*shaking my virtual pom-poms!

I know that when I was growing up, my parents and grandparents would often talk about various self-proclaimed experts like we have been discussing here and use them as examples for the old saying … “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Michael and Debi Pearl seek to influence people.

As well-intentioned as they may be, they need to be aware of the profound negative impact their influence has had in many people’s lives. They get the positive feedback and take it to heart — and they need to give credence to the negative feedback and take that to heart as well, instead of dismissing it.

Because they are blowing up mothers and families with their mishandling of the Bible, even if for other families their teachings are putting on a good pyrotechnic show.

duh …

these self-proclaimed parenting experts is like someone that has watched fireworks as a spectator and has used sparklers in the backyard … then, they decided they want to do a grand pyrotechnic spectacle on their own property … they refuse to listen to the advice and recommendations of others … and, through their lack of experience and ability, blow up the crowd that has come to watch the display

there is no way to discern the inexperienced, self-proclaimed pyrotechnic’s motivation (other than they wanted to set off fireworks and have others pay them to watch the fireworks)

… but we do know the end result of their work … they blew up the crowd that came to watch the display and this IS evil

… this self-proclaimed pyrotechnic expert needs to be held accountable because he/she refused to listen to the recommendations of others (arrogance? pride?) and went ahead with their decision to have a grand pyrotechnic display and caused terrible damage

that’s part of the problem with self-proclaimed experts in fields they have no experience or real expertise in the area they give advice in … they offer dangerous advice … I have worked with pedophiles for many years … they are very, very, very dangerous

the only analogy I can think of is someone that has watched fireworks as a spectator and has used sparklers in the backyard … then, they come along and want to do a grand pyrotechnic spectacle and, through their lack of experience and ability, blow up the crowd that has come to watch the display

They are making money off their books and materials, so no doubt they’re eager to protect their reputation.

I have no idea how much money they make, and they are cetainly entitled to whatever it is they do make. I’m all for free market economies.

But we need to remember that even amongst Christians, when there is a product being SOLD, there is the profit factor to pay attention to.

The bottom line is ALWAYS the bottom line. They want to sell a product.

Jennifer said:Now please ladies, understand what I’m saying. I KNOW there’s rarely a pedophile who won’t act again. I KNOW the chances of finding one who’s not sorry AND won’t act again are..well, impossible. All I’m saying is that I think the Pearls’ MEANING was different than I thought it was. Is there such a thing as a pedo who’s not sorry but won’t act again? Nope. But, as we’ve learned, the Pearls are ignorant of such people’s minds.

Jennifer, I agree with you. I think the Pearl’s offer their advice with the belief that the repentant pedophile will keep his hands to himself. Just as they believe (according to their words) the husband hitting his wife will also keep his hands to himself after being confronted by the police.

The problem with that is that it’s not what actually happens. Men who hit their wives don’t suddenly gain control after seeing the police any more than the pedophile stops molesting after repenting.

Which is why the advice is so dangerous.

The teach an impossible standard (100% consistency and 100% obedience), teach things that are not scriptural (B.F. Skinner operative conditioning as “biblical training”, children whose guilt is removed with the use of the rod, etc.), and then on top of that offer the advice to those in dangerous situations that will keep them in those dangerous situations.

When those things are put together, and sold as “God’s way” and all who object are being “deceived” by the devil and are trying to destroy families, then I have to speak out. I believe that I stand in defense of the Gospel and of Christian liberty, things I believe in fiercely, and will always speak up to defend.

Though, in fairness, even if the Pearl’s did teach that there were other valid ways to parent (which they don’t) I would still have to speak out against what I believe to be the grievous errors in their teaching.