GET YOUR VOICE HEARD ABOUT YOUR TEEN CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE!

I have decided to write a post concerning the comments that others have left about Teen Challenge because they are the voices of the people who have been directly involved in Teen Challenge.

Today I encourage everyone to take the time to 'really' read these comments and to leave your own comments about your own experience with Teen Challenge!

You can read or post comments by clicking on either of the posts below:

TO ADD YOUR BAD TEEN CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE:
http://teenchallengecult.blogspot.com/2007/02/did-you-have-bad-experience-at-teen.html

You can read more comments here:
TEEN CHALLENGE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Attention Teen Challenge: The Bill to Stop "Kiddie Gulag" Industry Passes House!

On June 25th, HR 6358--the bill that may well shut down the "kiddie gulag" industry for good--passed the House.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6358eh.txt.pdf

To read an in-depth article please visit- http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/2/114611/5680/781/545366

Dogemperor at Daily Kos: An In-Depth Series on Abuse at Teen Challenge

An In-Depth Series on Abuse at Teen Challenge

Part 1: Teen Challenge: The Assemblies' Own "Kiddie Gulag"

Part 2: Teen Challenge: Coercive Groups Disguised as Rehab

Part 3: Teen Challenge: A Typical Week in the "Jesus Gulag"

Part 4: Teen Challenge: Life Within the "Jesus Gulag"

Part 5: Teen Challenge: Possible Missionary Mill?

Part 6: Teen Challenge: The Depths of Coercion at a "God Warrior" Training Camp

Part 7: Teen Challenge: Sex Abuse and Sexual Predators

Part 8: Teen Challenge: Court-Ordered Coercion and CYA Indemnity Contracts

Part 9: Teen Challenge: Your Tax Dollars, Paying For Institutionalised Abuse

Links:

• Bill HR 5876--A Chance to Protect Kids from Abusive "Kiddie Boot Camps"

• Join Teen Challenge Lawsuit!

DID YOU HAVE A BAD EXPERIENCE AT TEEN CHALLENGE?

If you have had a bad experience at Teen Challenge, I invite you to post your comments about it here. You may even be able to exchange e-mail addresses to talk with others who have had similar experiences. And, if you are a family member wanting to make contact with other family members who have questions and concerns, please read my post below regarding family members.

Known Front Groups for the Assemblies of God

Scroll down this page to find the list of "Known Front Groups for the Assemblies of God"-

http://community.livejournal.com/dark_christian/264750.html

Teen Challenge is a Mission of the Assemblies of God!

This post is for those of you who don't believe that Teen Challenge is a Mission of the Assemblies of God! Here is the proof:

Missions of the Assemblies of God - http://usmissions.ag.org/

The Assemblies of God U.S. Missions is comprised of six departments, which includes TEEN CHALLENGE! - http://usmissions.ag.org/top/faqs.cfm

You can also find the link to the Teen Challenge Mission on the Assemblies of God website by going to the links on the left of their website and clicking on "Missions" and then "U.S.Missions".
http://ag.org/top/

And, as I've stated before- The Teen Challenge websites do not make the public aware that Teen Challenge is actually a Mission of the Assemblies of God Church!

Teen Challenge Programs Draw Some Criticisms About Methodology, Funding

Excerpt from the Montrose Daily Press (Montrose, CO)
http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2007/08/19/news/doc46c7bda0a99cd874857761.txt

By Maggie Stehr
Daily Press Writer
Published on Sunday, August 19, 2007

According to the organization’s Web site, Teen Challenge programs are the “solution to the addiction crisis.” Since opening in 1958 and with more than 170 centers in the U.S., Teen Challenge officials claim to have cured thousands from drug and alcohol addictions.

But such testimonials have drawn criticisms from some former students, civil liberties experts and addiction specialists.

Some experts have argued that because some Teen Challenge centers and students receive federal funding, the programs violate the separation between religion and government. High success rates have contributed to ongoing governmental support of the faith-based drug treatment program, but not without opposition.

“These figures dramatically distort the truth, as they represent the successful treatment rate of only those participants who do not drop out of the program before completion, which includes less than one-fifth (18 percent) of the total number of students who actually participated,” argued Samantha Smoot, executive director of Texas Freedom Network Education Fund, which promotes church-state separation. In 2001, Smoot testified in Congress that funding for Teen Challenge should instead go towards secular drug rehab programs with stronger medical components.

Other opponents of Teen Challenge have labeled the evangelical groups as cults, alleging psychological abuse and manipulation by staff members.

Vicki Proffit, director of Teen Challenge House of Promise near Olathe, denies such negative claims but acknowledges the program contains a strong Christian focus.

Obviously Teen Challenge Didn't Work For This Teen Challenge Graduate

Hmmm, he recently graduated from Teen Challenge but now he's already on his way to prison for 3 years!

Winnipeg Theft News - Friday August 17, 2007
http://www.winnipegtheft.com/2007/08/17/robber-falls-off-rehab-path/

Recovery Center Plan Draws Concern From Neighbors

Looks like another neighborhood also has issues with Teen Challenge!

KVAL News- August 16, 2007- Eugene, Oregon:
http://www.kval.com/news/local/9184537.html

Why Does Teen Challenge Need to Be Investigated?

To learn more about why people feel that Teen Challenge needs to be thoroughly investigated, I highly recommend reading my web blog in its entirety and then paying a visit to the following websites:

• The "Investigating Teen Challenge" Web Forum at- http://wwf.fornits.com/viewforum.php?f=57, which is proudly hosted on Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora Forum (http://fornits.com/wwf/index.php). Fornits Forum covers many of the Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification and Thought Reform facilities!

• "Behind the Walls: The Teen Challenge You Won't See" by Michael Kincheloe - http://www.teenchallengeexposed.com/

• A very active thread about Teen Challenge at- http://www.topix.net/forum/city/minneapolis-mn/TN94VATH520HE9UQM#lastPost

• Another thread on Teen Challenge at- http://www.topix.net/forum/blogs/TEV4TDE8D9LDKTISS

• A Thread at The Bismarck Tribune - http://www.bismarcktribune.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=33

• Many more opinions about Teen Challenge can be found here- http://www.badsamaritan.com/archives/2001/10/the_teen_challenge_lady.php

• "Returning to Sanity" - http://www.exchristian.net/testimonies/2006/02/returning-to-sanity.html

• A new thread about Teen Challenge called- 'Subsidized Religion in MA' at Aces Full of Links - http://www.drmomentum.com/aces/archives/002976.html

• NEW: "Exploring and Exposing Dominionist Christianity" - http://community.livejournal.com/dark_christian/894971.html

• NEW: "watchpaul: Could it happen here?" - http://watchpaul.blogspot.com/2007/06/could-it-happen-here.html

• "The Texas Faith-Based Initiative at Five Years: Warning Signs as PresidentBush Expands Texas-style Program at National Level" - http://www.tfn.org/files/fck/TFN%20CC%20REPORT-FINAL.pdf

(Note: If you cannot open the above pdf file, you can download the "Foxit Reader", which is a free PDF document viewer and printer. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php)

• To learn more about the the faith-based initiative, go to Americans United for Separation of Church and State website- "The 'Faith-Based' Initiative- Churches, Social Services & Your Tax Dollars" - http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=resources&page=NewsArticle&id=9051&security=1441&news_iv_ctrl=2422

• "Charitable Choice, Faith-Based Partnerships, and the Public Funding Of Religion" - http://www.atheists.org/public.square/charitablechoice.html

• "A Stark Truth For Policy Makers: Data Lacking to Support Claims of Faith-Based Social Program Success" - http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faith14.htm

• "Faith Without Works" - http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0410.sullivan.html

• I am also posting the following web forum just in case someone feels it would suit them- , the "Ex-Pentecostal Forum" - http://p212.ezboard.com/bexpentecostalforums

• Read more about the Ex-Pentecostal Forum at the "Association of Former Pentecostals" - http://expentecostals.org/index.htm

ANOTHER GOOD READ:

• JESUS ‘LOVE-BOMBS' YOU - By Chris Hedges. http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/jesus_love_bombs_you/

Many other links are also listed over on the right-hand sidebar, along with the comments / concerns that people have about their bad experiences with Teen Challenge. Be sure to stop back as I add more info often!

Something to Really Think About!!!

You are all aware that Teen Challenge Director Fred Lamberson III said that the Teen Challenge facilities are Christian discipleships, not drug and alcohol programs. Well, I am now wondering why the rest of the nation, including the judges in our court rooms, aren't aware of what Teen Challenge really is.

The following is from the Lebanon Daily News Jun 29, 2007:

Jesse L. Smith, 34, of 205 Strack Drive, Myerstown, was sentenced to two years probation and fined $3,000 for three drunken-driving convictions. Smith requested placement in the Teen Challenge residential drug-and-alcohol program at Rehrersburg. The judge ordered Smith to successfully complete the program or face a probation violation and a jail sentence.

I really don't believe that a judge would have imposed such a sentence if he/she was informed of the fact that Teen Challenge is not a drug and alcohol treatment center!

I would also like to point out the following court conviction that really deserves attention! Why? Because most of you already know that Teen Challenge states that they do not take in people who have prior sexual offenses or violent offenders. Obviously, that is not true!

The following is from the Lansing State Journal July 5, 2007:

David Leon Davis, 26, of Charlotte, criminal sexual conduct, fourth degree, habitual offender, fourth conviction, 365 days in jail, 173 days credit, 90 days suspended upon completion of Teen Challenge program and aftercare, $83.60 restitution, $600 supervision fee, $60 state cost, $60 to Crime Victims Rights Fund.

The following is from the Criminal Court Docket (published July 13, 2007) in Cumberland County, Tennessee:

Brian E. Elmore, in community corrections on a four-year sentence for burglary and theft more than $1,000, pleaded guilty to violation of probation and was ordered to serve 180 straight days with credit for 91 days already served with only release being directly into the Teen Challenge program. If he fails in the Teen Challenge program, he will be facing the remainder of the four-year sentence.

_________

The above convictions/sentences prove that not only are the courts sentencing all kinds of convicted criminals to Teen Challenge but Teen Challenge obviously accepts a wide range of criminals into their program!

For proof of more types of criminals being accepted into Teen Challenge, please read my post entitled- "PROOF THAT COURTS ARE SENTENCING PEOPLE TO TEEN CHALLENGE"

I think this also proves why you should be very concerned about what
type of criminals live in the Teen Challenge near you!*

Understanding Why Eureka, CA Residents Have So Many Issues With Teen Challenge

To truly understand all aspects of the issues that many residents in Eureka, CA have been dealing with regarding Teen Challenge, one would have had to have been paying close attention to the newspapers in this city. When the articles are read in order, as a whole, you will begin to fully understand why so many people fought to stop Teen Challenge from operating in Eureka. You will hear much frustration as residents try to stand on their own to fight a battle that literally seems to be a no-win situation. They are left with some very important, unanswered questions, just as you will be.

From this point out, not only will the posts on my blog make much better sense to you, but you will also learn about aspects that you may not have even known about how Teen Challenge operates!

Below, I have posted the news articles from both the Times-Standard and The Eureka Reporter. Please take the time to read them before Teen Challenge comes to a city near you!

Below are the articles on the Teen Challenge Issue in Eureka, CA from the The Times-Standard:

• Challenges to Teen Challenge 06/04/07 Comments(35)

• Eureka Debates Proposed Recovery Center 06/06/07 Comments(48)

• Council Regroups for Teen Challenge Decision 06/07/07 Comments (35)

• Eureka Delays Vote on Teen Challenge 06/08/07 Comments(21)

• Next Time, Go The Extra Mile 06/09/07 Comments(11)

• Good News, Bad News 06/10/07 Comments(7)

• Teen Challenge Back for Round Four 06/18/07 Comments(18)

• Public May Get Second Chance For Comment 06/19/07 Comments(16)

• Recovery Facility Approved 06/20/07 Comments(32)

• Teen Challenge Debate Reveals A Neighborhood In Crisis 06/24/07 Comments(39)

• Hot Eureka Issue Bubbling in State Capitol 07/05/07 Comments (14)

• UPDATE: Property Buy Falls Through; Redwood Teen Challenge Back To Drawing Board 07/14/07 Comments (57)
  

"God works in mysterious ways preventing that "faith based" B.S. from setting up shop." - The Real Bubba Joe
~

Below are the articles on The Teen Challenge Issue in Eureka, CA from the The Eureka Reporter:

• Commission OKs Center- Permit Planning Commission Grants Permit to Treatment Facility Over Residents' Objections 5/14/07

• City Council to Review Appeal of Teen Challenge Decision 5/17/07

• Housing Facility Still An Issue- Residents Gather to Discuss Concerns Over Teen Challenge Project 5/22/07

• Inside Teen Challenge- Participants, Recovering Addicts Discuss Program; Lawsuit May Be On Horizon 5/25/07

• Teen Challenge To Present Town Hall Meeting 5/30/07

• Success Rate of Restorative Program' Speaks For Itself 5/30/07

• Drugs For Sale Or Godly Recovery Program? 5/31/07

• A License or Jesus? - Teen Challenge Director Says He's Not Willing to Compromise Program Philosophy 6/1/07

• Redwood Teen Challenge Appeal Goes to Eureka Council 6/3/07

• Meeting Gives Voice to Concerns 6/4/07

• Council Should Allow Teen Challenge a Chance to Succeed 6/4/07

• Writer Poses Questions For Teen Challenge to Consider 6/5/07

• City Council Hears Brandenberg's Appeal- Lamberson Said License Not An Option 6/6/07
  

• Eureka City Council to Look at Teen Challenge Appeal This Evening 6/6/07

• Teen Challenge Vote Postponed- Eureka City Council Convenes Committee to Consider Revised Conditional-Use Permit 6/8/07

• Newly Formed Advisory Group Meets to Discuss Teen Challenge 6/15/07

• City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Teen Challenge Appeal 6/16/07

• Hearing on Teen Challenge Appeal Continues 6/18/07

• So Be It- Council Grants Conditional-Use Permit to Teen Challenge 6/20/07

• A Law That Suits Or A Lawsuit? 6/25/07

• Former (Teen Challenge) Member Talks About 'Abusive Ministry' 6/25/07

• Rehab Facility Raises Ethical Questions 7/4/07

• Teen Challenge May Feel the Effect of Senate Bill 992 7/5/07

• UPDATE: Teen Challenge Deal is Dead! 7/16/07
  
  

Dallas Residents Urge Others to Sign Their Petition So They Can Stop Teen Challenge From Locating Next to Girl Scout Camp!

As of this morning, 441 people have signed a petition begging the city not to allow Teen/Life Challenge of Dallas to set up camp next to the Girl Scouts' longtime home at Camp Whispering Cedars. According to Allen Gwinn, this week the city's Planning Commission is set to take up the request of Teen/Life Challenge, which wants to buy and rezone the former Camp El-Har to accommodate up to 100 men!

Read more here: Fury Over Plan for Rehab Near Girl Scout Camp

The Petition can be found here: Petition in Opposition of Teen/Life Challenge of Dallas, Inc., Zoning Case No. Z067-191

"No sexual abuse allegations at Teen Challenge? Bull crap!"

This was posted by Cameron at- http://www.topix.net/forum/city/minneapolis-mn/TN94VATH520HE9UQM/p10#lastPost

"No sexual abuse allegations at Teen Challenge? Bull crap!"

http://www.tfn.org/religiousfreedom/faithbased/teenchallenge/

"There is no question that eliminating basic health and safety standards made operations easier for a few faith-based programs in Texas, however the lack of minimum standards has threatened the safety of those participating in the program. In 1998, a boy filed suit against Dallas Teen Challenge Boys Ranch and Assemblies of God, alleging that a counselor, who was a convicted drug trafficker, sexually molested him and two other boys. The lawsuit also claimed that the ranch’s Executive Director, the church and the ranch’s board knowingly hired people with criminal histories to serve as counselors." (Austin American-Statesman, 5/13/1998)

More here: http://www.texnews.com/1998/texas/molest0513.html

FYI:
http://www.schaler.net/inthenews/washblade.html
"Texas Freedom Network, a 23,000-member non-partisan grassroots watchdog group based in Austin conducted a five-year study of the policy and found, “As exempt faith-based drug treatment centers, [such] facilities are not required to have licensed chemical dependency counselors, conduct staff training or criminal background checks, protect client confidentiality rights, adhere to state health and safety standards, or report abuse, neglect, emergencies and medication errors.”

CAMERON ALSO E-MAILED THIS TO ME TODAY-

"And if you really want to have a look at sexual abuse cases involving the Assemblies of God Church (which runs all Teen Challenge programs) have a look at this page!" - http://sportsforum.ws/the-tavern/t-the-official-post-all-your-stupid-religious-propaganda-shit-in-here-thread-153972.html

Note- The original source for the above page is here: http://reformation.com/

Teen Challenge's Primary Purpose

This excerpt is from the Proselytizing Report: "Teen Challenge" -

"Mr. Soemo (Phoenix Center Director for "Teen Challenge") openly admitted that the primary purpose of Teen Challenge is the promotion of a specific religious belief system. He made it clear his focus is conversion." "In conclusion, Teen Challenge represents a direct violation of the guidelines of our religious manual which preclude any "proselytizing."

An organization, which has as it's primary goal "confrontational evangelism," obviously has no place within ADOC religious programs. Unlike Christian denominations, which may contain an evangelical message within the context of their denominational liturgical service, this organization has confrontational evangelism as its stated goal and essentially its only function.

Chaplains throughout the ADOC are expected to facilitate religious programming in a neutral, non-biased manner. Teen Challenge therefore presents an obvious problem. Any chaplain who engages in facilitating a program for this organization could easily be seen as assisting in proselytizing."

WHY JOE QUIT TEEN CHALLENGE

This is a post I found tonight on the net that directly tells why someone quit Teen Challenge. Click on the title to view the original post.

Prayer for Intercession for Joe

27 April 2007

"Joe left teen challenge yesterday and is enrolling in a salvation army program instead. The teen challenge program was a little too much for him—no visitation, can’t communicate with family—he really wants to be able to see his son. The mandatory fasting two days a week shocked him as well. The salvation army program is a 6 month residency program that allows attendees to visit family, and even hold a job after a period of time. It is also a Christ-centered program. The other good news is that his insurance apparently will cover the new program, which means he does not need our support. I thank you all for your prayers and for your eager willingness to support Joe in this major life change. Please keep praying, but use your resources to bless another. It is our willingness to give that pleases God, not the act of giving. May He richly blessed for your generosity."

MIND CONTROL TACTICS THAT TEEN CHALLENGE USES

Using Mind Control - The BITE Model, how many and which mind control techniques do you feel that Teen Challenge uses? (I highly recommend that you ask previous Teen Challenge members or compare Teen Challenge's Daily Schedule, Overview of the Teen Challenge Program and their Student Guidelines to help you decide.)

I have compared the Teen Challenge Daily Schedule, Overview of the Teen Challenge Program and the Student Guidelines to the BITE Model and was absolutely convinced that Teen Challenge uses the majority of these mind control tactics! Print them all out! I think you will be convinced also!

THE BIZARRE REALITY BEHIND THE DOORS AT TEEN CHALLENGE

I found this post at Topix.net and it seems to depict one aspect of the very bizarre reality of what it's really like behind the doors at Teen Challenge...

"I was at Teen Challenge in Nashville, and I can honestly say that I left because I felt as if I were part of an infomercial for Teen Challenge to receive money. We were guests at many churches in and around the area and each time we were all herded to the front of the church and without choice and whether or not we were okay yet we were to tell our story of how the program had completely changed our lives, even if we had only been there for two days. I can understand the God part of it because I do know that he is the only one that can completely heal us of our addictions, but come on....once you get out of there you need to have been taught the skills to live in the real world and not the world of teen challenge where each and every move you make is monitored and punished. You cannot force someone that has no Christian background to stand up in a church and praise God and beg for money to help others like themselves if they haven't even gotten the help they need yet. It is like Bible College and Military Bootcamp all rolled into one and for someone who may not even know who they are yet it can be so overwhelming. I do know it helps some people, because I have seen it, but I also know that it can drive some people right back to the world they came from because if you feel that it is not the place for you and discuss leaving with them you are given the third degree and told by EVERYONE you come on contact with on your way out that you are making the worst mistake of your life and that you will never make it. You will die if you leave there because Satan will attack you so hard that you cannot possibly survive. That IS NOT what an addict who is really trying to get better needs to hear. You cannot scare someone into getting sober. It is a hard thing to do in the first place and to me compassion and love go a lot farther than bullying someone into becoming a "Robot " for the sake of Teen Challenges survival as a program. Let time be the proof, when many who have been helped simply let others know that Teen Challenge may be what they need, because it helped them. If you have more people dropping out of the program then staying and "Graduating" then there is obviously a problem."

Rene
Trenton, TN
Friday Mar 23, 2007

BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE: INVESTIGATE TEEN CHALLENGE BEFORE YOU DONATE

BBB Wise Giving Alliance: Investigate Before You Donate

NATIONAL CHARITY REPORTS INDEX - This page lists the current BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on charities and other organizations that solicit nationally.
http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp

TEEN CHALLENGE'S REPORT: http://charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=1300

BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE STANDARDS FOR CHARITY ACCOUNTABILITY:
http://www.give.org/standards/newcbbbstds.asp

JOURNALIST MAY CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT ALL THE TEEN CHALLENGE HOOPLA!

Read one journalists view that may change your mind about all the Teen Challenge hoopla!

Blog article:
http://vkshashikumar.blogspot.com/2007/02/eagle-on-altar.html

Newspaper article:
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main.asp?filename=ts013004shashi.asp

NOTE: This is an absolutely incredible article and I highly recommend reading it in its entirety!!!