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.

Find out what happened on the show.

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July 29, 2008, 7:12 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: bjkaes

How could these people put their children through a life like this?!? Two college graduates sitting around watching their kids sleep on cold hard floors with no running water or food! Apply for state help or something! He could be a substitute teacher and make a $100 a day or she could waitress at night ! I would dig ditches before I would let my kids go hungry! Please give these people some birth control! what kind of quality of life for the kids is this!?! I am so infuriated by these lazy, selfish people!

He could substitute teach?   OMG.  I wouldn't want someone with his issues or lack of values anywhere near my child, or anyone's child.  Come to think of it, I don't even like thinking about him and his influence on his own children.   Perish that thought!

 

 

 

 

 
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July 30, 2008, 8:15 am PDT

They don't deserve it!

Quote From: bjkaes

How could these people put their children through a life like this?!? Two college graduates sitting around watching their kids sleep on cold hard floors with no running water or food! Apply for state help or something! He could be a substitute teacher and make a $100 a day or she could waitress at night ! I would dig ditches before I would let my kids go hungry! Please give these people some birth control! what kind of quality of life for the kids is this!?! I am so infuriated by these lazy, selfish people!
This adult couple with 2 college degrees between them do not deserve government help. They are not disabled in any way, they are not capable of getting jobs, they are just too lazy to work. Government funds are for the people who are truly needy. But I do agree that digging ditches or even working at a fast food place would be better than nothing. It doesn't matter what type of work that you do, honest pay for an honest days work is admirable no matter the type of job. If my husband lost his job and couldn't find another within his current level, he would do anything to keep money coming in, even if it was 7-11 or any mini mart and I would have total respect for him because of it. He would never allow for us to go hungry, be homeless, or to have no running water or beds to sleep in, no matter what he had to do. I would work but I can't, I am permanently disabled. It's people like me that deserve government assistance, in my case in the form of Social Security Disability. I worked for over 20 years and paid into it during the whole time, I have earned it!
 
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July 31, 2008, 3:43 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: meme22

Silly arguments about what "Christian" scripture means or doesn't mean is a subterfuge, just as his Dan's blather about what "God told him."

 

In fact, the fact that professing Christians themselves argue among themselves over the nonsense in this collection of words.   The only benefits this book brings to humanity is the fact that it provides a living for seminary graduates and others who cannot function in the working world.   And it provides fodder for professing Christians to use in lieu of having their own opinions based on the actual facts of a matter.  It's a collection of writings of ancients whose mental state of mind we cannot even verify, and "approved" as "canon" by a bunch of power-hungry men who wanted to further their influence over people by incorporating this belief system into a state religion, at the Council of Nicea.   That's all it's been used for since--a body of writings used to control people and make some rich in the process. 

 

Some of the teachings contained therein have validity.  But even those basic tenets, such as "Doing unto others" can also be found in other equally as prolific and enduring religious writings from Eastern thought and elsewhere.  These basic teachings, most of which you won't find in "Christianity" today if you visit or try to get involved in a church, are not unique to Christianity.  They endure because they are true to the human condition and what's best for us.

 

So, bringing this into this discussion of this derelict is a waste of time.   Believing or not believing in "the bible" and trying to sort out its myriad of conflicting or vague words and teachings is for those who have nothing better to do.   And as we can see, Dan here has nothing better to do with his time or energy.

 

The discussion is about a grown man who will not go out and subject himself to working for someone else in order to provide for his children.  And the discussion is about a mindless woman who thinks this is okay for the children she has brought into this world.   There are plenty more like them of every persuasion and creed.  They have no defense.   They only have obligations to become productive members of society and take care of their family's needs.   They are not special, as they believe they are.  They are not entitled, as they believe they are.  They are not victims, as they want to project.   

 

I thank Dr. Phil for highlighting this type of situation for the incredible insanity that it is.  I hope that some woman watching gets the courage to leave this type of situation and take care of her kids.  Because,  this kind of man will not change.  I know whereof I speak. 

We obviously view the Bible differently. To you, it's men's words. To me, it's God's Word. But, on this, we agree. Bible verses, taken out-of-context, are often used to justify some totally  bazaar, off-the-wall, out-there behaviors. And, in this case, it's biblical hair-splitting used as a subterfuge to justify Dan's lifestyle. A man's family is his wife and children.
 
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August 2, 2008, 1:36 am PDT

It won't do any good!

Quote From: meme22

Silly arguments about what "Christian" scripture means or doesn't mean is a subterfuge, just as his Dan's blather about what "God told him."

 

In fact, the fact that professing Christians themselves argue among themselves over the nonsense in this collection of words.   The only benefits this book brings to humanity is the fact that it provides a living for seminary graduates and others who cannot function in the working world.   And it provides fodder for professing Christians to use in lieu of having their own opinions based on the actual facts of a matter.  It's a collection of writings of ancients whose mental state of mind we cannot even verify, and "approved" as "canon" by a bunch of power-hungry men who wanted to further their influence over people by incorporating this belief system into a state religion, at the Council of Nicea.   That's all it's been used for since--a body of writings used to control people and make some rich in the process. 

 

Some of the teachings contained therein have validity.  But even those basic tenets, such as "Doing unto others" can also be found in other equally as prolific and enduring religious writings from Eastern thought and elsewhere.  These basic teachings, most of which you won't find in "Christianity" today if you visit or try to get involved in a church, are not unique to Christianity.  They endure because they are true to the human condition and what's best for us.

 

So, bringing this into this discussion of this derelict is a waste of time.   Believing or not believing in "the bible" and trying to sort out its myriad of conflicting or vague words and teachings is for those who have nothing better to do.   And as we can see, Dan here has nothing better to do with his time or energy.

 

The discussion is about a grown man who will not go out and subject himself to working for someone else in order to provide for his children.  And the discussion is about a mindless woman who thinks this is okay for the children she has brought into this world.   There are plenty more like them of every persuasion and creed.  They have no defense.   They only have obligations to become productive members of society and take care of their family's needs.   They are not special, as they believe they are.  They are not entitled, as they believe they are.  They are not victims, as they want to project.   

 

I thank Dr. Phil for highlighting this type of situation for the incredible insanity that it is.  I hope that some woman watching gets the courage to leave this type of situation and take care of her kids.  Because,  this kind of man will not change.  I know whereof I speak. 

Other women in the same situation can't watch the show! They have no TV and no cable to see it. Unfortunately this message will not get through to the people who do really need to see it. Oh, and they also have no electricity I'm sure.
 
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August 5, 2008, 8:23 am PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: jewelsf

Other women in the same situation can't watch the show! They have no TV and no cable to see it. Unfortunately this message will not get through to the people who do really need to see it. Oh, and they also have no electricity I'm sure.
They appeared to have electricity while Dr Phil'sameras were in their house. I noticed they still had lights. Apparently, their water came from a municipal source, rather than a well. And, they were billed for their water. Which was cut off when they got too far behind. As for TV, Dan probably doesn't believe in it.
 
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August 19, 2008, 4:01 am PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Dear Dr. Phil.

 

I need more explanation from Dan and Janna why Dan, especially, is jobless. I heard, in your program, that Dan, he said, is bankrupt.

 

You had better figure out that many families like Dan and Janna outside USA. I mean their family conditions of economy are similiar to Dan and Janna.

 

So, what Dan and Janna mention that God gives them is to be positive thinking. Within conversation, Dan said that he tried to find a job but no coming further.

 

I diasagree you switch the Dan's family problem because of their state of mind. I believe they do their much effort.

 

Anyhow, I appreciate you, Dr. Phil, then you invite the pastor and his funding society. This can help to overcome Dan's job problem.

 

Yours,

wed

 
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August 19, 2008, 12:51 pm PDT

Whatever happened to...

I guess Dad didn't get the part of the Bible that says "God helps those who help themselves".  God gives us all talents and what we do with them is up to us.  Dan's talent seems to be coming up with excuses to not work.
 
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August 20, 2008, 6:37 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: grandmashari

I guess Dad didn't get the part of the Bible that says "God helps those who help themselves".  God gives us all talents and what we do with them is up to us.  Dan's talent seems to be coming up with excuses to not work.
That quote is actually not in the Bible.
 
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August 28, 2008, 12:00 pm PDT

07/17 Living on a Prayer

Quote From: PennyLane78

That quote is actually not in the Bible.
You're right, It isn't in the bible.  It is a quote from Ben Franklin.  Maybe he is working from the bible verse of  Isaiah 25:4  which  pretty much says the opposite,  God helps the helpless. 
 

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March 15, 2009, 12:37 pm PDT

Living on a Prayer "couple"

I watched this show and was very surprised, to say the least, of how this family lives.  I just recently found out that he is someone who I graduated High School with and could not believe how he done his children like this.  Although, I didn't personally know Dan, I was wondering whatever happened to him and Janna and their seven children.  Tell me that they took the children away in protective services.
 
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