Westridge & Other Schools(Formerly LDS Perceptions thread)

[_moksha]

Wonder if Bob realizes this acrimonious situation would not have occurred if we all had the sense to post as anonymous cowards. Once people know who we are, there will be inevitable repercussions if they do not like the thoughts or feelings we share on the internet. That is not to say that most are into a vendetta thing, but there are always misdirected individual who will go overboard in such a way.

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[_Kishkumen]

Move along, nothing to see here.

You should begin all of your posts with these words, for then you will have stated the truth.

[Guest]

Here, Eric states that his step-father is a "FARMS cronie and what he considers to be a Mormon Blowhard". OK.....Eric obviously has issues with his step-father. So what? A lot of kids have issues with parents and step parents. He doesn't disparage is sister, or make light of his sister's illness at all. As a matter of fact, he prefaces all of his comments by speaking about the seriousness of her condition.

Although I do have concerns about Eric posting the email in its entirety, he did carefully blot out all in real life references. I do, however, think it would have been smarter of him to paraphrase the email, and have indicated as much elsewhere. The issue I am raising here, however, is family humiliation. All he did was post the email in its entirety, minus in real life references. He didn't change the meaning or wording of anything his step-father wrote. If he had, I'm sure we would have heard as much from DCP or Bob, since they both received copies. Since I'm sure that Eric's step-father had no shame in what he wrote, and the in real life references were in place, I don't see any indication of humiliation here. Let's move on.

Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, Students, and Saints:

There are several reasons we have seen what was a very ominous situation become a very hopeful situation. First and foremost, if her cousin, *****, had not followed her premonition to check on **** last Monday, and then get her to the hospital, we might be having a very different (and tragic) report to give you.

We are certain that the prayers and positive thoughts offered by so many people played a significant and profound part in ****'s healing. Also, the many expressions of concern, hope, and love offered by many people that contacted us via email, telephone, and text messaging, enabled ***** to know that you are all rooting for her, and this gave her (and us) strength.

Also, in our LDS faith community, we give actual priesthood blessings by the laying on of hands as discussed in the New Testament and elsewhere, and ***** was the recipient of several of these. I was present for some of them and was struck by the amazing power and faith of one David ****, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder and a man without guile, who boldly rebuked the very disease that brought harm to our daughter.

And something more: members of our congregation back in California, along with others, fasted on behalf of her, and we believe this had a profound effect in opening the heavens and receiving a miracle.....


I want to ask him why God decided to give this poor girl such a horrible disease, or why the priesthood blessings didn't cure her outright, and so on...

In this closing paragraph, Eric is initiating a discussion. He is blaming God for giving his sister the disease. Is this blame misguided? For a staunch LDS believer, yes, it is. But Eric has already indicated that he does NOT believe in the doctrine of the LDS Church. Also, I have heard LDS Church MEMBERS blame God for terrible things that have happened to themselves or family in moments of weakness. Certainly, a sister being gravely ill would qualify as a moment of weakness, would it not?

Right. In all my continual studies and following of current political events and politics, it would be difficult to find a better example of mealy mouthed whitewashing of, what to any unbiased observer, would have to be understood as a petty, mean spirited provocation.

You still appear to be "circling the wagons" Liz, and your own pose of moral superiority to those who refuse to fall for it grows old.

[_Yoda]

First of all, I would hardly refer to you, Droopy, as an "unbiased observer". You are as biased AGAINST Eric as others here are FOR.

I have already cohesively stated my position. You refuse to address it directly. Instead, you simply continue to insult me.

We are obviously at an impasse.

I have a voice lesson to teach. I may have more to say later.

[_harmony]

What I want to know is has any legal action been taken? ANY? We've been waiting for a complaint to be filed, an investigation to begin, a hearing to be scheduled, a court date to be set... anything!

[_Droopy]

First of all, I would hardly refer to you, Droopy, as an "unbiased observer". You are as biased AGAINST Eric as others here are FOR.

I have already cohesively stated my position. You refuse to address it directly. Instead, you simply continue to insult me.

We are obviously at an impasse.

I have a voice lesson to teach. I may have more to say later.

I don't have to be biased against Eric. I have his original OP and thread with which to construct my opinion and perspective.

The question in my mind is your bias for him, given his behavior and his views, given that they have been consistent from the beginning of his sick vendetta against the Church and his family from that time until the present.

[_Droopy]

What I want to know is has any legal action been taken? ANY? We've been waiting for a complaint to be filed, an investigation to begin, a hearing to be scheduled, a court date to be set... anything!

Even better is when we will finally get some particle of evidence that Eric's stories about the ranch are anything but yet another manifestation of his self serving vendetta against the Church by any means necessary, whether or not there is any shred of truth or veracity attached to them.

[_marg]

What I want to know is has any legal action been taken? ANY? We've been waiting for a complaint to be filed, an investigation to begin, a hearing to be scheduled, a court date to be set... anything!

Even better is when we will finally get some particle of evidence that Eric's stories about the ranch are anything but yet another manifestation of his self serving vendetta against the Church by any means necessary, whether or not there is any shred of truth or veracity attached to them.

I'm wondering Loran what sort of abuse did Eric describe are you unable to accept happened?

From my delving into this issue it seems that for quite some time people have been able to set up and operate private therapeutic residential schools to teens with few if any regulations governing them, at least in particular U.S. states. Some places have been sucessfully shut down, particularly when extreme physical abuse has occurred and it can be proved but a program which is set up which manipulates and controls through means of humilation and punishments apparently isn't against any law. And emotional and exactly what constitutes it is difficult to make a case for. For the most part parents are ignorant of what goes on. That doesn't mean every place is abusive but the system in the U. S. from what I gather doesn't have laws set up to protect under 18 year olds put into these private big business residential programs by their parents.

These schools are not just Mormon affliated but it seems Westridge (which is)uses a behavior modification approach of humilation and punishment, as it is well known others (not all) in the industry do. It may have improved since Eric went, and perhaps some laws and pressure are now in place which is forcing it to improve, however there are still indications on its web site that it may be abusive and ineffective in its approach. They appear to accept kids with varying issues but treat them all the same as if one approach fits all, they warn parents to not listen to their child's claims of mistreatment, they don't allow contact in first weeks between parent and child.

A treatment program for kids with few issues to begin with, which uses disrespect, humilation and punishment is not likely to teach self respect, and trust in relationship with others.

And by the way Loran, why should teens have religion forced upon them if they don't wish it?

[_Jersey Girl]

We don't know for a fact that the relationship between GoodK and step dad was actually damaged. Do we?

Can we know anything with any amount of certainty in this situation? Anything?

[_Jersey Girl]

What I want to know is has any legal action been taken? ANY? We've been waiting for a complaint to be filed, an investigation to begin, a hearing to be scheduled, a court date to be set... anything!

If you're referring to allegations about the ranch, I don't think the above actions have been taken.

I do recall that Goodk/Eric mentioned that everything would be included in the book that he is writing and that bothers me.