Get It Out So You Can Begin To Mend
I know many, many people have been hurt physically,
mentally, and spiritually by Victory Christian School and Open Bible Baptist
Church. I personally was put down often, bullied all through middle school and
high school and nothing was done when presented to the appropriate authorities,
taught a few false facts presented as truth, and was told I would be nothing
better than a “burger-flipper.” The school, if it hired more than just 3
qualified teachers, would have been amazing! The church, if it would have
“stuck with the Book” (as Pastor Riddell always says) instead of opinion, it
would be amazing!!!
There was a lot of bad that has happened over the years, but
there is so much good that has happened also. The institution may have had its
downfalls, but the people (for the most part) were loving people, and to most
of us an extended family. Personally I feel the church should have preached
more on “love” which is not only the Greatest Commandment, but the entire story
of the Bible, instead of “this is wrong, that is wrong” which lead many people
to form a spirit of judgment. We all need to realize none of us are perfect, we
all make mistakes, and none of us are to judge one another, but simply love one
another NO MATTER WHAT.
1)
THIS BLOG IS FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ATTENED VCS AND
OBBC. ANYONE CAN COMMENT!!!
2)
FEEL FREE TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON ANYTHING THAT
HAS HAPPENED TO YOU OVER YOUR TIME AT THESE INSTITUTIONS. ONCE YOU VENT AND GET
IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BEGIN MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR LIFE.
3)
LET OUT ALL THE PAIN AND FRUSTRATION.
4)
PASS THIS ALONG TO OTHER PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW WHO
WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION.
5)
PLEASE KEEP PROFANITY TO A MINIMUM.
6)
YOU MAY USE YOUR REAL NAME OR CHOOSE TO REMAIN
ANONYMOUS.
7)
PLEASE DEAL ONLY IN TRUTH, AND POST ABOUT YOUR
OWN EXPERIENCE NOT ANYONE ELSE’S FOR THAT IS HERESAY.
8)
DO NOT FIGHT, BELITTLE, OR CRITISIZE OTHER
PEOPLE’S POST. (IF YOU CLAIM STUFF HAS HAPPENED TO YOU THAN WHY CAN’T SOMETHING
DIFFERENT HAVE HAPPENED TO ANOTHER PERSON?)
LASTLY BEFORE THE POSTING BEGINS I CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU TO
POST AT LEAST 1 PRO BEFORE YOU LIST YOUR CONS.
I HOPE THIS WILL HELP MANY OF YOU LET GO OF THE PAIN.
LET’S BEGIN!!!
PRO: VCS gave me a great education.
ReplyDeleteCON: My childhood was hijacked by terrorists. My significant other was surprised there was no waterboarding with all the other fear tactics that they were using. With the recent developments I was forced to look back at my childhood and realize how it has affected me as an adult. I constantly operate in a state fear because that's what OBBC/VCS taught. Fear. Not just fear of God, but fear of others and fear of death, because EVERY story I ever heard that was not directly from the bible ended in someone dying and going to hell. To this day
(I'm 26) and I still ask ppl that I care about not to die, and I do not attend funerals because of all the anxiety regarding death.
I completely understand where you are coming from my dear. I too lived in that constant state of fear, but for the most part I have given it up. One cannot live like that, and once you begin to forget about that feeling, a whole new bliss will replace that. Remember we are told not to judge because that is God's job. So next time you feel fear or judged by someone repeat that in your head or say it to the judge's face. Love ya.
DeleteAs a person who attended "christian" schools most of her life, I can honestly say that VCS crushed my spirit in many ways. I consider myself a very free spirited person. I've always enjoyed and excelled in the arts. At VCS the arts are very frowned upon unless it was a certain teachers choir or handbell choir. Since the school had such limited resources, I often found myself feeling lost. I did participate in sports and did fairly well, but exploring my creative passions was more my speed. I also happen to be very opinionated, which is SO frowned upon at VCS/OBBC. I always felt like I never fit in or was good enough. Due to the fact that I wasn't part of the "good kids" I was always looked at by adults as a problem child. I will admit that I did act out now and then, but to put a 5th graded in detention with high schoolers was petrifying! Also having your fourth grade social studies teacher tell you right to your face that you're a bad kid and how stupid you are really scarred me for a long time. Since I also went to OBBC I was around a lot of the same kids ALL THE TIME. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried no one ever accepted me. It didn't help that so many families in the church treated my family differently because we are a biracial family. My mom is African American and my dad is Caucasian. Now I don't really care what people say but there was some serious racism that went on in that church. Like Steve said why didn't the school and church preach more about loving one another and accepting people
ReplyDeletefor who they are? After being at the church for sometime, my mom began teaching 6th grade Sunday school classes. The church has a bus ministry, which brings people who are usually from low income areas to the church. I saw so many times the people from the bus ministry being treated so poorly by regular church members. That always made my heart hurt. I can honestly say that I never felt uplifted in either of those places. There was always a spirit of oppression for anyone who didn't fit the mold of their standards. I've heard of some absolutely ridiculous changes that have happened in recent years and it makes me sad to know that so many people are turned away because of those things.
Anonymous,
DeleteI have a pretty good idea of who you are. I am sorry to read this its so sad. Your mom is such a beautiful woman and your dad is pretty funny. I, myself am and artist and always wished they had more liberal arts at the school. It would have given us "outcasts" a chance to shine like the singers and athletes. People would say I was popular in high school and that would be a lie. Was I friendly and socialable? Yes, and I knew everyone in the entire school, but high school I was at the bottom of the totem pole. I remember some racism going on, mostly during the Weber Era (Error). I hope that this burden will not weigh on you as much as it had now that you did some venting. I pray that one day you will be able to forget about what happened to you and grow into the beautiful person you are supposed to be. You may turn your back on those that hurt you (I don't blame you there.), but please don't ever turn your back on God. I know alot of people in the world blame Him for there misfortune, but if it weren't for Him, I wouldn't be the man I am today.
With Love
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ReplyDeleteAll i have to say is..i predicted the downfall of vcs since middle school...i was misersable there..repressed,depressed, oppressed..every "essed" there is...I have heard and seen things out of teachers and other ppl of higher authority that blew my mind..I couldn't stand all the double standards there...If you were a well known family in the church/school and beloved by all..but did something wrong..it was overlooked...but if not, forget it..the rumors and judgments were outta control...I'm not gonna lie, i feel almost embarrased to say i graduated from VCS, because if these allegations are true then i really don't know what to believe...alot of things got swept under the rug obviously..it's almost like you live a lie..Listen, I had to sit there and in front of alot of ppl in study hall..basically told one of the teachers that her skirts were ass tight and she portrays herself as a hoochi mama...and whats funny is i really didn't get in trouble for it..why..because it was the truth! The sad part, I shouldn't of had to say anything..Vcs sat there and got all bent out of shape over nail polish color and sitting next to the guys in chapel..GET REAL...BECAUSE APPARENTLY VCS HAD BIGGER FISH TO FRY!!! they sat there and would hire a teacher with her panty line visible because her skirt was too tight..but yet you couldn't wear hot pink nail polish?!?! It just irks me, i look back and think..maybe if you had focused less on the stuff that they thought was sooooo sinful that was actually harmless...maybe they would have seen the big picture...and not be in the mess they are in today..idk that's just my thoughts like i said...idk what's the truth and what's real with that place..it's ashame
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure EVERY student was aware of the double standards...the standards were more directed at the girls so it didn't bug me as much as it did you women. I remember one girl got a demerit because her "skirt was too long." Sure at the time it was ridiculous, but now its a distant memory we can laugh at. I am a free spirit, but I have boundaries, and I believe that "structure" came for those crazy rules. Do I follow them today? No, but I do have rules of my own I keep myself in check with. Like seriously how is wearing double seamed pants make me a part of the world? It makes me fashionable. You are right if they would have dealt with the major issues (ie bullying, teaching of false truths as if they were fact, etc.)first then everything else would have fallen into place and our school experiences would have been much better. Just remember one moment in our lifetime doesn't define who we are. We are young and still have so many chances to become who we want to be. I leave you with the advice an old, wise monkey once said "You can either run from the past or learn from it." I chose to learn and not let myself be put in such predicaments like that again. Now go, enjoy what's left of you amazing life, don't let these hurtful things stop you from doing that.
DeleteIt's sad to read these comments especially since I know the ones who wrote them, and I'm pretty sure I know who you are Miss Anonymous. We have all had bad experiences just different ones. I wish I could give you all a hug and tell you its alright, because it will be alright. You may turn your back towards those people, but please never turn your back toward God. I wish you all the best and hope that your venting will help you get over what has happened in the past. If you ever see me around feel free to come up and talk or vent. I'll lend and ear and a shoulder to cry on.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my opinion goes on the "Clee Issue," I really don't have one. I am hurt due to the accusations and I am hurt for the Clees. There has been no proof, yet simply alligations and when the verdict is reached, I will go by that. I do however hope both parties will be able to move on and mend from this with so very little trauma inflicted upon them.
Some of my best years were spent at VCS. Shocking enough, I wish I would have stayed to graduate. Yes, they had their flaws, who doesn't?
ReplyDeleteI never felt it was abuse or anything of that nature, but I, along with other students with my faith, were made uncomfortable when our religion was bashed in class. Not every teacher, but a handful of them knew how we believed. We were singled out for wearing skirts. (Before skirts were mandatory.) And in Bible class, when we tried to bring our points to the table, we were quickly silenced. There were times I felt like an outcast, and was afraid to talk about my beliefs. The select few times I brought them up, I was told I was weird.
Well let me put it out there right now. I am a member of a one God, tounge talking, Holy rolling, praise stomping, glory filled, baptizing in Jesus name kinda church, and I am NOT going to be silenced anymore. :-)
Like I said, I still love the people of VCS. I don't hold ignorance against anyone.