Protecting the accusers, no help for the accused

I want to tell you a story, the story of a minister, a good man, and an excellent preacher. It's one I've never really told online before.

There was once this Baptist minister, who had worked his way through college and seminary; and he was a good man and an excellent preacher, who followed his calling faithfully. Then one day, totally unaware of it, he angered a director of missions of a local Baptist association (still to this day, he doesn't know what set him off); who set about ruining this minister's reputation as a pastor. Being unaware of this, the man went about his calling and his ministry. By the time the minister became aware of it, it was too late. His ministry was ruined. This caused him great financial hardship, and he eventually quit trying to pastor altogether. The secular jobs he took ruined his knees, and today he is disabled, and hasn't been to church in years.

That minister is my husband.

In 2016, it will be 20 years since one man's lies about my husband started us on this downward financial spiral, that we haven't been able to stop yet. Flash forward to 2015, and the same thing is now happening to me.

Unlike other people, who have no qualms about slandering others, I won't stoop to their level. I could give you details, and names, and copies of emails; but I won't. That's not my style. I don't do that.

But I'm feeling very low right now. I'm not sure how we're going to make it from month to month; and there's just no help out there for us. I'm about ready to cry.

There's one person out there who knows who is slandering me and speaking against me, and she won't tell me who my accusers are. I know from my husband's experience that there is nothing I can do. Once those lies are out there, you're simply screwed.

People will believe the lies,
they will repeat the lies,
they won't tell you what was said or who said it.

And your reputation will be destroyed, maybe even your ability to make a living for yourself and your loved ones.

Know that this can happen to anyone, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Because society will always believe the liars, and protect them; and you will be left out in the cold. They tell their lie, their slander about you, with no regard as to how it will affect you or your life. Then they go merrily on their way and live their life, having sent forth words that will destroy yours.

-- jd --