"Deborah 13: Servant of God"

[Gary L]

Sorry, but we have to start a new thread.

Deborah is 13, one of 11 children, and has been raised essentially in a vacuum. She has been heavily indoctrinated into Christianity and taught that she is an evil, sinful person in need of redemption. She’s even been turned into a miniature evangelist. Her parents have home-schooled her and her 10 brothers and sisters. They have “protected” her from the outside world and influences that might make her stray from what she’s been taught. But how prepared will she be to live in that outside world when she’s forced to enter it?

A few points of what is said in the film, and what I thought of it.

She's scared of going to heaven and being told when she gets there that she's been bad and has to go to hell where there's gnashing teeth.

She was asked "what if heaven doesn't exist" she said she'll die and go to the grave, and it'll be a waste of her life.

The ending is really upsetting. she's a scared girl. she doesn't know anything. all she knows is what she's been told over the years

In the film she tells people that even a little white lie means that you're going to hell. if you get killed by a car and you never asked for forgiveness before you step out in front of the car, you're going to hell.

She said a few times that it's a scary thought of going to hell for eternity.

Another thing that was said was that life on earth is nothing. it's the eternity afterwards that is important. her father said that he was teaching eternity, when asked what it was he was teaching his children.



http://gaytheistagenda.lavenderliber...ervant-of-god/

[Ramrod]

Child abuse...(if it's true)

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Child abuse...(if it's true)

Child abuse can take four forms, all of which can cause long term damage to a child: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and child sexual abuse. Bullying and domestic violence are also forms of child abuse.

A child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is:

* frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed
* left in unsafe situations or without medical attention
* constantly "put down", insulted, sworn at or humiliated
* seems afraid of parents or carers
* severely bruised or injured
* displays sexual behaviour which doesn't seem appropriate for their age
* growing up in a home where there is domestic violence
* living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse

Remember, this list does not cover every child abuse possibility. You may have seen other things in the child's behaviour or circumstances that worry you.

Abuse is always wrong and it is never the young person's fault.

Another quote from the page itself.

While I hesitate to use terms like “child abuse” it fits in this situation. This child’s mind has been warped, and is being warped more every day. She is not being given what she needs to effectively cope in the world, nor is she being afforded the opportunity to make choices for herself. She is being presented one choice and being made to think it is the only legitimate choice. That is what makes it abuse and a travesty. Sadly she is far from the only victim in her family, or the world.

And a blog.
http://skepticat.wordpress.com/2009/...ervant-of-god/

[DRZ400]

I've just watched it on the BBC iplayer and it's quite apparent, even though Matthew is trying to integrate in to modern society, neither he, or any of his family will due to their strict religious upbringing.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by DRZ400

I've just watched it on the BBC iplayer and it's quite apparent, even though Matthew is trying to integrate in to modern society, neither he, or any of his family will due to their strict religious upbringing.

The oldest is a 22 yr old woman? it would be interesting to see her. I wonder if she's broke free so to speak?

[TheDaddy]

I wonder what makes the parents think 'God' wants her to serve him in this way? Seems to me if anyone is going to hell, it'll be the parents.

[rogerdraig]

hmm reporter seems to think she should be with people her own age having sex( or it could be implied that way )

i may not agree with thier interpretation of the bible but i hardly think they can be said to be totally cut off from the real world when they have net access in thier bedrooms ( something i wont my kids have at that age lol )

yes she has a deep belief in following biblical rules but thats because shes still young later she will learn life has grey areas ( her brother seemed quite capable of saying the opposite of what he meant

lol quite amused at first clip when she asked reporter if she had lied etc but that just showed she was still young

stil wading through the other clips but i just see biased reporting with very onesided questions being asked so far

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

I wonder what makes the parents think 'God' wants her to serve him in this way? Seems to me if anyone is going to hell, it'll be the parents.

Should parents be the only ones blamed for this? It's their religion/Gods that are to blame for the poison they preach and spread like a wicked virus? It's sad to think that so many good people have been made to do so many bad things in the name of their God.

Take it away, I want nothing to do with your pathetic fanaticism! You are truly dangerous and destructive.

At the same time, I wont idly stand by and let these evil people destroy innocent lives.

[SB_07]

She's an Evangelical Christian.....scary people.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Child abuse...(if it's true)

With parents like this, who needs hell to frighten their children.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Product 13

Should parents be the only ones blamed for this? It's their religion/Gods that are to blame for the poison they preach and spread like a wicked virus? It's sad to think that so many good people have been made to do so many bad things in the name of their God.

Yes only the parents should be blamed imo. It's to easy and lazy to blame 'God', if he is up there he gave us free will. Yes 'God' made me do it the defence of the lunatic, wonder what the next excuse will be 'I voz only following orderz'.

She's an Evangelical Christian.....scary people.

Kind of reminds me of Rimmer's parents from Red Dwarf, seventh day hopists, their Bible had a misprint, instead of hope it said hop and they spent every sunday hoping.

[papa smurf]

well what can i say
another fine example of the abuse of the young and innocent , these people will never fit in with main stream society there totally damaged imo..
and thanks to there parents they have a warped view of reality , and as for HELL those kids are living it , but mum and dad know best its Gods will-blah blah -i always find it amusing how this "type of person " know exactly what there God wants , it would be quite funny if it weren't so tragic ,speaks volumes about parenting skills .

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

With parents like this, who needs hell to frighten their children.

I think she fears hell everyday. she seems to me like she thinks she is being watched and judged everyday, and she has to show who ever's watching that she isn't going to be a bad girl and please don't send me to hell.

The last shot in the programme is Deborah yet again proclaiming that “we are wretched, horrible people,� and that “I, Deborah Drapper, am a wicked person,� then breaking down in tears as she recounts that Jesus had died for her. Her palpable distress at the scenario she’s been indoctrinated to accept: that God sent his only son (who was really himself) to die an agonising death because we turned out to be no better than he made us and we are all going to Hell unless we ask for forgiveness, made me want to phone for a social worker and report her parents. Yet in the days after the programme was aired, some Christians rejoiced that it was shown on the BBC. The sight of a child breaking down in distress at the thought of Hell was ‘wonderful’ and ‘awesome’, apparently.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

it would be quite funny if it weren't so tragic ,speaks volumes about parenting skills .

and in some cases, religion and the extremes it can create.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Bender

and in some cases, religion and the extremes it can create.

That's where I have a problem with it. anyone old enough to have made up their own mind to follow a religion is all well and good. but Deborah and her brothers and sisters are taught it as a way of life.

and because it's God that has been taught it's seen as ok. but you have to look at the other aspects of it, where by how she has been brought up from birth, she has been denied anything else that is normal for a child to grow up with.