Heartbroken. Angry. Again.
Posted by TulipGirl | Under Christianity and the Church, Pearls / TTUAC / NGJ Sunday Feb 14, 2010I don’t even know what to say.
Four years ago this month, Sean Paddock died at the hands of his adoptive family. Well intentioned or not, their abusive parenting influenced by Michael and Debi Pearl led to his death.
And now. Again.
Lydia Schatz, seven years old, died February 6, 2010. Her sister, Zariah Schatz is eleven and in critical condition with kidney failure and other injuries. Again, adopted. Again, parents abused them influenced by Michael and Debi Pearl.
I will not make excuses for Micheal and Debi Pearl or Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz. I am even more angry that these were Christian parents who homeschooled. Well intentioned or not, the abusive parenting influenced by Michael and Debi Pearl led to another child’s death. How many more children are being abused behind closed doors and condoned by the Church in the name of “no greater joy” and “first time obedience”? When will the Pearls take full responsibility for the harm of their teachings? When will Christian parents see through the lies cloaked in Scripture?
I hate that I even have to write about this. I hate it. I hate that people profess to follow a Christ who welcomed children are abusing children in His name.
Millstones. Lord, have mercy on us all.
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Related to Michael and Debi Pearl:
On Perfectionism and Parenting
More on Michael and Debi Pearl
On the Pearls and Parenting, Repeat
What’s the Fuss About Michael and Debi Pearl?
From Salon.Com: More on Michael and Debi Pearl
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Related to Sean Paddock:
Other’s Thoughts on Lynn Paddock
From Salon.Com: More on Michael and Debi Pearl
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Related Topics:
On Perfectionism and Parenting
Btw, the comment system has been wonky lately. . . my tech-geek friend is still working on it.
Feel free to email me at tulipgrrl AT gmail DOT com or comment on facebook.
Mourning,
TG
Good summary:
http://roscommonacres.com/2010/02/homeschool-family-charged-with-murder-torture-child-abuse/
Want to understand more of the context?
http://www.equip.org/PDF/DF230.pdf
Another related post:
http://mommypress.com/rebecca/this-made-me-cry-today.htm
A must read:
http://sortacrunchy.typepad.com/sortacrunchy/2010/02/when-extremists-are-taken-to-the-extreme.html
Very thorough yet succinct article:
http://katiekind.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/when-parenting-kills-what-can-we-do/
[...] tragedy of Lydia Schatz’s death, her sister’s hospitalization and her other siblings’ abuse has me heartsick. While we [...]
[...] Mike and Debi Pearl The highly favored book To Train Up A Child by Michael and Debi Pearl, is credited by both the Schatz family and the Paddock family as their go-to book on child [...]
Here is my blog contribution to the cause…
http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/02/child-discipline-or-child-abuse.html
Thanks, Virginia!
News story explicitly states the DA is looking into the connection between Lydia Schatz’s death and Michael and Debi Pearl:
http://www.paradisepost.com/news/ci_14427370
The story is now spreading to a larger audience, and unfortunately the name of Christ is being dragged through the mud as well.
http://cbs13.com/video/?id=68511
I will not be writing about this myself just yet, because I am too close to the situation. I intend to wait at least until after the funeral, and after the results of the autopsy are released.
When I do write, I will likely have two separate foci, because I have a very real obligation as a Christian to love not only the innocent, but the guilty.
Very thoughtful:
http://mustfollow.blogspot.com/2010/02/corporal-punishment-and-two-kingdoms.html
[...] I first heard about the Schatz family’s tragedy a week ago Sunday. My immediate response was heartbroken, angry, “Not again. . .” disbelief. [...]
[...] A thoughtful critique from Tulipgirl, written in 2006 but still quite relevant, and with links to useful resources. Her reaction to the latest tragedy is here. [...]
[...] Heartbroken. Angry. Again. [...]
[...] my friend TulipGirl sticks her neck out there in a gracious way, and that gives me [...]
[...] . . now another little child has suffered and died at the hand of her parents. Lydia Schatz, just seven years old, died a few weeks ago. Again, Michael and Debi Pearl and their book “To [...]
Yes, your closing cry is just what God would have us be on behalf of these wounded children and those who have wounded them. God is allowing the hidden darknesses in the hearts of His people to come to the light. And you’d be absolutely aghast to know that this sin of child abuse and wife abuse is not only rampant in homeschooling families who profess to follow the Bible but have twisted hearts and minds because they have rejected the word of the Lord (Hos. 4:6) — but take a gander at the unclothing of this sin in the chosen people, the firstborn of God, the Jewish nation. Just do your own research by googling “Jewish child abuse.” The links will astound you. But we must be vessels of mercy who pray and intercede with all our hearts for all nations — first and foremost to have any hidden darkness that lurks in our own hearts — such as pointing the finger and hating the brethren. I have just been through years of wandering because I had “mentally” forgiven those who hurt friends, brethren. But I had not forgiven them from the heart. And eventually, I began to sense that all my worship and service lacked the presence of the Holy Spirit — I had grieved God by hating my brother or sister. And I didn’t even see it as the hatred it was in his sight. If we have hatred in our hearts for others members of the body of Christ, God calls that the sin of murder. God, help each of us see our own hearts and repent personally of our pride and self-righteousness, of our lack of love and delight for each of your needy people. For if we’ve done it unto the least of these, your brethren, we’ve done it unto you.
Hi, I’m wondering if you did your full research on the Pearls or just lashing out at them cause at one point they might’ve said or wrote something that you were convicted of? They aren’t perfect, but I doubt that these deaths are their fault. Sounds like the parents were abusive from the beinging, they might’ve used first time obediance as an excuse to try &* put God in their abuse. I saw you have a link to the EZZO’S , they to speak about 1st time obedience. So is this their fault too?? Or do you just prefere it coming from them then some Hillbillys??
[...] has been one month since Lydia Schatz died while being “disciplined by her parents who were influenced by Michael and Debi [...]
[...] Heartbroken. Angry. Again. By TulipGirl [...]
[...] Heartbroken. Angry. Again. By TulipGirl [...]
Wow, Dina. I sure hope your response wasn’t meant to show the love of Christ. Because it doesn’t.
It is okay for someone to disagree with you…or even the Pearls. It’s okay. How is it that we as Christians have come to a place of worshiping an individual or group of people OVER Christ?
Perhaps she HAS done research and doesn’t agree with their philosophies. That’s okay. There ARE people who disagree with the Pearls who weren’t just “convicted” by something they said. How short-sighted and small-minded. Not to mention unChristlike.
Really.
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