her experience.

5. And then a beautiful and godly woman by the name of Kathy Darling was complicit in the whole thing. You see she knew about Mark's activities and approved of them. Not only did she approve of them, she participated in, and was party to, the abuse. She even - get this - made Suzanne listen to them having sex (downstairs which was not even where their bedroom was so explain that to me - but I digress again). So this Godly wife and woman of God helped in the abuse. Yep, you heard that right. Come on people. Use some discernment skills!

6. Suzanne's husband knew that his wife had been groomed and serially sexually abused for years, but did nothing to stop it.

If you believe this I feel sorry for you, and I have some prime swamp land I'd like to sell you.

This is getting downright harassing. Perhaps we are all getting a taste of the internet stalking that you've been experiencing the last year or so, but regurgitating it here is pointless.   

[Digital Lynch Mob]

If you have an issue with my post, why don't you tell where I'm wrong. And I am not a Darling. Just one of the thousands who have had enough of staying silent while a good man's name is dragged through the mud.

[jeromydaviddarling]

This is getting downright harassing. Perhaps we are all getting a taste of the internet stalking that you've been experiencing the last year or so, but regurgitating it here is pointless.   

Oh my gosh, the crickets on this thread is absolutely hysterical

[GodisFaithful]

Maybe some people are getting tired of some people's suspension of rational thought.

Coming out slugging and swinging wildly, on a forum that is designed for people who have left GC but is open for others to speak, might not be giving you much of a hearing.

[jeromydaviddarling]

Maybe some people are getting tired of some people's suspension of rational thought.

Coming out slugging and swinging wildly, on a forum that is designed for people who have left GC but is open for others to speak, might not be giving you much of a hearing.

 designing a forum for people that have left churches to anonymously air their Grievances and one-sided versions of stories is not a Biblical approach on any conceivable level to dealing with issues like these and does not bring anybody healing

[GodisFaithful]

Then maybe you and your Biblical friends should stage a boycott of this site and not post anymore.

[jeromydaviddarling]

Then maybe you and your Biblical friends should stage a boycott of this site and not post anymore.

Again by not addressing any my points you're showing your hand

[GodisFaithful]

No, I am afraid of being punched. And anyway, are we not supposed to stop talking about this and wait for the investigation?

[jeromydaviddarling]

No, I am afraid of being punched. And anyway, are we not supposed to stop talking about this and wait for the investigation?

Oh my gosh punched? If this were happening to a father you loved you'd be doing the same thing and again are exposing your true motives

[GodisFaithful]

Yes punched.  You sound violent to me.

[iamnotafraid]

Yes punched.  You sound violent to me.

I can give you over a thousand names to prove you are wrong about him. You do not need to live in fear. You need to assess your words and motives.

[jeromydaviddarling]

Yes punched.  You sound violent to me.

I'm sure Jesus and Paul and any number of other godly men may have appeared that way at times - you apparently haven't spent enough time in the Word as I'm only trying to model their behavior. My mother and father are both defenseless AND being accused of disgusting things - it shouldn't surprise anyone that I'm defending them with every ounce of my being. I'm sorry to have invaded your safe space in hopes of protecting my parents.

[Peacemaker03]

For anyone reading this, if you don't consider yourself a Christian, this doesn't apply to you, do as you please, and try to live up to whatever standard you'd like to hold yourself to.

Conversely, if you are reading this, and you consider yourself a Christian, if you believe you are a sinner, and have been saved by the everlasting blood of our Lord and Savior, then this is for you.  What are you doing coming here to see how much dirt, vitriol, insinuation, dissension and discord you can throw at the other side.  And before you think, "Yeah, that's what I think about [insert name here], too", I'm talking about PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES.  People on both sides taking shots at the other, people on both sides accusing the other side of being unhinged, or needing professional help.  You are tearing down your brothers and sisters in Christ, and no matter how much "righteous anger" you think you have, I don't think our Lord does anything but weep when his children attack their brothers and sisters, especially when many of those brothers and sisters ON BOTH SIDES are already suffering through tremendous suffering from this and other things the world is throwing at them.

We all have our favorite Bible verse that we like to throw around here to defend our actions.  To all, I ask you to read Galatians 5:16-25.  Ask yourself, is what your posting here come from a spirit of those things listed in verse 20:  rivalries, dissensions, divisions, strife, fits of anger, and the like?  Can we all try to fix our hearts, and perhaps let that overflow into you posts, more of a spirit of those things listed in verse 22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? 

A challenge for you all.  A forty-eight hour cooling off period.  For the next forty-eight hours, meditate on those nine fruits of the spirit.  If you want to post, try to bring those nine fruits into your message.  There can be open and honest conversation without sowing dissension and discord.