Saturday, February 28, 2009

REFORM AT VICTORY - new book



I've been waiting for a book about Victory Christian Academy, the girl's home that was shut down in California but set up shop again in Florida. Loyal readers of Christian School Confidential will remember that I videotaped a former survivor of VCA in California back in the early 90's. This lead to the home getting shut down. Unfortunately, the proprietor, Mike Palmer, simply left California and set up shop in Florida.

The person I interviewed claimed to be writing a book, but to no avail.

I tried during the entire saga involving Bob Gray to contact victims from Victory. Palmer was an admirer of Bob Gray. They both lived in the same theological neighborhood. Never heard back from anyone until after Gray died.

The webmaster of a well known site devoted to Baptist scandals did not even want to mention Victory because this ministry wasn't well known.

So, imagine my surprise when I find out there is a book about Victory! I'll get a copy, read it and get back to you.

Click here to order book.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

the sordid relationship between judges and private youth care facilities

Pa. judges accused of jailing kids for cash.

The above article is interesting because I have heard similar allegations regarding the state of Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and the homes founded by the late Lester Roloff.

Judges have sent youth to Roloff homes because they were private, bible based, etc. However, I have heard accusations that Texas judges might also have accepted kickbacks for sending kids to private Christian girls and boy's homes. Remember, some of these homes have charged anywhere between $1300 and $1800 per child. The outsourcing to 'private industry' means tax payer's dollars are at stake. Haven't read one single article or heard of a case that made the light of day about this until now.

The facilities mentioned in the above article aren't 'Christian homes', per se, but the concept is still there. In one case, a girl wrote a myspace page criticizing her principal, and the judge sent her to a private facility for THREE MONTHS!

Get that? Three months for having an opinion that she shared on the web?

There are girls, and boys, who have been abused, beaten, and persecuted in Christian homes for offenses no harsher than having the wrong record album or CD in their possession. They cry, "We didn't do anything---honest!"

Okay, adults out there? How many times have you heard that plea regarding other things and rolled your eyes?

In the eyes of the average fundamentalist moral authority, most teens are guilty until proven innocent.

And you wonder why youth is in silent rebellion? You wonder why they're rejecting you? You wonder why Wiccan and Atheism are suddenly becoming en vogue?

Consider the sordid relationship between judges and private youth facilities.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

A dubious anniversary remembered.

It was a year ago today when I appeared at Ragland's restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, to host a public awareness meeting concerning the clergy abuse of children. That event was the lead story on WTLV-12's 11:00 news on 2/10.

The only thing I regret is holding that creme soda in front of the television camera.



I'm not going to reflect on that moment, but I will take advantage of this dubious anniversary to bring back "DON'T GO IN THE CHURCH!". You can see the internet banners for both 'DON'T GO IN THE CHURCH' and my other movie, BIBLE MADNESS on the news report.

"DON'T GO IN THE CHURCH!" was removed from YouTube a few months ago. It's returning so I might announce my intentions to remake "DON'T GO IN THE CHURCH!" into a short subject to be screened on college campuses.



It will not be called 'Don't Go In The Church!', as people keep misunderstanding the title of this YouTube.

The title was meant to be a parody of the 'DON'T' movies from 70's drive-in flicks. I got the idea while watching GRINDHOUSE.

The new title will be 'Most Say Nothing'.

You can read updates about that movie by visiting: mostsaynothing.com.