67 Comments

I can't wait to read a polished generic statement designed to deflect from the church and not directly acknowledge the serious issues raised by previous members other than perhaps mild insinuation some of them have troubled pasts.

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If they are aware of what I know then they’ll need to do more than that, and they’ll know it.

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Start reading... https://www.instagram.com/p/CcM6EVnpW0W/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

"A culture of performance" sounds nicer than exploitation.

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Very much a past tense, eh.

I mean it's better than nothing. I have questions in about who these independent people are.

More on all this soon.

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I didn't pick the "that was then, this is now" angle.

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Hmm, yes. There are some nice words in the statement, but the language "students who *felt* overworked, overwhelmed, underappreciated and taken advantage of" suggests the problem may be how the students felt. Using the word *were* instead of *felt* would have shown some acceptance of responsibility.

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I'm glad you are getting some help too. I do often wonder how you fit so much in your head and still find energy for joy in animals and friends and all the nice things.

This is EPIC progress, both providing a channel for so many people to share their stories and for making the church, at a minimum, pay attention.

Fingers crossed and well done!

also, my animal t-shirt has arrived and is in my drawer waiting for a super cool occasion for its first outing 😁

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I am very glad your shirt is about to get an outing.

Usually walk and patting dogs clears my head enough from the stuff in my brain, but not this one. Thanks, Beck.

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go get em, David. standing with all the people whose emails, and thus lives, are represented in this and the previous webworms, your voices are heard!

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My representative would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart, so long as it is about something else, and not to the victims.

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Very curious how seriously they are taking all this. When a giant organisation fails to even acknowledge your email - like, not even a "back to you soon" - I don't think it's a good start.

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"Also, god's will is that we are entering a time of trial, and while these earthly heathenistic forces are of no consequence to us, as god's chosen people, we have to engage with them because they hate us and our way of life, and they dont understand about us being god's chosen people. We have had to employ decent god fearing people to counter this scourge and threat and while they would work for free to spread gods word, because they live in this unsanctified plain and not the kingdom of heaven, they have to charge us money, and we need money to help address this existential threat. Please, send money now. All the money. Not even just the money you have now but all the money you will get in the future. Do you have children you can send up a chimney or down a coal mine to get more money so we can fight this terrible evil??? could your children be sent to bangladesh to sew nikes to earn more money? If so that is gods will and you need to do it now. Also, not related: I ordered that new Bentley like a year ago and I am as surprised as you are that it's just shown up now. praise jeeebus it must be gods will."

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Ooh, wick-ed!! Lolz.

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Well said and spot on

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Good to hear that you're seeking support. Hope you've got plenty of good human interactions. With people who aren't draining you, but trying to build you up. Chase down some good stories... watch Brooklyn 99? That always cheers me up after a dive in the cesspool that can form at the bottom of human potential. Sunshine, human connection, and some good stories help me out a lot.

But then, I've never been under the same pressure as you. Shrinks are good too.

You're doing really important work and I imagine there is lots of additional pressure on you from so many victims. For being seen as someone who can be trusted with people's horrid stories. Thank you for your work. It is a part of making the world better, even if it's not a good experience.

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Thanks, Tim. It's all worthy advice. There are shows I can escape into, and it's a good reminder.

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Beautifully put Tim

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Urgh the utter arrogance to firstly ignore, then to palm off queries like yours to a PR firm is sickening. Of course they’ll answer the Uni questions coz we wouldn’t want to impact that revenue stream eh?

Now I’m wondering if Mother Teresa had a PR firm…? Would God? I don’t think so… These new church leaders/twats are all about revenue and growth and their own wealth.. *vomit*

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Read Christopher Hitchens about Mother Theresa. Spoiler alert: he was not a fan.

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Best thing about the book is the title - The Missionary Position: Mother Theresa in Theory and in Practice.

Btw, when the Church was having hearings on the canonization of Mother Theresa, they invited Hitchens to testify.

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There's also a great podcast called Evil Genius and their Mother Teresa episode is fab!

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I’ll have to check that one out

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Oohh I will do!

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Mōrena David I echo the folk below, pleased to hear you’re taking care of yourself. Silence is poison. Shining light on secrets is the only way to dispel the darkness. Oh fuck! I sound like one of them! Sorry I blame it on having Covid 🤒😷🤦🏻‍♀️😉😄

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Yes! Was starting to get worried it was going to blow over.

I have a close friend who was big into this church when she was in Christchurch but I was overseas so didn't see or know much about it.

She had a breakdown, likely due to the pressures they put on her.

Even more worrying is her new church in the North Island sounds to be anti vax, anti govt. which has put a massive strain on our friendship.

Really tough when you can't have a decent discussion because they get so defensive and use the bible as their authority. Just willfil ignorance.

Thanks for giving voice to the victims.

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When anyone tries to quote the bible as their authority, you can always ask them who wrote what they're quoting. A lot of people who believe everything in the bible (although cherry-picked to high heaven) will say "God said".

There's an obvious answer:

Who said God said?

Getting someone to look at the source of their beliefs can be daunting for them, but vital for their mental health.

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Ugh, I am sorry for your friend and what she went through. And sorry to say she is far from the only one. Ugh.

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David, thank you so much for being the human being to take all of this and for being so honest about how it is affecting you. That takes some courage in itself.

Your words convey a weariness (and deep sadness) I have not detected in your writing before, and well, fuck mate, any amount of this head fuck will rightly fuck you up, so yeah, please remember you are not alone and we have your back. Well I do, I can’t speak for anyone else, but it seems it is so.

I can’t help but send you this vid of a Pallas Cat, which you may have seen before but it's worth watching again to help fill up your tank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg8FMNEt8KY

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Oh my gosh, I have never seen that. 20 seconds in. Stitches. Thank you.

And yeah - part of Webworm is being honest about myself at times. I am glad I can be, here.

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Oh haii little fella 😅

I concur with you about having David's back! Deranged bitches unite 💪

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DBC DBC DBC "Deranged Bitch Crew"

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You've got them on the back foot and the PR company will just dance on the spot. Take care of the victims and please sleep.

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I can only imagine what a deluge of emails like that must feel like, David. I'm glad you're doing something to look after yourself.

The silence doesn't surprise me at all - I went to a pentecostal church for a while as a student, and it deployed several of the tactics you've described. Since leaving and shaking off the cognitive dissonance I've only been to churches for weddings and funerals.

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Kia kaha David, you're doing real good in the world. Glad you are looking after yourself.

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He's... standing in front of a cross made out of beer crates?

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It only counts if he, firstly, drank all the beer (at room temperature) in said crates (one sitting, natch) then staples himself to the crates, as is tradition. Extra bonus points if he then does a sort of Optimus Prime/Godzilla walking round shouting while attached to the crates like low rent wooden mecha armour.

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Go get 'em David - you're doing important work. And remember, we've all got your back. Reach out to your community if it gets too much, because there's genuine caring here. (see below - and all the previous comments from the awesome people you have drawn in with your writing) x

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You are so fucking right. It's been heard loud and clear. Thankyou, Natalie.

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Arohanui David.

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I gladly tithe to the church of webworm 🤭

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Ha! Gosh I hate that word. As long as it's not 10% of your income, that's fine.

I like to think $6.99 a month is less than 10%!

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