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Topic : 07/17 Living on a Prayer

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Created on : Friday, February 08, 2008, 12:25:06 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1
(Original Air Date: 02/15/08) What happens when a parent’s agenda becomes so extreme that his or her children are forced to live a harsh, stoic existence? Dan and Janna are a college-educated couple married for 15 years with seven children, ages ranging from 2 weeks to 14. They have no income, no heat, no running water and are about to lose their house. Dan and Janna believe that their primitive lifestyle is God’s will, and that they are being led by the Lord. Janna’s mom, Carol, and stepdad, Rich, are worried about the health of their grandchildren. Are they eating enough? Are they warm enough? They say because the children are home schooled, they live in a cult-like home environment, and are not exposed to the outside world. Carol and Rich are willing to bail this family out one last time, but why are Dan and Janna refusing the help? After eight failed businesses, why won’t Dan get a job to support his family? Where will they go when they are forced out of their home? Talk about the show here.

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candoeller711
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February 21, 2008, 3:44 am PST

God is testing....NEVER.

When this man said that God was testing him and his family I could NOT believe it!  God does NOT test or put people through trials. Just as it was with Job (in the Bible), God allowed Satan to test Job with the full knowledge that Job would come out as a better person. After all of Job's possessions and even family had been taken away Job bowed to the Lord and said "blessed be your name".  God knew that Job would still love him through all of this- He doesn't ever give us more than we can handle. 

 

But GOD NEVER TESTS US!!!  That is the devil....and ONLY the devil.  This man was sorely misguided.
 
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barackfan
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February 21, 2008, 1:02 pm PST

What is this thing about faith

Mistaking your own will - your own selfishness and narcissism for God's word is an old tale. This man is no different from the men in Utah and Arizona who decide who will wed young girls and which young boys will be tossed out of the community. This woman has no will or the sense God gives mothers. And these children are being spiritually, emotionally and physically abused in the name of what this man determines is God. Apparently the only one in the family with a voice is the same guy who believes he can raise a mango tree, tropical fish, and sell trick paint to support his family. His big issue is that he cannot work with or for anyone else. It is apparent that he has no social skill, no coping skills and very little conscience about his children. This guy believes he is following God's will - he's getting his way - over and over again and using Scripture to do it. Scripture is misused every day so that somebody can be powerful over others.
 
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black_belt
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February 21, 2008, 1:04 pm PST

you serious

Quote From: evniza

you must not have any kids either......would you make your children live like that?  To me it looks as though he is looking for a handout......my worry is only for the kids.....the parents have done this deliberately...i call it lazy and not taking responsibility for the children they have brought into this world.
I have children I was replying to a lady who said she agreed with the husband and family and said she "felt" for him and admired him for standing up for his "faith."    That was I I stated, are you serious, I couldn't believe anyone would agree and stand up for that quack.
 
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shijokingo

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February 21, 2008, 2:30 pm PST

Ignorant Christians

Don't any of you Christians know your own religion?  Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, "The birds don't work and yet the Lord feeds them, the flowers don't work either and yet the Lord clothes them."  That doesn't sound like He is encouraging anyone to work.  Of course that is bad advice but that's what He said.  Actually, nobody knows what He said because, apparantly, He was illiterate and couldn't write down even one lousy sentence.  We all know that God is a fantasy which is why Dr. Phil said "Pray to God and then start rowing".  Why bring "God" into it at all.  Why not just start rowing.  I suggest that the Christians either start following their nonsensical "scripture" (as Phil calls it) or just admit that it doesn't make any sense.  Dr. Phil said you shouldn't cherry pick from the Bible and yet that is what all Christians do, including Phil and his friend in the audience.   I seriously doubt that Jesus was the "get rich" motivational speaker that all the materialistic, hypocritical Christians try to make Him these days.  Dr. Phil, get back to Science and leave the superstition stuff in the distant past where it belongs.
 
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polarburg

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February 21, 2008, 5:45 pm PST

Cherry picking

Quote From: shijokingo

Don't any of you Christians know your own religion?  Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, "The birds don't work and yet the Lord feeds them, the flowers don't work either and yet the Lord clothes them."  That doesn't sound like He is encouraging anyone to work.  Of course that is bad advice but that's what He said.  Actually, nobody knows what He said because, apparantly, He was illiterate and couldn't write down even one lousy sentence.  We all know that God is a fantasy which is why Dr. Phil said "Pray to God and then start rowing".  Why bring "God" into it at all.  Why not just start rowing.  I suggest that the Christians either start following their nonsensical "scripture" (as Phil calls it) or just admit that it doesn't make any sense.  Dr. Phil said you shouldn't cherry pick from the Bible and yet that is what all Christians do, including Phil and his friend in the audience.   I seriously doubt that Jesus was the "get rich" motivational speaker that all the materialistic, hypocritical Christians try to make Him these days.  Dr. Phil, get back to Science and leave the superstition stuff in the distant past where it belongs.
 You're absolutely correct. Much of Christian theology has to do with  ...  

1. Attempting to explain away the nuttier parts of the Bible,
2. Ignoring the parts that make no sense, and
3. Justifying any number of God-approved acts of cruelty

As for No. 3, these include slavery (See Leviticus 25:44-46, Exodus 21:2-6 ) taking women to use as sex slaves (Exodus 21:20-21), putting homosexuals to death (Leviticus 20:13), torching the entire town if there's one unbeliever (Deuteronomy 13:13-19). etc., etc. etc. The list is a long, long one. These are not isolated examples. Like how about the Lord ordering Moses and his buddies to kill 3,000 people (Exodus 32:27-30) just a few pages after Moses brings down the "Thou shalt not kill" commandment? Some God.

Yes, there is a simple, obvious explanation for all of this -- the Bible was made up by humans.


   
 
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penzance
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February 22, 2008, 7:33 am PST

02/15 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: mrscynortiz

Could this man possibly be mentally ill?  I just can't help but feel that something is not right with him. I don't think he is rational or living in reality.  He is well educated and seems to be very nice.  I also noticed how his wife kept patting his leg or rubbing his shoulder.  She often jumped in to "rescue" him in conversation. I think she knows something is wrong with him also and takes care of him.  I hope for the children's sake, someone helps them.
I thought the same thing. He just doesn't seem to be with it, and his wife treating him like a scared child was very strange. I think you are right on.
 
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faeryedark
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February 22, 2008, 10:40 am PST

02/15 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: shijokingo

Don't any of you Christians know your own religion?  Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, "The birds don't work and yet the Lord feeds them, the flowers don't work either and yet the Lord clothes them."  That doesn't sound like He is encouraging anyone to work.  Of course that is bad advice but that's what He said.  Actually, nobody knows what He said because, apparantly, He was illiterate and couldn't write down even one lousy sentence.  We all know that God is a fantasy which is why Dr. Phil said "Pray to God and then start rowing".  Why bring "God" into it at all.  Why not just start rowing.  I suggest that the Christians either start following their nonsensical "scripture" (as Phil calls it) or just admit that it doesn't make any sense.  Dr. Phil said you shouldn't cherry pick from the Bible and yet that is what all Christians do, including Phil and his friend in the audience.   I seriously doubt that Jesus was the "get rich" motivational speaker that all the materialistic, hypocritical Christians try to make Him these days.  Dr. Phil, get back to Science and leave the superstition stuff in the distant past where it belongs.
Yes, God feeds the birds but he doesn't drop their food into their nests. They still have to gather it
 
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dallasfoster
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February 22, 2008, 11:57 am PST

Maybe he needs to think a little

Maybe I have gone crazy but the last time I checked the Bible says a man must provide for his family and follow the laws of the land he lives in.  Now I have been where this man is, when I left the service I had to Find a job to support my wife and  son and would do whatever i could find to do this, I worked multiple jobs sometimes not sleeping for days just so that my family had food on the table.  And in the last year I made some serious mistakes that led me to go to prison and learn some serious lessons. and now that I am out I have had a hard time to find a job but i found one and am looking for a second job so that I have enough money for me to live and so that i can provide for my children that live with their mother who doesn't let me know where they are. (I send money to her parents they give it to the kids)  But the point is that I do what ever i have to do including working at a local Hardees so that i can provide, i have even moved back in with my mother so as to cut down on bills so that i can provide for my kids on  the job i have now.  So why cant this college educated man and his college educated wife do the same as me a ex-service member, ex-con , father of two.  My god this is simple you stop believeing that things will land in your lap because God helps those who helps themselves, not those who wish on a star.  I'm listening to this man's excuses that he is following the path God has laid out for him but its not God's path that leads you to forsake your family by being slothful and listless, A godly man would work a back breaking job to provide for his family and revel in the fact that his family is healthy because he works is rear off and gives his all for them. Thats a man/woman that follows God's path, its the man/woman that does whatever he/she can do to keep his/her family healthy
 
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futenma
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February 22, 2008, 4:20 pm PST

Living On A Prayer

Quote From: penzance

I thought the same thing. He just doesn't seem to be with it, and his wife treating him like a scared child was very strange. I think you are right on.

Misery sure loves company.  How embarassing the wife must be trying to be a mother to her 7 plus that husband of hers.  What example is she setting for her daughters and wow, what a great example as a man must dad must be setting for his sons.  I can't believe the in-laws blew their savings on them.  Those kids should have been taken away a long time ago.

 
 
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peaceablefruit
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February 22, 2008, 5:27 pm PST

Treating the Bible as an a la carte

The family on this episode of Dr. Phil is an extreme example of what people do every day: they choose which parts of the Bible they want to follow and completely ignore the other parts, and they also do not take into context the verses that they are following. How many people claim to be Christians (which by the way means "follower of Christ" or doing things the way Jesus would likely do it) but do not follow the things that he taught, and show that by doing things like committing fornications on various levels including shacking up, lying, and getting drunk? (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) On the other hand, they refuse to do the things he commanded such as teaching others about the Bible and showing love of neighbor. (Matthew 22:37, 38;  28:19, 20) If people stopped talking about how they are Christians and started actually living like Christians, we would not have war, crime, thieves, drugs, murderers, rapists, child molestors, gangs, STDs, divorces, or anything. I can't wait until the time comes when we really won't have to live with these things in the world. (Psalms 37:10, 11, 29)
 
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