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| Mercy Ministries Shut Down! |
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| Written by B.Tolputt |
| Thursday, 05 November 2009 11:54 |
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As you probably have noticed, my article contributions have dropped of late. Amongst the minor "fire-fighting" efforts I took on as moderator, my work load recently increased which has reduced my "free time" somewhat. Along with the successful purchase, move, and fixing up of my new home. However, sometimes a story comes up I just have to comment on. It would appear that "bad publicity" is shutting down the Aussie branch of Mercy Ministries... and personally I'm cheering. Now, I will acknowledge that there has been some good come from the organisation in Australia. Some young women have been helped through troubling times and have, in some cases, had their afflictions cured or at least alleviated to a large extent. That said, there have been some very troubling stories coming from the Aussie branch of this Christian charity (and yes, the Christian part is important, see after fold for why). The reason the Christian emphasis is important is because it would appear to be the basis of the improper treatment of some seeking support from them. Many have claimed that, instead of seeing medical / psychological professionals as they were told would oocur, they were put into the care of Bible Studies students. These students would help cure afflictions such as anorexia, help people cope with pregnancy, and somehow reduce suicidal impulses through exorcisms and intense prayer sessions. Now, recall the people seeking aid from Mercy Ministries are those at a very low point in their lives (some on the brink of suicide). They are suffering from dietary disorders, bearing a (possibly unwanted) child, or otherwise so desperate for help they have turned to an organisation that will take their CentreLink payments from them and only let them out on weekends. In any other religious organisation (say, Scientology), these would be the signs indicating a dangerous cult. Think that through, the organisation is locking vulnerable young women up, taking away their money (& hence means of supporting themselves), and subjecting them to what amounts to brainwashing (sorry, but exorcisms & hours long prayer sessions are not standard worship for most people). All under the pretence that said vulnerable young women will be seeing medical / psychological professionals. In some cases, without reason, explanation, or warning these vulnerable young women were kicked out... with no follow-up or advice on how to proceed. I personally couldn't think of a better means of getting them to commit suicide! When confronted with these claims, the director of Mercy Ministries Australia denied the claims outright... then had to later retract his statements to the media (i.e. those refuting the claims) and apologised for making them (though, I note, not for the incidents themselves). I take that as proof positive the incidents did occur. And all that is beside the morally repugnant claims by Mercy Ministries that they can "cure gay". Hits: 255 Trackback(0)
Comments (14)
 
Even though most people regard Hillsong as a Christian organisation I really have trouble labeling it as such.
It's run more like a corporation than what I'd regard as a Christian organisation. Compared to the Salvos ( and I find it difficult/insulting to put the Salvos in the same sentence) the people heading up Hillsong are scum profiting from the vulnerabilities of others. So good riddance............and F*** Off! 2
Thu 05 Nov 2009 13:30:58 EST
Sadly organisations such as this are able to opportunistically fill the void due to the lack of care and professionalism by mainstream medicine. A friend and I were talking about this only recently - she had been to her GP on 4 occasions and on each occasion she was fobbed off. At each appointment her GP played with the computer, took other phone calls and had no eye contact with her.
A friend's daughter passed a number of years ago from anorexia, the GPs recommendation was to 'eat more'. So yes indeed these are vulnerable people who have no doubt been fobbed off on a number of occasions and so these organisations offer 'hope' and are therefore able to exploit these people. 3
Thu 05 Nov 2009 13:48:54 EST
Walrus, hubby's t'other side of the family are Salvos and so I can't argue with that one.
4
Thu 05 Nov 2009 14:06:51 EST
Its a sad commentary on the state of our mental health system when people like Hillsong/Mercy Ministries can get into the act.
Exorcisms? If you didn't have a psychosis when you get there, you'll sure have one when you leave. 5
Thu 05 Nov 2009 14:07:03 EST
Off topic..well sorta on topic given that Ben mentioned moving in. Are the palm trees still there? Was talking to a plant nursery lady this morning and she said that Cocos palms have now been relegated to environmental weed status in NSW due to fruit bats.
6
Thu 05 Nov 2009 14:44:02 EST
 Compared to the Salvos... For me, due to the great people in the Salvos, I cannot consider them as a sect of Christianity, but only as a charity associated with a sect of Christianity. The reason for this is that every member of the Salvation Army I have personally met (and I do mean every one of them) has been a helpful person with a non-judgemental spirit. I've seen them help gay men, drug addicts, and (what I would think of as) general scum with as much heart, vigour, and charity as they did the Christian family fallen down on their luck. However, they are part of the Methodist sect of Christianity and that same sect includes bigots such as Reverend Fred Nile. I can support the Salvos, but I cannot support a religion (or sect thereof) that condones and promotes the values that man does. Edit: I have been told that they are not strictly Methodist, though take most of their teachings from said background. My humblest apologies to those offended! If you didn't have a psychosis when you get there, you'll sure have one when you leave. Actually, that is exactly what has happened in some cases. Part of the reason for their bad publicity. 7
Thu 05 Nov 2009 14:48:52 EST
Actually Min, the palm trees are coming down very shortly. I've got family coming up with the necessary equipment in a week's time (brother is an arborist) and we're going to spend the morning taking the bloody trees down then the afternoon in a family BBQ.
8
Thu 05 Nov 2009 15:01:22 EST
Ben, how wonderful to have someone useful in the family, all that I have are scientists and metal tradies. Although hubby became useful once he worked out that cutting metal curtain rods was the same as cutting tube...took him a while to work it out tho'.
9
Thu 05 Nov 2009 15:08:09 EST
Ben @ 7 my late father was a Baptist and he would have punched the Rev Nile's lights out as quick as look at him (if my dad had been a person who resorted to violence, which he wasn't).
10
Thu 05 Nov 2009 15:27:53 EST
"we're going to spend the morning taking the bloody trees down then the afternoon in a family BBQ"
Ooooh, a gardening party. The first one I held some guests came all dressed up expecting something you'd expect at Buck Palace - didn't read their invites properly and missed the bit that said BYO shovel, wheelbarrow etc. Glad to see Mercy Ministries bit the dust. I boycotted Gloria Jeans because they had their materials and a donation tin in their stores. 11
Thu 05 Nov 2009 16:58:34 EST
Hi Huh, nice to see you again..even just because it gives everyone the opportunity to say Hi Huh.
I should imagine that some read 'garden party' rather than 'gardening party'  I missed that bit about religion..C of E, hubby's family Catholic one side and Salvos the other side, friends include Jewish, Muslims, Sanyassin and other Christian sects such as Seventh Day Adventurers (hubby's label). But try to coerce my children into any of the above, then you will find yourself on the other side of the wacking stick! 12
Thu 05 Nov 2009 17:22:36 EST
Glad to see Mercy Ministries bit the dust. I boycotted Gloria Jeans because they had their materials and a donation tin in their stores. That would be because the Mercy Ministries Australia director also happened to be co-founder of Gloria Jeans. Their relationship isn't just close, it's tied at the highest level! 13
Thu 05 Nov 2009 18:08:34 EST
Isn't Danny Whatsisname a pastor of mercy ministries? No, of course he's the one from Hellfire Ministries, isn't he? Tarred with the same brush. Tangled up with Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker and that appalling creature who pickets funerals of gay people, no doubt. Holy Rollers at their worst.
14
Sat 07 Nov 2009 00:00:21 EST
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