“Just like Scientology, Except CHRISTIAN(TM)!”

You know what broke Scientology’s cultivated essence of fear?
South Park.
Where’s the Parker & Stone for Deep Throat Driscoll?

When a church can be described as “Just Like Scientology, Except CHRISTIAN(TM)!” that is NOT a good sign.

So what kind of a message does this say? It says, “if you have something to report, even a safety concern with our staff know you could be punished for speaking up. The penalty? Banned from the church along with everyone else who isn’t loyal. Disloyalty is saying or doing something that doesn’t put the church in the best possible light. This is unbelievable to me…..that this couple was ostracised because they wanted to report a potential danger to one or more of the Trinity kids. This is why warning signs are not reported because of what might happen to the reporter. The message of Trinity is very clear…..what you have to report, even about the kids is not wanted if it invoves staff. Sadly most of the parents there will ignore what happened because they love Mark and want to continue hearing his messages. As for the couple booted out of the church. They probably have been given an attorney letter to keep quiet or get sued. Thankfully Chad went to the Scottsdale PD and reported the incident anyway. He shouldn’t have though. It should have been reported by one of the Trinity pastors immediately.

In other words, it’s a consumerist view of religion. You pay your tithes and in return you are entertained and/or edified by the preaching, and that’s the extent of it–it’s a business relationship in which they produce goods and you consume them. You’re not a member of an organization (my understanding is that Trinity actually does not have members). You’re certainly not part of a community. You’re not part of the Bride of Christ or anything mystical like that. You’re a *customer.*

This means, of course, that if the leadership is abusive it’s not your problem. We hear the same argument about Amazon. “I’m just buying from them. It’s not my fault they treat their workers badly. The product is good and that’s what I care about.”

It’s no wonder that this model of religion leads nowhere good. And it’s kind of shocking to see Christianity fall into it.

Neither of those men are alive and harming people the way Driscoll is. And in terms of the good done, Driscoll doesn’t compare to either of them.

Why do you keep trying to defend a dangerous, conman like Driscoll?

I was just thinking, maybe you can write some articles about the dark side of Martin Luther and Martin Luther King when you get tired of writing about Driscoll.

“But you guys keep trying to incriminate a congregation of innocent people for whatever reason.”

You are not “innocent.” So why do you keep assuming the rest of the congregation is?

“How do you enable if you have no idea there is a problem?”

By giving donations that allow Driscoll to continue harming people. By continuing to support Driscoll even after being made aware of what he has done and is continuing to do (like what you are doing).

I’ll ask again, since you have yet to answer:

How many people in the church have you told about Driscoll’s behaviour when he is NOT behind the pulpit?

It would never cross your mind, yet here we have Driscoll. Clearly you should reconsider. What would you do if your roof was leaking and you needed someone to come look at it? How would you go about choosing a roofing contractor? I know how would (and did) do it. I asked friends and neighbors if they had used a roofer, who they had used, and if they were happy with the results. I read online reviews. I looked at which established outfits, here for the long haul rather than a quick buck. I have been entirely happy with the results. I find very weird the idea that someone would put less thought into choosing a church than choosing a contractor.

I’m sorry but that doesn’t make sense. If your friend says, Hey I know a roofing guy and he’s good, you wouldn’t do all that. You would hire him. Most people I have mentioned Driscoll’s name to have never heard of him, outside of the church obviously. And those who were invited by a friend who said come visit, it’s good, like me, went and heard solid Bible teaching. That is the main thing most Jesus followers are looking for when they visit and evaluate a church. But you guys keep trying to incriminate a congregation of innocent people for whatever reason.