Bullied In The Bible Belt

Rev. Skipworth's courage, candor, and compassion jump from the pages of this compilation of his weekly newspaper columns, "Letters to the Editor," rebuttals from area ministers, and responses from readers written in the heart of Tennessee's Bible Belt. This book is a give and take between a progressive follower of Jesus and his often-irate readers/respondents, most of whom are biblical literalists and evangelical white Christians. With Skip, what you see or read is what you get. He not only tackles the hard issues, while wearing vulnerably, but also brilliantly translates and integrates his columns with the informed biblical and theological understanding of many of the most learned minds within progressive Christianity. While making their work understandable for his readers, friends and foes alike, he painstakingly applies their insights to the divisive theological and political issues liberal clergy and laity have tragically failed to address honestly with each other. Skip deserves our gratitude for this informed and courageous gift, and the whole church owes him our thoughtful and willing dialogue. Taken from the Foreword by Bishop Joseph Sprague.

This work explores conformation and presentist biases in continuing accounts of the Ruby McCollum story. This was a 1952 murder trial in which a wealthy African-American wife shot and killed her white, physician and Florida Senator elect lover. The author contends that continuing accounts of the story are being told through the lens of the present, and by authors and filmmakers who bring their own point of view to the story rather than relying on archival information. By re-visiting archival information, the author attempts to confront these versions of revisionist history.

From school bullying in the cafeteria to cyberbullying after school, the statistics on bullying are staggering. This practical, quick-reference book shows how to spot, prevent, and respond to all forms of bullying. It covers everything from the root causes of bullying to the realistic ways to stop it. Perfect for teens, teachers, church leaders, youth workers, pastors, and parents. Get a close-up look at the common characteristics of the bully, the bystander, and the victimand discover practical ways to help each of them stop the cycle of bullying and find a new identity. Receive incredible insight and biblical wisdom from Christian Counselor June Hunt on how to: Identify the common causes and signs of bullying( Click here for 4 common signs) Restore the self-esteem of a bullied child or teen Respond when your child is being bullied Safely stand up and stick up for a person being bullied ( Click here for 3 key ways to prevent bullying.) 4 Truths You Need to Know About Bullying MYTH: Bullying is normalsimply a rite of passage. TRUTH: Bullying is inexcusable and can never be dismissed as just "kids being kids." Bullying causes great emotional and psychological paincausing kids to miss school, struggle with depression, contemplate suicide, and often times become a bully themselves. MYTH: Bullying is obvious and easy to identify TRUTH: Bullying often goes undetected because victims (and bystanders) feel too much shame and embarrassment to report it, feeling it is their own fault or feeling paralyzed by fear. Bullies intentionally use subtle, yet destructive tactics that are severe, threatening, and persistent. MYTH: Bullying is not that serious TRUTH: Bullying is any deliberate, hostile, physical, psychological, or verbal activity involving an imbalance of power with the intent to harm and induce fear. It is persistent, pervasive abuse that creates an intimidating or terrorizing environment. MYTH: Bullies are underachievers with low self- worth and are easily recognized. TRUTH: Bullies often appear "normal" and can hide behind a mask of friendship. They perceive and project popularity through power. Often times they have been victims of bullying themselves. Find out what you need to know about bullying and how to take action against it with this quick-reference guide. It includes Definition Section on BullyingWhat is Bullying? June Hunt begins this book by answering the question, "What is bullying?" She gives easy-to-understand explanations on bullying that will help you quickly grasp what bullying is and how it is different from other conflicts. She also tells the heart-breaking story of Phoebe Prince, a teenage viciously bullied who felt so hopeless she took her own life. Using Phoebe's experience, June Hunt explains the "bullying process," a process with distinct stages that become more and more severe if left unchecked. June Hunt ends this section by emphasizing God's heart on bullying and His message of hope for the broken hearted. Characteristics and Causes Section: The Bully, The Bullied, and The Bystander This helpful section answers the fundamental questions: How can I spot the signs of bullying?Why do bullies...bully? and What are the characteristics of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander? Learn how to spot the mental, behavioral, and social traits of bullies. (Checklist included) Discover the 32 signs of possible bullyingincludes social indicators, such as constantly wanting to miss school, to emotional "red flags," such as severe depression. (Checklist included/ Click here for more information). Find out the 5 types of victims and the 3 types of bystandersfrom the apathetic bystander who feels no obligation to help to the passive bystander who fears becoming the bully's next target. Explains the root causes of bullying, revealing the lies bullies believe about themselves (and others) that motivate their behavior. Shows their underlying desire for love, security, and acceptance. Steps to Solution Section: How to Stop Bullying Gives helpful advice on how to help those who have been bulliedand who bully others. It provides helpful do's and don'ts for teachers, schools, parents, and church leaders on how to handle (and prevent) bullying situations. It gives specific action steps victims of bullying (as well as bystanders) can take to stop bullying. Find out How schools and parents can prevent bullying. How an adult can confront a child who constantly bullies others. (Provides conversation models.) How to encourage those who've been bullied to speak up for help and how bystanders can practice intervening. (Gives role-playing ideas and the 4 key ways bystanders can help.) How to Stop Bullying: 3 Biblical Steps to Prevent Bullying /a June Hunt gives 7 practical ways parents can prevent bullying in this quick-reference book. Here's just 3 of the top ways parents can prevent bullying. Model relationships of respect, kindness, civility, and self-control. Children most often learn how to interact and relate to others by observing and interacting with their parents, siblings, and other family and friends. Purposefully connect with your child's online community. Develop guidelines with your child concerning blogging and social media services and join (or at least monitor) your child's connections online. Encourage your children to stand up for themselves and others. Help your children communicate effectively by learning to recognize nonverbal messages, remain calm under stress, give voice to their thoughts and feelings, and to empathize with the situation and perspective of others. Learn How to Spot 4 Common Signs of Bullying/a There are over 32 signs of bullying/athat June Hunt reveals in her book Bullying: Bully No More. Here's just 4 of the common "red flag" parents, teachers, church leaders, and peers should look for and monitor. Mental Signs of Bullying "I'm too weak and unimportant." "The situation is hopeless. There's no way out." Emotional Signs of Bullying Feels isolated and lonely Struggles with poor self-worth Behavioral Signs of Bullying Suffers from headaches and stomachaches Negative change in eating patterns Social Signs of Bullying Makes frequent excuses to miss school Withdraws from social activities "The bully seeks power to 'lord it over' others. But the only true Lord, the creator of the Golden Rule, wisely said, 'Do to others what you would have them do to you' (Matthew 7:12)." June Hunt Look for all 42 titles in the Hope For The Heart Biblical Counseling Library. These mini-books are for people who seek freedom from codependency, anger, conflict, verbal and emotional abuse, depression, or other problems. Paperback, 96 pages, 4 x 7 inches. Fits in a pocket or purse. Product Code: 284X ISBN: 9781596369269 June Hunt June Hunt, M.A. Criswell College, is a biblical counselor whose award-winning radio program "Hope For The Heart" is heard on 900 radio outlets around the world. For more than 25 years, she has counseled people, offering them hope for today's problems. June has helped many people with emotional, relational, and spiritual problems experience God's love through biblical hope and practical help. Click here to find out more about Hope for the Heart. Hope For The Heart Board of Reference Dr. Henry Blackaby (Blackaby Ministries International), Dr. Rick Warren (Saddleback Church), Dr. Tony Evans (The Urban Alternative), Joni Eareckson Tada (Joni and Friends), Kay Arthur (Precept Ministries International), Dr. David Jeremiah (Turning Point), Dr. Tim Clinton (American Association of Christian Counselors), Dr. Bruce Wilkinson (Bruce Wilkinson Ministries), Dr. Chip Ingram (Living on the Edge), Roger Staubach (SRS Real Estate Partners), Steve Arterburn (New Life Ministries), Vonette Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ), Dr. Charles Stanley (In Touch Ministries), Zig Ziglar (Ziglar Training Systems) Kind Words about June Hunt and the Hope for the Heart Minibook Series "After decades of counseling men and women from all walks of life, June knows how to lead readers to truthtruth that liberates because it is truth from God. " Kay Arthur, Co-founder of Precept Ministries International, and author of When the Hurt Runs Deep-Healing and Hope for Life's Desperate Moments. "Those of us who have had to forgive the unforgiveable will find June's materials to be tremendousfilled with hope and healing. She speaks from the heart with truth, directly to your broken soul." Stephen Arterburn, Founder of New Life Ministries and author of Healing Is a Choice. "June Hunt has been addressing the root issue for hurting hearts as long as I have known her. God has given her insightful sensitivity not only to identify human problems, but also to uncover biblical solutions. She has done it for me more than once! All who have hurting heartsor who minister to wounded spiritsneed to read her resources." Dr. Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Professor of Theology in Women's Studies, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary "June walks you through the step-by-step process to forgive...yes, even the 'unforgiveable.' If you want your days ahead to be better than the days gone by, this is a must read for you." Dr. Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, and President of The Urban Alternative.

Consistent with an ecological systems perspective, this book utilizes a whole school approach as a framework for developing and implementing comprehensive evidence-based interventions to combat bullying in schools.

A companion book to the acclaimed documentary film that inspired a national conversation, BULLY is packed with information and resources for teachers, parents, and anyone who cares about the more than 13 million children who will be bullied in the United States this year. From commentary about life after BULLY by the filmmakers and the families in the film, to the story of how Katy Butler’s petition campaign helped defeat the MPAA’s “R” rating, BULLY takes the story of the film beyond the closing credits. Celebrity contributions combine with essays from experts, authors, government officials, and educators to offer powerful insights and concrete steps to take, making the book an essential part of an action plan to combat the bullying epidemic in America.

Making the Bible Belt upends notions of a longstanding, stable marriage between political religion and the American South. H.L. Mencken coined the term "the Bible Belt" in the 1920s to capture the peculiar alliance of religion and public life in the South, but the reality he described was only the closing chapter of a long historical process. Into the twentieth century, a robust anticlerical tradition still challenged religious forays into southern politics. Inside southern churches, an insular evangelical theology looked suspiciously on political meddling. Outside of the churches, a popular anticlericalism indicted activist ministers with breaching the boundaries of their proper spheres of influence, calling up historical memories of the Dark Ages and Puritan witch hunts. Through the politics of prohibition, and in the face of bitter resistance, a complex but shared commitment to expanding the power and scope of religion transformed southern evangelicals' inward-looking restraints into an aggressive, self-assertive, and unapologetic political activism. The decades-long religious crusade to close saloons and outlaw alcohol in the South absorbed the energies of southern churches and thrust religious leaders headlong into the political process--even as their forays into southern politics were challenged at every step. Early defeats impelled prohibitionist clergy to recast their campaign as a broader effort not merely to dry up the South, but to conquer anticlerical opposition and inject religion into public life. Clerical activists churned notions of history, race, gender, and religion into a powerful political movement and elevated ambitious leaders such as the pugnacious fundamentalist J. Frank Norris and Senator Morris Sheppard, the "Father of National Prohibition." Exploring the controversies surrounding the religious support of prohibition in Texas, Making the Bible Belt reconstructs the purposeful, decades-long campaign to politicize southern religion, hints at the historical origins of the religious right, and explores a compelling and transformative moment in American history.

Bullying is a reality in our churches. It has devastated many people's lives. "Bullying in the Church: Addressing a Hidden Problem in Christianity" calls God's people to understand what bullying is, how we may be guilty of bullying others in the church, and how imperative it is to relate to one another in love. Endorsements: "It has been said the church is the only army that shoots its wounded. Too often, it's also the one doing the wounding. Mike Sarkissian explores the reality of bullying in the church and points us back to the one solution to this and every problem, that we would repent and believe the gospel." -R.C. Sproul Jr. "In Mike Sarkissian's book, he discusses what God's word says about sin, gossip, slander and other related evils. And he presents a clear and helpful analysis of how our postmodern culture has robbed us of the resources to deal with the situation. All of this within a strong gospel-centered appeal. I recommend this book and hope that it will receive a broad hearing." -Dr. John Frame Professor of Systematic Theology & Philosophy Reformed Theological Seminary "Mike Sarkissian courageously and openly exposes the sin problem behind bullying as well as its satanic character and the dreadful havoc it reaps. Masterfully he unfolds God's solution for this minimized sin: to live out of the person, the cross, and the words of Jesus Christ." -Dr. Joel R. Beeke President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary "This book by Mike Sarkissian is rigorously biblical, both in exposing the problem and providing the solution. I am happy to commend this book, the first I've ever read of its kind, to pastors and all of God's people as a biblical response to the evil sin of bullying." -Dr. Mark Jones "Mike addresses this neglected and timely topic. He exposes relational sins that underlie and promote bullying: gossip, slander, and favoritism. Mike is convinced that God's amazing grace should affect all our relationships, including those inside and outside of the church. He is zealous that Christians live for God not only in word but also in deed to brighten our witness to the world. His manuscript, addressed primarily to laypersons and secondarily to church leaders, is informative, engaging, and edifying." -Dr. Robert A. Peterson Drew University "I was gripped by the first sentence of Mike Sarkissian's book "Bullying in the Church." -Trisha Ramos WayofTheMaster.com, WretchedRadio.com "Pastor Mike has rendered the church a great service in addressing an issue that many Christians turn a blind eye to or are unaware of." -Lee Enochs Princeton Theological Seminary