I read the article. Sounds like you have been on the receiving end of some classic narcissistic behaviour. There are so many Christian leaders like this it’s unreal. They’re Jekyll and Hyde people. I’m sorry that you, and seemingly others, have had to experience that Rick.
And even if we are super generous and don’t call the initial actions abuse (they were), what Whitaker has engaged in since then—intimidating and bullying people, attempting to exert power over them and manipulate them privately and publicly into silence—surely is. Thank you for standing up and shining the light. Abuse of all kinds thrives in the shadows.
Yep. Plus, what he did to the podcasters by putting all their platforms at risk and all their followers in danger of being traumatized again by yet another abuse scandal, without telling any of them he was being investigated himself, should tell us everything we need to know. There are just too many storylines here that alone are major issues.
That’s the thing about abusive personalities. They lack the empathy needed for self reflection. He could have gained so much respect by being truly repentant and changing his behavior. Instead he’s doubling down and causing even more damage—to others and to himself. It’s counterintuitive both to being a good leader and a good human. But he believes he’s justified. It reeks of Mark Driscoll behavior.
Abuse is abuse no matter who is doing it. Whether it’s someone you admire or someone you don’t admire. Even if they’ve been doing what you feel is good work in the world.
My prayer is for the person who has done the harm to pause, hear the victims experience and then own it. Learn from it. Grow from it. This is what we are called to do as humans.
Rage driving is an act of violence, in my opinion.
Rick, I am a bit confused by your substack. Be assured, however, that with this note comes a prayer for whatever or whomever you are getting pushback from...
I read the article. Sounds like you have been on the receiving end of some classic narcissistic behaviour. There are so many Christian leaders like this it’s unreal. They’re Jekyll and Hyde people. I’m sorry that you, and seemingly others, have had to experience that Rick.
And even if we are super generous and don’t call the initial actions abuse (they were), what Whitaker has engaged in since then—intimidating and bullying people, attempting to exert power over them and manipulate them privately and publicly into silence—surely is. Thank you for standing up and shining the light. Abuse of all kinds thrives in the shadows.
Yep. Plus, what he did to the podcasters by putting all their platforms at risk and all their followers in danger of being traumatized again by yet another abuse scandal, without telling any of them he was being investigated himself, should tell us everything we need to know. There are just too many storylines here that alone are major issues.
That’s the thing about abusive personalities. They lack the empathy needed for self reflection. He could have gained so much respect by being truly repentant and changing his behavior. Instead he’s doubling down and causing even more damage—to others and to himself. It’s counterintuitive both to being a good leader and a good human. But he believes he’s justified. It reeks of Mark Driscoll behavior.
Thanks Rick. I think you summarized it really well. Incredibly discouraging.
Keep on going, Rick.
Thanks for continuing to report on this issue.
Thank you Rick.
Abuse is abuse no matter who is doing it. Whether it’s someone you admire or someone you don’t admire. Even if they’ve been doing what you feel is good work in the world.
My prayer is for the person who has done the harm to pause, hear the victims experience and then own it. Learn from it. Grow from it. This is what we are called to do as humans.
Rage driving is an act of violence, in my opinion.
Rick, I am a bit confused by your substack. Be assured, however, that with this note comes a prayer for whatever or whomever you are getting pushback from...
It makes more sense if you read the article linked in the Substack