June 11, 2004, John J.:
"It is easy to see how "Kristin's" story remained hidden during her
involvement with George. The victim still uses very cryptic euphemisms
for the verbal and physical advances George made toward her. "Fondled"
is too kind if he touched her breasts and genitals. Few in his ministry
had the gift of stating the obvious. This is why those who did were so
refreshing.
"The thick tapestry of euphemism and understatement pervaded George's
ministry. When the underlings in good faith revealed their own failings
and struggles, these same confessions were used against them as
leverage, but his own, his family's and his ministry's failings were protected
with the utmost secrecy. The victims played by a different set of rules
than the abusers. Unfortunately George was an effective teacher of his
methods. He dragged those closest to him into the roles of abused
victim, hiders of abuse and finally abuser. This is
spiritual reproduction of another sort altogether.
"It is the abuse of power toward the most vulnerable that is so disturbing. Given the human physical nature, sexual infidelity is not
very surprising, even in Christian ministry. Incorporating entire
seminars ("The Silent Conversation", “School of the Bride III”) for a
worldwide audience into one's sexual fantasies and using these to psychologically
overpower and manipulate the reality of young female followers is much
more diabolical. George's son Dave is reported to have used the pulpit
to cover over his physical abuse and other aberrant behaviors. George
appears to have done the same at a much higher level.
"What will it take to put the final nail in this coffin, so everyone
involved can move on without looking back? How much more evidence could
any thinking person need?"
May 22, 2004, Beth A., one of GG's former secretaries: "Margaret--Wow! I would like to meet this Kristin. Yes, I had the secret letters from George as well, but they were more about the ministry. Still, I felt privileged. He seems to have gotten a bit more over the edge with her than he did with me, but the story is hauntingly familiar. It is such a mirror of what I thought about myself at the time. Interesting to have a 30-year perspective on it. More interesting is that I stayed another 14 years!! Wanna hear the eye opener for me....most disturbing..... Betty treated me the same way after she found out. We read Fenelon's book [Christian Perfection]. I have never seen so clearly how culpable she is....its a charade."
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