What did you think?
Congratulations to the courage of abuse survivor Michael Weston and the other survivors for sharing their stories of sexual abuse in Seventh Day Adventist schools. Each person who speaks up about sexual abuse chips away at the massive wall of denial and minimization of abuse by religious authority figures. Abuse happens in every denomination, every faith, every social institution because perpetrators look for positions giving them automatic respect by nature of their title or role. What better place to gain the trust of children and adolescents than in church and school settings? Abusers are hiding in plain sight. We can learn to see
through their disguises by educating ourselves about their grooming methods, personalities, and patterns of deceit. SNAP is a support network for survivors/victims of abuse by any religious authority figure, no matter their denomination or title. My son was molested at age 12 by a priest in our parish in Kansas.
I became a SNAP member following the suicide of my son Eric, 29, in October 1999. Families and friends of abuse victims are secondary victims of the abuse, as relationship problems arise and loved ones struggle to understand and give support to the abused child, teenager, or adult. These secondary victims are welcome to join our self-help network. As we share our stories, we find strength and solace. We can also be in the forefront of those seeking changes in abuse laws nationwide. Together we can hammer away at the twin barriers of denial and indifference. For more information, please go to our website: www.snapnetwork.org or call 1-877-762-7432.
Janet Patterson, Conway Springs, KS
Good Times,
Thank you for publishing this story. Children have a right to be heard and a right to be believed. They have a right to freedom from intimidation and fear. These men are no longer children, and I hope there will finally be, some healing brought to their suffering by justice and concession.
I hope those who read this article will remember to talk and listen to the children in their charge.
Parents, caretakers, and teachers need to communicate with young people about their rights, and what is appropriate for an adult to ask and do, and what is not. Silence and denial does not make things go away, instead it makes a safe breeding ground for perpetrators.
I too went to MBA during the years of the abuse. I understand the amount of power, the teachers, staff members, and the doctine held over us. I understand the need for those in the Church to want to protect their church, their school, and their memories. But these voices, of these very precious human beings, need to be heard and believed. The Conference needs to make ammends, both with apology and with money. They have the chance to put their people and their children before their pride.
Gloria Hargrave Hauser
Thank you for publishing this article and shedding light on a problem that is often swept under the rug in many denominations. The plaintiffs in the case against CCC are to be commended for their courage in stepping forward helping protect children from such depraved preditors.
Please note the spelling error in the article referencing my input.
Cheryl Cooney
CEASE
I attended Monterey Bay Academy in 1984-1985 (my freshman and half of my sophomore year). I became suspicious of Mr Nelson my sophomore year. The suspicion started when he brought all the sophomore boys in his biology class into his office and had us all hold a dried bulls penis as part of what he called a "manhood ritual" - he told us all what we were holding at the end after we passed it around and let out a disturbing gleeful giggle. Thinking back on it, I am guessing he was watching our reactions and eyeballing for potential victims.
I knew guys who had sunbathed at his house in the nude. He also had a very intense sexual energy, and was always cracking inappropriate sexual jokes. He hung around the boys dorm alot, like really way to much where it was noticible.
Finally, a good friend of mine told me a story of his close personal friend who had been groped by Mr Nelson while alone in his dorm room. That was enough for me to start telling anyone that would listen that Nelson was a perverted sicko. I told all of my friends and anyone else who would listen. When I went home for break I told my mom. She remembers coming to the campus and talking to some faculty about it (unfortunately she cannot remember who anymore as this was 20 years ago). They completely blew her off.
I was in a lot of trouble at the time and left MBA before Christmas (Dec 85) never to return.
OVer the years, I had totally forgotten about the whole thing until I got a call from Joe Scully about a year ago while he was investigating. He mentioned he was an attorney investing alleged sexual misconduct at Montery Bay Academy, the first thing out of my mouth was "Mr Nelson!". I offerred to testity to whatever I knew and gave him the names and contact info of some other students at the time. Unfortunately I had no first experience with Nelson and didn't know about Whitlake - so he couldn't use any of my experiences.
Nelson is a complete and utter piece of shit - the lowest form of human refuse on the planet. A sick predator who deserves whatever is coming to him. Too bad he didn't kill himself like Whitlake (ya I know, probably not very Christian of me but oh well).
I am praying for the defendants and anyone else involved in this. You have very remarkable courage for coming forward and I applaud you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Hopefully God can give you some peace and you can move on with your lives.
- Nick Snow
Bruce, I'd like to talk to you. I'll be in your area next month for . Lemme know how to get in touch
Anyone remember George Messer? Now thats one that ought to be taken out in the field!
I just want those of you who courageously took on justice against men who were so influential in our lives during those years (I attended 82-85)to know I admire your guts. I also want you to know I'm heartsick to read this report and that since I was close to a couple of you, I'm especially sad that I didn't know enough to have at least tried to make a difference for you. My thoughts and wishes are for you to find resolution, peace, and happiness.
Sincerely, Tammy March
Sadly . . . These guys are telling the truth. Mr. Whittlake nearly admitted as much with his final action. Like some of the others making comments here, I too attended MBA. I was there for four years, from 1981 to 1985. I knew both of these men fairly well. While I have no personal knowledge of the sexual allegations against Mr. Whittlake, I sadly have personal experience with Mr. Nelson. The story of; "the test of a man", nude sunbathing, never ending sexual suggestions/jokes, grabbing/fondling in all manner of locations - classrooms, cars, dorm rooms; all true AND experienced by me. Furthermore - and not the only episode: On one Friday evening when all the students were at a required vespers service in the sanctuary I was in my dorm room sick. Mr. Nelson came in - there was likely no one else in the building except the desk monitor. He asked how I was doing and offered - and without permission - began giving me a massage. Started out clean enough, but soon enough ended up inside my clothing fondling my genitals. Such a graphic telling/confession is not an easy or comfortable thing to do -But it IS the right thing to do! Further more - I do not want to remain silent. While Mr. Whittlake took perhaps the easy way out, Mr. Nelson needs to really be what he always claimed to be. He needs to "Take the test of a MAN." Not to unknowingly hold the dry shriveled pecker of a bull from his beloved Montana ranch, but " TO STAND UP LIKE A REAL MAN AND ADMIT WHAT HE HAS DONE!" After years of taking what he wanted, and in the process having a devastating effect on young people entrusted to his care - it is time to quit hiding, to quit denying - to do the right thing. Go before his accusers, go before his previous employers, go before his peers, go before his church, before his wife and his family, AND GO BEFORE HIS GOD - and admit his actions. I apologize to his wife and children - whom I know and respect - I did not want to do this for your sake . . . but I HAVE to do the right thing. And no matter how much you love him . . . it is wrong. You all know better!
I did speak to Mr. Scully on several occasions. While I agreed to testify if needed, I told him I was not interested in joining the lawsuit. While I hold the individuals responsible - and the Church if proven they in fact willfully looked the other way/hid anything/swept it under the rug {I don't know, I never told anyone then}. I still belong to the church and am not interested in 'making them pay' - the church that is. While heaven knows I could use the money - it just does not seem right to me. Even if neither of 'perps' did 'the Christian thing'/the right thing - I will.
I will not remain silent - for anyone - never again!
.
I was also a student at MBA from 1983-1985. I have nothing significant to add to this story other than to say, way to show your guts guys! I've been going in circles about these allegations trying to decide what to believe, especially about Nelson. Honestly, I can't possibly know the truth. But something about Brian Holland's testimony hit me strongly. Your words and stance taken are kind of a tipping point for my opinion on this. Way to man up dude. You've got grit.
Best regards to all involved,
David Lynch
I am so impressed that people are finally coming forward with all of this. I knew about the abuse when I went to school there. I was there the year that Whitlake left half-way through the school year. One of my best friends also complained about Nelson. I am so enraged and angry that NO ONE WOULD EVER LISTEN TO ANY OF US! I had the same thing happen with another teacher there and no one listened to me. Of course one of the teachers I told was Nelson...that was before I knew about him.
I haven't heard anyone else complain about this other teacher that abused me which makes me hesitant still to talk about it. He did admit to what he did and quietly disappeared only to go teach in a public school. He didn't think there was anything wrong with what he did, that's what was so disturbing.
Quite honestly my life has been destroyed by it. I can't have relationships without always having flashbacks of him. I've been in therapy ever since and just now I am starting to gain some perspective on it all and stop beating myself up for what happened.
The conference said I was responsible, that I had an affair with him. I WAS ONLY 17! I ache to have my life not affected by all this. I ache for everyone else who has had to endure the abuse at MBA. People that even know about what happened with me wonder why I can't go back to church...like, go figure!
He even did stuff to me in a church!
If anyone has a need for still verifying your story, I would do it. Just give me a way to contact you.
Thank you for being brave. At least I know I was not alone.
I too attended M.B.A from 1984-1988. Although I have no first hand experience with Whitlake or Nelson (I'm a girl) I felt compelled to comment. It was well known that Nelson would have boys laying out naked at his house, and that Whitlake was supplying alcohol to students. In biology clas Nelson constantly made references to how big his genitalia was and how Mrs. Nelson liked it etc. TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE. We girls used to joke that he was gay. Turns out not gay, just a pedophile.
Where were the other faculty members when this was happening?! If it was well known by the students that something was not right, surely Church, Baerg, Mrs. Nelson, Voth had to know. Where there is smoke there is usually fire. Maybe they were too busy with more important things like chasing us around on atvs, confiscating our walkmans and making us feel like we were going to hell in a handbasket. Seems to me that the faculty turned a blind eye. If that is the case they ALL should be taken out back and shot.
Is the SDA church no better than the Catholics shuffling their pedofile priests around instead of putting a stop to it? Nelson is still "teaching" at the Weimar Institute, and get this, teaching massage. At the very least Nelson should be thrown out of the church with no pension.
I suspect there are more victims in this case and hope they find the courage to speak out. They should know that they have much support, that they are important, precious human beings. Their self-worth cannot be measuredd by these piece of shit predators.
I attended from 85-87. I remember Nelson lecturing in class. I always thought with a wife who looked like that and his mannerisms, he must be gay ! Turns out he was.
how have they continued to turn such a blind eye!?! Those people who didn't listen are just as guilty!
Oh my Dear Lord! I am just sick about this! I attended MBA 62-64 and never had an inappropriate hand laid on me by either a man or a woman. I am sick because my two years at MBA were the two best years of my educational career. I thank God that these men had the guts to come forward and tell their story and I will pray for them. I will pray they win their lawsuit and that God will give them a measure of peace.They are to be commended for bringing this outrage to light!
I am so sorry to those of you that suffered these men. I have a very sick feeling that I now can understand the pain and unhappiness of some of my friends. Strange thing, don't you think that all of us knew about Mr. Nelson's deck and we all knew about his strange obsession with sexual organs, yet for me anyway I never stopped to wonder why or question it. For some unknown reason it was just the way it was.
Why is it that teenagers are so caught up in drama and self inhibitions that they loose the ability to voice their pain?
How can we as parents teach our children that they never have to suffer people like this and that a voice does matter. Thank God, even 20 years later.
To all of you, those who have spoken up and to those of you who can not. My prayers are with you and I hope you can get on with your life knowing that your friends love you no matter what.
Rumor has it that Mr Nelson settled out-of-court through a mediator for a lesser charge. I'm not sure what to think of this. His wife apparently announced at his current church that he "has been exonerated and free of any trial stuff that has been floating around for at least 2 years". I truly hope this isn't true. He deserves to really pay for what he has done to so many innocent boys.
I think these teachers are getting off easy with only a civil suit. They should have faced criminal charges and gone away for a long time. What penalties are the other staff and administrators facing for turning a blind eye? Nothing!!
I hope these plaintiffs get everything they deserve, including plenty of counseling, so they can pull their lives together.
I wonder how many other abused students are out there and afraid or embarrassed to come forward.
It is wonderful that former MBA students are supportive of these plaintiffs. I hope you will continue posting and coming forth with information.
Wow, some really great responses, some of these names I have not seen in a very long time =).
I have to second the people who wonder how in hell this could have gone on for so long while the church and faculty claimed ignorance.
Seriously, are you telling me that Mr Baerg with his night vision goggles and spy gear and ATV's didn't know any of this was going on?
And Harvey Voth was confronted directly by students and parents on more than one occasion. WTF were these people thinking?
How can they even claim to be Christians?
Here's a quote from Jesus on the subject of harming children and innocents -
"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matthew 18 6
Where is the outrage?!
On a personal note, if this crap had happened to one of my kids the perp would be dead and it wouldn't be pretty...
Nelson was there for 30 years... can you imagine how many potential victims there are over 30 years?!
Anyway, enough of my rambling.
If anyone here wants to get a hold of me I can be reached by email at pankration@aol.com
Peace out folks, pray for the victims, pray for justice and keep a close eye and ear on your kids.
I would like to thank everyone for their support.
Wow, how astonishing is it that we are so quick to hang the "guilty" and not as quick to forgive. Nick, I think that while you are posting verses from the Bible you shouldn't leave out how Christ forgives EVERYONE. Regardless of the sin. If these men are guilty then God will judge them according to His will. I read these stories and think why did these people continue to go into a situation where alcohol and sexual abuse went on. Why would the ones who went to the homes of these men continue to go after such an experience. I went to MBA and I remember a certain guy who is part of the lawsuit who tried to get others to Whitlakes house by saying "oh he always has wine coolers there". With God everything is possible including healing from such a terrible pain. I feel for those involved on ALL sides, but it sounds as though I may be the only one who does.
well boys i think your all liars , big time liars, you should shoot your fuckin ghead off, i wen to that school in the late 60's and mr nelson spent alot of time alonw with me,, and pal your a liar,, and if you want to get a asswhipping like you havent had before you and your lil lying buddies keep it up,you will wish you had all killed yourselves, how dare you lil lowlifes act like a bunch of sissies,? your all a bunch of liars, and by god i hope you all go to hell, and i will gladly meet you there to make your life a lot more miserable, x mba student and proud of it, 51 and a grumpy old biker try finding out what !1% means liars
Anonymous, you are right - I am not displaying a Christlike attitude in my vengeful musings. You also right that ultimately God will be the judge of these men, as he is the judge of us all.
My quote was to point out that Jesus - being the greatest forgiver of all, did no often speak in such harsh terms. Obviously there were a few things which pushed his buttons and leading a child astray, destroying his faith in goodness was one of worst.
Did you read what Brian Holland wrote? He was a victim and he is willing to forgive, but has anyone even admitted any wrongdoing? Has anyone owned up and asked for forgiveness? There is no forgiveness without repentance.
I ask again, where is the outrage?
I can't understand sympathy with the "other side" unless you don't truly believe the allegations.
As to some of the victims tempting others - ya that is wrong but that is the nature of the crime. Perversion spreads, that is why it is so heinous. It is a generational crime, and it destroys lives. Imagine the lives it has destroyed - imagine the children of the victims whose lives are potentially destroyed. Imagine the potential new predators that have been created.
You are right though, ultimately it is between the perpetrators, the victims, and God.
May God have mercy on their souls, eh? I think I'm done posting here.
To everyone posting here and reading this. I would like to be clear I AM outraged. At first I was just stunned. I mean I've heard rumors over the last year, but when I read this report it was like I got kicked in the gut. I thought about throwing some blame around and getting really angry and telling everyone I know how sick Nelson is...but why? What is more effective? Me, taking on anger and resentment, and spreading bitterness? I hate having that stuff inside me now.
Now I do not know the facts. I cannot be the judge. I belive my friends, be that wrong or right. But my point is, the past is the past. No one can go back and change what's been done, whether it is the alleged abuse or if anyone is making anything up.
What I see is a powerful way to deal with abuse, is to see to it that it NEVER, ever happens again! I am committed, now, to that end. Being in the field of education puts me in an exceptional position to adress this. I have already shared with my high school students, how precious they are and they have a voice that must be heard, that they should never endure, or suffer any kind of abuse, NO MATTER WHAT. I told them to talk to other adults and keep talking until they are heard because there's going to be someone like me who is fearless in the pursuit of justice for them. I will protect, support, educate, all of "my kids" as long as I have a breath in my body. I'm all about Love and Empowerment and throwing stones, judgements, namecalling and muckraking will not achieve what I'm committed to. I will leave judgement to god and the courts.
I urge each of you to take this on as well. What we need in this world is commitment to what's going to create a better future for our children and their children.
I love you all,
Tammy March
Amen Tammy! Just to clarify, my comments about outrage were not targetted towards anyone in particular or any posters here. I was talking to the people adults knew this was going on and did nothing and now to those in the church who are trying to sweep it under the rug. OK I really am done posting now =).
Church settles Monterey Bay Academy sex-abuse suit
By CATHY SMITH
Sentinel staff writer
LA SELVA BEACH — Five former students at Monterey Bay Academy have settled a lawsuit against the school for $3.5 million, after alleging two former teachers molested them 20 years ago.
The suit was filed against the teachers and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, which runs the boarding school on the coast.
The plaintiffs alleged the teachers routinely plied them with drugs and alcohol and special favors to molest them. If they reported it, they were shunned as administrators chose to look the other way, the men claim.
Joe Scully, the plaintiffs’ Los Angeles-based attorney, said Friday some 20 witnesses were ready to testify at trial, scheduled for August. But the suit was settled Thursday after three days of mediation in Los Angeles. The church admitted no guilt.
One of the teachers, Lowell Nelson, retired in 1998 after teaching biology at the school for 30 years. Nelson, who now lives in El Dorado County, denies doing any more than "goosing" the boys and sunbathing with them in the nude.
Ronald Wittlake taught music and moved on to teach disabled children in Palmdale. He committed suicide days after the lawsuit was filed in late 2003 and media accounts of the allegations surfaced. He was 50 and had been a student of Nelson’s.
The victims now live in other parts of the state.
Michael Weston, now 36, was a 15-year-old student at the school in 1984 when, he says, he was given intoxicants, raped and beaten, and ostracized when he complained.
"(Administrators) had full knowledge, but they chose to allow these perpetrators to operate and just saw kids like me as strategic collateral damage," Weston said in a phone interview Friday. "They decided that standing up for what was right was not worth the exposure.
"Nothing can bring back my late teens and early 20s. They were a living nightmare."
Weston says two years of counseling has helped immeasurably, and that the church has agreed to provide free counseling to victims.
"The thing I’m happiest about, unquestionably, is that substantial changes have been made in their policies," he said. "I wouldn’t discuss money until I saw that."
Jesse Ruiz, a San Jose lawyer who represents Nelson, says the former teacher is not paying any money and denies the allegations.
Only Weston alleged significant molestation by Nelson, Ruiz said.
"It’s a lot of money, and I thought the conference was quite generous on a couple of the claims," he said. "But there is a benefit to putting the litigation behind and closing the book on this ancient history."
Plaintiff’s attorney Scully called the settlement fair, and said it would have been irresponsible of him to put some of his clients through the trauma of a trial.
But he said the abuse by both teachers was egregious, and that several witnesses claimed Nelson molested them by touching them; only Weston cla
Regarding the paragraph,
"No religion has escaped allegations of sexual abuse....Whenever children are entrusted to adults, be they teachers, daycare workers, babysitters, family members or church leaders, child abuse can happen. Such cases are rare and usually isolated" --
Such cases are *not* rare & isolated. Research shows that between 25% & 33% of adults were molested or raped by someone they knew before they were 18. The article was great - but to say that such cases are rare, is to minimize the mind-boggling seriousness of the issue of child molestation.
Kathy Downing, M.A., LMFT
Burbank, California
Can anyone explain to me how money is going to help these supposed (Im not saying it didn't happen)victims heal? Does money buy happiness? Isn't the love of money the root of evil? Does it buy back years lost? Or peace of mind? Will this money be put to good use (educating children about abuse), or will it be thrown away on material objects for instant gratification, which if these accusations are true is what got us here in the first place.
If I were to receive money as a settlement it would be put to my past and present therapy bills, my hospital bills (after attempting suicide) and ambulance bills.
Money in itself does not bring happiness, but it does allow for treatment which is essential. I know myself that I will most likely be in therapy for the rest of my life...on and off. Also, having money does relieve some of the extra stressors in life. The idea is that if the conference isn't admitting any guilt, they should pay in some way.
I personally have been to afraid to file a lawsuit, because I don't want to go through everything again and risk not being believed one more time. That was as painful as the abuse.
Be careful in all your ways of judging. It hurts like hell.
Has anyone heard anything about Tom Fowler who was at a Seventh Day Adventist School in Nevada, Iowa?
Regarding the molestation stats posted by Kathy Downing, where do those come from?
Ditto to Tammy March's perspective.
Can money buy happiness? Contrary to popular belief, I suspect it sometimes can. What can the fine do to improve the school system? I think the new faculty behavior policy stated at the end of the settlement article is a good indication.
Does money buy happiness? No, but unfortunately it is the only recourse these individuals and their families have because of the statute of limitations, and I believe they should get as much money as possible. I cannot fathom why there is a statute of limitations on molestation. There isn’t one on murder and I think molestation is in a lot of ways is worse then murder. It leaves the victims wishing they were dead. They stripped away their youth and innocence. Since it is the only recourse they have is a monetary settlement, I think that the church got off easy with 3.5 million. These children were violated in ways I cannot even imagine.
I wish there was something I could have done at the time. It seemed to be common knowledge that Nelson was a pervert, and I heard rumors all the time that he was molesting boys. The stories that I read here sound very familiar although I never heard any names attached to them. None of this stuff happened to me except for the “manhood test”. I really didn’t see what Nelson got out of watching me hold a bull’s dried up penis. I suppose he was looking for reactions from those who did it and looking for boys to prey upon. I did sunbathe once up on his roof, but Nelson wasn't there at that time.
It really disgusts me that Nelson gets away with it all even admitting guilt. Nelson needs to be castrated and thrown in prison for the rest of his natural born life. I have 4 children and if anyone ever did anything like this to them God forgive me for what I would do.
I was talking with a classmate of mine (we both attended MBA)about why people can't just pick themselves up and go on with their lives. Terrible things happen to many people in this world and many manage to go on to productive lives - even greatness. It seems like there is sooooo much hatred and feelings of blame - so much bitterness about this issue. She works with youth in jeopardy and this is part of her response to me. And I wanted to share it with my fellow MBAer's? if only to help those of us ditzy enuff not to understand the "why". It may or may not help but for what it is worth - here it is....
"This is really a tuff subject....you raised alot of questions and there are many many schools of thought on it. Abuse DOES - in one way or another make a lasting impression on a person....and then there is the question of just what is abuse? What defines abuse? The whippings I got as a kid - by teachers and parents - today are considered abuse. Back then - it was just meant spare the rod - spoil the child. When abused, people react in many different ways. Some go into themselves and beat themselves up for the rest of their lives - because they in some way feel responsible for the abuse. Others act out (drink too much, do drugs, outward anger, etc) and usually get locked up in jails and/or mental institutions. There are people that - for what ever reason - have decided to let events run their lives. Many of then don't even know that they are being driven by their "demons". When they start to realize that.......they usually don't want to or can not take responsibilility and blame, blame, blame. The blame consumes them and gives them license to do/continue their "antisocial" behavior. Once SOME of these people come to terms with life on life's terms they start to heal their past...see where the negative can be turned into an asset...and get on with the business of living....but until they do that.....they will forever lay blame and EVERYTHING in their life will be touched and bruised by it. Hope I didn't get too "out there" with that explaination. Was the best I could do!!"
This helped me understand somewhat the backlash and anger so many years after the event. I will continue to keep those who were hurt by these two men in my prayers. That you will find peace and the ability to forgive those who hurt you and that you will with God's help and the support of your friends and family be able to move forward with your lives.
Hugs, an oldie but goodie from "69"
We move on because we are survivors. Do these awful events still affect us even if we forgive? Yes! How can it not? Innocence was lost. Anger supressed. Time after time our experiences were denied by those who were supposed to help us.
I am a successful person. I have moved on in life. Some of us haven't had any support from family or friends. And definitely not from the teachers from MBA or members of the church. They have denied all.
I guess if you have not experienced the abuse it is hard to understand how it sinks into your soul and affects your everyday life.
I also think those of us who became victims likely started with some sort of low self-esteem to begin with. Abusers are sensitive to those in need and take advantage of that fact.
I am successful. I continue on with my life like many others do. Yet I, like many others who have been abused, still ache inside to have a life where relationships can be had without the memories of the abuse affecting my relationships. I have a choice to be happy, but sometimes no matter how hard I try, the depression still sinks in. Not to mention there are plenty of studies out there that abuse affects the nervous system and can change the physiology of your body and alter your moods!
Ok, yeah that was kinda long. But at least I got it out. Thanks! 1990
Has anyone heard of Larry Mixon, a school teacher in the south that preyed on young boys? He taught in and was protected by Adventist schools. E-mail me at janistp2000@yahoo.com.
Thanks
I'd like to add to the above comments regarding why some abuse victims are unable to "move one."
Physical and sexual abuse indeed have lasting and devastating effects on their victims. In order to deal with the pain, the subconscious mind creates defense mechanisms. Very young children who are abused for prolonged periods of time often develop multiple personalities as a way of "escaping" the pain. Other abuse victims, as mentioned above, build different walls. Some lose the ability to trust others or sustain relationhsips at work or home. These people walk away from happiness and success--not having it at all is less painful then having it stripped away. Others self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Some over eat or don't eat at all. Others become workaholics and over-achievers as a way to re-invent themselves. All of these processes are subconscious.
The subconscious mind is a powerful entity. In simple terms, the subconscience is unable to sift fact from fiction. So even if, consciously, a victim knows he or she was not at fault, not responsible for and did not deserve the abuse, those feelings of guilt and self-loathing continue to lurk below the surface. Abuse victims face a lifetime of therapy, tricky relationships and constant battles within themselves. It's a very, very painful existence.
Those who have made it through have had safe environemnts in which to talk about their experiences, and extremely supportive friends and families. And, yes, litigation often helps a victim heal the scars of abuse.
Thanks,
Money may not buy happiness, but in this case it punishes the guilty parties which gives some measure of satisfaction to the victims. The knowledge that someone finally paid for the crimes might help them heal.
As for Nelson, I think he should have to personally contribute a huge amount of money toward the settlement. He should suffer personal consequences for his actions. By settling the case, Nelson and the church do not admit guilt. I have heard that Nelson admitted sunbathing nude with the boys. In his own mind, there is nothing wrong with that. Can you imagine what would happen today if a teacher did that?
If the case had gone to trial, Nelson would have been found guilty and carried the label all his life. As it is now, he has his supporters and many, many people will never believe he did these things.
Do these predators ever really stop? The only reason this was a civil and not criminal case was because it took 20 years for these men to come out. The statute of limitations in CA is 10 years for sexual crimes - our friend retired in 1998.
There has to be victims from 1995-1998. I know it is extremely painful for you but if anyone here wants to try and put this scumbag where he belongs, in prison, please send an email. I am going to try and get a list of victims and witnesses and turn it over to authorities for investigation. You can start by just sending an email and we can go from there. The email account is sdajustice@yahoo.com. God bless all those who have the courage to come forward and see that justice is done.
The fact that the case was settled for such a low price is evidence of the hypocrisy that perverts the entire structure and staff of the SDA church. The low price is also indicative of the low self worth of the abused. Somehow, I guess I always knew that organized religion was bullshit. I'm sorry I or my family and friends ever dropped a fucking penny into a "offering" plate since that's one of the places where the money obviously goes. The leadership of the SDA church are obviously rotten at thier core if they are now in the business of harboring child molesters. The SDA church, Nelson, Whitlake,Voth,Baerg, Mr. Church,are some weak-ass pieces of shit.
Paul Edgar
MBA 84-85
www.adventist.org see "Adventist Beliefs" - "Family Violence My comments are in parentheses
"There is no room among Christ's followers for tyrannical control and the abuse of power or authority."
(that our lawyers can't weasle us out of for a reaonable price)
"It is our belief that the Church has a responsibility—
1. To care for those involved in family violence and to respond to their needs by:
a. Listening to and accepting those suffering from abuse, loving and affirming them as persons of value and worth. (...equal to the price resulting from a negotiated settlement in which the abuser is fully acquitted)
b. Highlighting the injustices of abuse and speaking out in defense of victims both within the community of faith and in society. (...uh nope, we fight to protect the abusers)
c. Providing a caring, supportive ministry to families affected by violence and abuse, seeking to enable both victims and perpetrators to access counseling with Seventh-day Adventist professionals where available or other professional resources in the community.
(no thanks, no more SDA professionals thank you)
d. Encouraging the training and placement of licensed Seventh-day Adventist professional services for both church members and the surrounding communities.
(licensed to molest SDA youth)
e. Offering a ministry of reconciliation when the perpetrator's repentance makes possible the contemplation of forgiveness and restoration in relationships. Repentance always includes acceptance of full responsibility for the wrongs committed, willingness to make restitution in every way possible, and changes in behavior to eliminate the abuse.
(...hell, we'll get you a full acquittal and a new job in massage!)
f. Focusing the light of the gospel on the nature of husband-wife, parent-child, and other close relationships, and empowering individuals and families to grow toward God's ideals in their lives together.
(I hope that doesn't mean the same "light" as the light on Nelson's sundeck?)
g. Guarding against the ostracism of either victims or perpetrators within the family or church community, while firmly holding perpetrators responsible for their actions.
(ok this is a blatant lie)
S odomy
D eserves
A cquittal
These things go on everyday, in our schools, both private and public. I know there are still problems with such problems in the CCC conference and they are not investigated correctly. In fact, in the article when Karen Oswald said they put staff on administrative leave is not true, I know because my wife and I had a problem with a teacher and he was never put on admin leave. In fact our child got so sick over the whole thing she just didn't want to go to school anymore. The conference didn't care, and when they investigated the situation, it was all done over the phone. No one ever got in a car, drove out to the school to see what was really going on.
Thank you Paul for your valuable insight..I remember you well..When we left the school half way through the year..your father drove us home..I lived near you.We all cried as your father prayed to GOD for healing and guidance....for answers that the faculty never gave him...We all cried and prayed together on that long dark trip home in the middle of the night.
I will never forget the painful silence. I was run out of the school like a dog. I don't remember your story...I never asked..I didn't want to know.
I remember
The post which stated that the statute of limitation for criminal prosecution of Lowell Nelson is ten years is not correct.
Lowell Nelson can be prosecuted for any sexual abuse of a minor that occurred on or after January 1, 1988. Anything before that date, he is home free, and his wife Arladell can brag all she wants that he was "exonorated." (What a farce; she is morally almost as guilty as he is because she ignored his conduct for all those years.)
But, with even one complaining witness who describes sexual abuse after January 1, 1988, law enforcement will take the case and begin an investigation. Once law enforcement begins an investigation, it is likely many more victims will be discovered. (Of course, law enforcement will not have the help of people like Bob Baerg, whose office was next door to Nelson's for 30 years -- but who did not see a thing!)
When Nelson is prosecuted, other witnesses who he abuse in the pre-1988 time frame can testify (just like in the Michael Jackson trial).
Nelson (aka Uncle Lowell) thinks he is smarter than all of us. He groped, molested, and orally copulated dozens of boys, right under the very noses of the staff and faculty of MBA for 30 years. He is a master criminal -- a genius -- who got away with his crimes so successfully and for so long, that he now arrogantly even tells himself that he is innocent.
If anyone reading this was sexually molested or orally copulated by Uncle Lowell after Jan. 1, 1988, you need to report him to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff. Remember, when other child molesters see pictures of Uncle Lowell in handcuffs and in a jail jumpsuit, hanging his head in shame, some of them will be scared off. If we can prevent even one child from becomming a victim, isn't that worth it?
That is correct. Sex abuse occurring in 1988 or after in California can be prosecuted if charges are filed within one year of the abuse being reported to authorities. The California Legislature passed a law basically eliminating the statute of limitations on sex abuse, but the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in 2003.
This Good Times article is very troubling and there have been some very powerful comments made here by former students and others. In particular, Brian Holland's comments really struck home. I would like to further clarify the state of the law in connection with the statute of limitations on child abuse/molestation. Generally, the prior comments have been correct.
In 1994, the legislature enacted Penal Code Sec. 803(g) which states:
(1) Notwithstanding any other limitation of time described in this chapter, a criminal complaint may be filed within one year of the date of a report to a California law enforcement agency by a person of any age alleging that he or she, while under the age of 18 years, was the victim of a crime described in Section 261, 286, 288, 288a, 288.5, 289, or 289.5.
(2) This subdivision applies only if both of the following had occurred:
(A) The limitation period specified in Section 800 or 801 has expired.
(B) The crime involved substantial sexual conduct ... and there is independent evidence that clearly and convincingly corroborates the victim's allegation.
Penal Code sec. 800 states that there is a six year limitation on filing charges for sexual crimes against a minor. The statute initially allowed California prosecutors to file molestation charges against anyone, as long as the charges were filed within one year of a victim reporting the matter to law enforcement, even if the six year limit from Penal Code sec. 800 had expired. Penal Code sec. 803 was later challenged on ex post facto grounds, which basically means a law that is retroactive, i.e. that affects facts or legal relationships that have existed prior to the enactment of the law. Ex post facto is a Latin term which means "after the deed."
The U.S. Supreme Court in Stogner v. California (2003) 539 U. S. 607, overturned Penal Code sec 803 in part. The Supreme Court decided that Penal Code sec. 803(g) violated ex post facto principles when it was applied to crimes that were already time-barred when Penal Code sec. 803(g) became effective on January 1, 1994.
The U.S. Supreme Court also held that the ex post facto clause did not prevent the State from extending time limits for the prosecution of future offenses, or for prosecutions not yet time barred.
Since the decision in Stogner, CA appellate courts have held that Penal Code section 803(g) is an extension statute when applied to crimes which were not time-barred on January 1, 1994, and thus permissible under Stogner.
The effect of subdivision (g) is to permit prosecution of sexual offenses with a juvenile victim within six years of the offense or one year of the victim's report of the offense, whichever is later. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer instructed state wide prosecutors that, in his opinion, since there was a valid six year statute of limitations in effect in 1994, that any crime committed six years prior to 1994 could be prosecuted.
Perfect explanation, thank you.
AN OPEN LETTER
Dearest One Son,
The hole in my heart caused by the lost years, not knowing what caused your anger, distrust and absolute brokenness is larger than words can express. Nothing can ever replace the years you lost and we lost as a family. Nothing can tell of my absolute heartache, pain, dispair, and feeling of failure that I still carry.
How uneducated and blind I was to what happened to you! No, you didn't tell me what happened; but looking back, I should have known. As a 4th generation Adventist with an Adventist-only education, working most of my life for Adventist institutions, I was beyond ignorant, cloistered by a system that I believed was good and true and honest. Instead of sending you to a "safe, nuturing haven" I instead sent you unknowning to hell at MBA. WHERE WAS MY GOD? Why did my God allow these evil men to do such unspeakable things to you? WHY DIDN'T THE GOD THAT I LOVE AND SERVE PROTECT YOU? You have been robbed in the worst way--your best years were taken from you and no amount of money on earth can replace them.
Thank you, my dear son, for your forgiveness, love and stand against evil.
All my love forever, Mom
***
How I wish that parents could bring a lawsuit for "Loss of Family" and unspeakable "pain and suffering." I was robbed and beaten by these MBA perverts (and the menand women who protected them). They took away my first-born, precious son for many years! They broke MY FAMILY!
To all of you who are reading this column, I ask these things:
A. Hold tight to your children! Keep wide open the channel of communication.
B. Do not assume that ANY organization is safe. Educate yourself on signs of victimization as well as ploys of child predators.
C. Somehow make certain that child predators receive not just Church punishment (WHAT punishment???) but justice given by the laws of our land--jail!
D. Pray for me and the many others like me whose trust in God himself has been shaken to the core. I am holding on to God only by my fingernails now--and I know that only He can heal my son, my family and me.
To all of you who have expressed your support here and will in the future, I send my heartfelt "thank you." Those victimized at MBA were rejected as "not fitting in" because they reported the behavior of Whittlake and Nelson to adults they trusted. I believe a great fear in coming forward is to again be rejected--a pain those of us not in their position can begin to understand!
I love you mom.
I went to MBA back in the 70's. Don't kid yourselves, this stuff was happening with Nelson back then as well.
Ok, I have thought long and hard about posting this statement, but I feel like I am being eaten alive by keeping this inside one more second. I hear the stories of these men and KNOW that they are true.
I am a female who was sexually abused by a male teacher there. He was asked to leave quietly and he did. But I have wondered in the 15 years since if I was the only freak it happened to. I doubt it by reading everyone else's experience.
I am angry because though he left MBA he went on to teach at another public high school. He went on with his life and mine was stagnated for many years. I just want to know if anyone else ever experienced any abuse by Ivan Mallernee. I told three teachers there who completely ignored me and told me that I was making it up. Of course I wasn't. Mr. Nelson was one of the teachers I foolishly told (before I knew about him). Therapy has helped me, but I still struggle so much with who I am and what has happened and WHY NO ONE HELPED! Is there anyone else out there that knew anything or experienced anything horrible from Ivan Mallernee? Even now, 15 years later, I feel guilty for saying anything on here, but for once I must.
I appreciate the bravery of the others who have come forward here. You are such strong people and so deserve to be happy and have the life that you want. Hang in there!
1990
malernee was in on the game...he was there..in on the drugs, alcohol, scene with Ron W. after hours in the boys dorm....
Dear anonymous 1990, first let me say I am so sorry to hear what you've been through. I was a four-year student and also class of 90. In fact I was in West Winds and I got to say I was stunned when I found out about Mallernee. I, and many of my friends, was pretty close to the guy and we never saw anything. I'm not calling you a liar, the truth is I also knew Nelson really well, and aside from some inappropriate joking, I never heard of him doing anything like what he is being accused of, but then I read these postings and holy crap, I had no idea! I'm trying to wrap my head around all these claims. It sounds like we didn't know many of the people at MBA as well as we thought. But I think we deserve to know the truth. And you shouldn't have to carry that all on your own. So if you're ready to talk, I for one would like to listen.
Dear Readers,
Since this story ran on May 19, we have been blown away by the amount of response. Thank you. Your comments have made it clear that we have barely scratched the surface of the MBA saga. Thus, we have now started to write a longer, magazine-length article for national publication. As journalists, we are motivated to tell this story far and wide and to see justice served, if only in words. Please help us. We would like to talk to each of you. Anonomity will be honored for those who request it. Please contact one of us at the emails below if you would like to tell us what you know. Thanks.
lchesky@sbcglobal.net
bwilley@gdtimes.com
Dave, you are an idiot.
I believe "Dave" is a contrived character by someone in a defense posture in this case. Most bikers I know have been victims of sexual abuse as kids and are very supportive to victims and outraged by perps. Social life in jail says it all-What happens to child molesters in jail??
I agree Don. I would just like for this jackass to give me a call. Even better, stop by my house for a visit. As for "Dave" my phone # is 530-257-1145, and my address is 1404 Riverside Dr. Susanville, CA. I hope I didn't too big of words for you. If you did go to MBA, you should get your money back.
why even waste your time and energy on a guy like "dave."
I don't like to be disrespced
So does anyone think Nelson has read any of this? I don't know how he goes on. How can you live your life in such denial?
Hey, the also 90 person, would you share your first name? 1990
At Glendale Academy our Bible teacher and counselor started a sexual relationship when the girl was at the end of her freshman year or at the beginning of her sophmore year.
The relationship lasted for 3 to 4 years. The Bible teacher was married with a pretty wife and 2 kids. She taught at the Academy, also. Sometime after we graduated as seniors the family broke up and the wife and 2 kids were picked up by her mother who was a bible worker at a church in another state.
The girl (the student involved with the Bible teacher) lived alone with her mother her in an apartment near Glendale Academy. The mother would work evenings and nights and seemed to be out of town alot.
The whole Academy student body realized what was gong on. In fact, students would pile into cars on school nights and on weekend nights and drive by the girls apartment and his car would always be there.
The principal knew, all the parents knew, and the conference office knew something was up.
The pastors at Glendale city, Vallejo drive, and Eagle Rock churches were all aware of what was going on.
The girl later admitted to a few of us that they just fucked for hour’s every night.
At one time there were a lot of rumors that another girl in our class joined them to make-up a 3-some sex party.
1990 Anonymous; I'd like to talk to you but not on the message board. If you want you can send me an email my address is blucali111@yahoo.com.
A note from Michael Weston-
I feel I have to let you all know how deeply grateful I am with the response and heartfelt understanding you have shown here. Thanks will never really tell the story. All have given validity and recognition to our silent efforts. Changes must take place..a new generation awaits our vigilance. Suffering in silence is like a form of slow suicide..
Any of you that are suffering as I have, please know that you are no longer going to be disregarded,ignored,disrespected,villified, or brushed off. Please come forward with your pain. Let it end.
2 years ago I HAD TO TELL MY STORY. I now have a restored life, and new hope for the future knowing that support is there. As the last of the 5 litigants to settle, with contingencies...They have shown me changes (on paper) in policy for the schools and for employees within the churches.
?Is there really access to free counseling?- I know how you feel...even the thought of sharing such intimate discussion with a member of the church, for me, was unthinkable, not rational...not safe. We who have been violated this way understand with clarity, how unproductive, absolutely irresponsible and impossible it would be to create an environment of trust and protection within the SDA circle. Unless…???Help me someone please?! Is it possible?
I pray that there are those within the institution that may wield the sword of justice and continue the fight to implement responsible and realistic goals to help the ?hundreds?thousands?of victims hiding deep within the pain of abuse. I appeal to the leadership to make good the promises of ethical treatment of victims---in the spirit of truth and compassion. Is there a difference in price between a non-denominational therapist specializing in sexual trauma/disorders and an SDA "family” counselor? Are you a responsible SDA counselor, qualified to help? Contact the CCC of SDA's.
Dr. Robert Lark in Downey California, (562)706-5516, drbob@sexrecovery.com, is a specialist who has responsible resources available for this very issue. He has responsibly given me the support necessary to stay the course through the incredible pain of this case. He is not affiliated with any religious corporation.
SNAP Western Regional Director Mary Grant – mgrantsnap@earthlink has raised awareness across the country and provided support. Thank you Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, for your fighting spirit to make change and unswerving support for victims. Thank you Mary and Steve!!
SNAP is a 15-year-old, 5000-member, Chicago-based independent and confidential self-help group with 60 chapters across the country.
Thank you Joseph Scully, for investigating and believing an impossible, (yet true) story starting May 7th 2002. You are a man of integrity, principle and strength.
The 4 other brave men that took a stand to make the truth be known are my brothers for life. Thank you for your integrity and toughness to walk this path. You guys are the be
(continued)
The 4 other brave men that took a stand to make the truth be known are my brothers for life. Thank you for your integrity and toughness to walk this path. You are some of the few out of thousands of victims that have truly taken a stand to make a difference. You guys are the best-good luck.
I must thank my earthly and heavenly family for your love and support. I still love you God.
I appeal to all victims of abuse to trust in someone to help you begin the ending of your pain!!
May these changes in policy and awareness provide healing for many and safety for all.
Sincerely and hopefully,
Michael Weston
I must give attention to those tragic cases that will never be told..those who have taken their own lives, or died from overdosing on drugs/alcohol.
There are those that will lie to themselves as a protection against the buried shame of a disgusting reality..or just don't have the strength...It's ok we all understand. May you find peace. We love you.
There are dozens of victims and witnesses among students that attended MBA that DID TELL THEIR STORIES in this case. I hope there will be appropriate attention given to these individuals. Thank you all for making a huge step for humanity.
May you also continue to heal.
I hope for your future..
What's the latest MBA faculty sexual case? If you only knew, the papers would be all over it. Everyone's F'd up everywhere, bottom line is that parents need to be more aware and pay attention to their kids. Get them out now, haven't you heard enough.
Friend, we were very close. You were my first kiss and I've always treasured that. I remember Witt giving us keys to his office after hours. Mallernee caught us but made nothing of it. Intereseting. I remember what you tried to tell me. I was so naive and immature. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. I never told the nurse what you told me. I just wanted her to help with your sickness (I remember you were throwing up blood)- After reading these postings, I think she must have guessed. Looking back as an adult, their actions were pretty blatent. I remember my relief when Witt left the school. I'm so sorry. I wish I could go back and do it over - fix it. We should have just been experiencing the normal dramas of stupid teenage romance but we had this dark shadow hovering over us. And I know I broke your heart on top of it all. What a foolish teenage girl I was. You were a beautiful friend. Thank you for that last phone call on our birthdays. It relieved my heart. I've cried tears for you over the years. Especially now. I pray you have had joy in your life. I don't know if you're out there, but if so, I hope you recognize me and will forgive me for my carelessness with your heart during such a hellish time in your life. I truely loved you - I just did it very badly.
I just want to say that I attended MBA for two years and those were two of the best years of my life. I was in Oceanaires and new the Nelsons well and had nothing but respect for the both of them. Why can't anyone post anything positive about their SDA school experiences? God Bless.
I think these people would be posting positive experiences if they weren't being molested during that time. Fot those of us who were in the dark, it was great.
Ren, I am so sorry if any of this happened to you when we were rooming together. I was deposed in this case but really didn't have any valuable information to offer. I know it must have been hard to tell your story and I support you and hope that you can heal from this horrible ordeal. You are a brave man and I have the ultimate respect for you. KEVIN
Kevin, give me an email! rentilstra@hotmail.com
I went to school with all of you who filed the lawsuit(s).
While I was abused by a different "christian", it never happened to me at MBA. I was the poster boy for sexual abuse(those of you who know me will know what I mean).
I spent countless hours with Uncle Lowell, and he never breached our relationship. He had countless opportunities with me as well as several of my friends who were close to him.
I can't speak for Wittlake, but if Uncle Lowell did it, he should pay for it, but if his name was tossed in to the fray just to legitimize your cases, then that's a terrible shame.
I know some of you better than the others, and to see a couple of you describing yourselves as innocent little Adventists actually made me laugh. One of you introduced me to Twisted Sister, and another to Van Halen and Judas Priest. While I see those bands now as not really a big deal, at the time they were cutting edge and anything but morally redeemable influences in my life.
As a sexual molestation survivor (and a fellow preacher's kid), I truly empathize with you guys, and I hope you can get legal closure with the settlement, however make sure you get psychological closure too.
Best regards,
As a former MBA student from 1991-1992, I always thought that it was very strange that Mr. Nelson had a poster in his office of what he described as "a man with elephantitus of the scrote".
Even at 15, I found that to be pretty inappropriate.
Hey folks, James Shull here. What a freeking mind bender eh? I have to pause and consider my naivety of those years even more now. Considering that BOTH MALLERNEE and NELSON were my COUNSELORS!!!!!
Mallernee seemed a decent enough guy, albeit boring. Then for my last two years I chose Nelson. Have to admit I really liked the man, he never did anything that made me distrust him. Sure, I held the Bull Dick that he had in his office. We played Parcheesy(sp) and he even cooked me waffles a couple times for breakfast. Pretty uneventful actually. At the time I felt pretty lucky to have him as my counselor. I knew he sunbathed naked, but I was never asked or invited, nor was I ever offered alcohol.
When I first heard of all of this legal rancor I had serious doubts, however, the aformentioned tales do seem quite convincing. And they do reveal a common thread.
I knew what was going on with Wittlake. One guy I knew was provided alcohol by him at least once. He was kind of weird anyway, but then again, that's what most thought of Nelson.
Nelson certainly did discuss sex a lot, relative to the other prim faculty there! Of course he was a Biology teacher, which somewhat put sex in his academic jurisdiction. In my mind, at the time, he seemed completely informal about it- which made him approachable. A confidant if you will. Of course when I was 17, there were only a few people available to me to have frank discussions on sexuality, he was one of them.
As for one of the prior Anonymous (not to me) posters with the Mallernee experience. I'm deeply sorry. I must say I suspected it back then, but forced it out of my mind because of the audacity of it... and because I liked you so much. Sounds weird, but I actually started thinking of him as my nemesis since he seemingly dominated your attention. Had I said anything then, would it have made a difference? I'm not so sure at the time. I know you can bounce back from this though. You've had to bounce back before! I wish you the best.
Overall, pardon my sense of neutrality on all of this. Maybe I wasn't a ripe enough target for Nelson while I was there- perhaps my youthful religiosity gave him apprehensions (most of you should remember me as one of the saintly students).
I'm somewhat of an estranged SDA anymore, so excuse me when I say that, hopefully, this may bring about somekind of "cleansing" (for lack of a better word) within the Church. A previous poster was dead-on to imply that by remaining as isolated as SDA's tend to do, it sets us up for failure- from the inside. I've met so many socially inept adventists- it's no wonder we're only growing in 3rd world countries. They're the only ones who'll tolerate the Theology that hopelessly focuses on Fri-chic, coffee avoidance and a backassward 1888 legacy.
I'll applaud it if the church addresses this head-on. Like any institution though, it's self-preservation time now. I'm afraid the hard work of
... growing through this as an institution is complete folly unless your a lawyer from within the church who can sway policy.
Anyway, I'll watch this situation with interest here in the land of segregated conferences and cotton.
Feel free to get ahold of me if necessary. Maybe we could exchange Nutina recipes!
Dang Kristina! There's dimes bouncing all over this place! -Leave it to another soldier. Oh well, let the truth come out!
Brian Holland! Good to see your name! How are you guys doing? Your old house is up for sale again.
Anyhoo . . .
I was reviewing my earlier post and thought I needed to clarify lest one might think I was insensitive.
I was at a family member's house - decided to check my email this morning, and got one from my old roommate with the links to these stories and posts. I needed to get off the phoneline and did not read the previous posts before I posted.
I know some of us that have posted; some pretty well, and will not dispute your stories. I have a sickening feeling that my respect and the mentor status that I gave Mr. Nelson was misplaced. Deep down, I love him because he was good to me and helped me through some of the most crucial times of my life.
This is the real world, and everyone has the opportunity to be a monster, especially when given such authority over young impressionable minds - Uncle Lowell included.
The guy who messed with me was the head elder of my father's church in Redwood City. He took advantage of my insecurities and preyed on me like a tiger.
By the time I got to MBA, I was very messed up. I was searching for a mentor, and Uncle Lowell, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Langham, and Jay Ketelsen afforded me that. I am a better man with the influence of Uncle Lowell and these other adults in my life at that time.
The guy who sexually abused me got 7 years in jail for his crimes on other minor boys - my statute of limitation ran out before I came forward - (ironically he is heterosexual, and married a lady with 2 young boys - she knew about the prior abuses - and it was one of her sons that actually brought him to justice at a boarding school in Oregon).
I did not spend much time with Wittlake. I thought he was a dork (and I was also a dork so he must have been really bad!).
I heard about Mallernee (sp?), but again spent very little time with the bell-bottom clad man.
My point overall is that if Uncle Lowell DIDN'T do what he is accused of, then his career and name will have been unfairly ruined - and so it will be with his family, of some I consider myself good friends with.
If he DID do this, then he's gotten off lightly in my opinion.
Mike Weston is not using his real last name if I am not mistaken, and that coupled with my reservations with the "good little Adventist" characters I mentioned in my previous post, have raised my concerns that they are not being completely honest - that is just a gut feeling I have. But I am human and am capable of not seeing the true picture of what occured.
Overall, my good experiences heavily outweighed the bad at MBA. I have made lifelong friends (Care if it falls?), had my first kiss there, got my first job promotion there, and learned to be a man there.
I hope in the bigger picture, that the good of MBA will be recognized as greater than the ugliness that has taken over the school.
Good to see some of those names like Kris, Gloria, Brian and othe
Has anyone heard anything about Tom Fowler who was at a Seventh Day Adventist School in Nevada, Iowa?
Anonymous | 06.06.05 - 3:37 am | #
Is this the same Tom Fowler who worked at PVA? One Weird dude!
I went to MBA my Jr and Sr year. I was not one of the "in" crowd so Nelson and Whittlake didn't even know I existed, I was a hall monitor and heard rumors about Nelson but didn't think much about it. In thinking back about the whole thing my roomate was an oceanaire and had pictures of the girls sunbathing nude during a trip downunder. I always wondered where the Nelsons were when the pictures were taken. Roommate never said but maybe the Nelsons encourged the bahavior during the trip. One story that sticks in my mind is I was warned never to get in a car with Nelson as he would proceed to put his half thumb under your backside when you sat down. I don't remember who told me this. Hope that Justise will be or has been served. Peace.
Hey guys! I'd like to communicate with you! My email address is 67cruiser@sbcglobal.net and my Yahoo/AIM username is defactobassplayr
Be good to yourselves!
A little update on how the Church paid the settlement fee.
The truth is insurance paid the claim, not your tithe and offerings; While I understand and even would agree and make them "pay" (pun intended)by putting my donations to a more worthy cause, the truth is boring.
Just from the aspect of financial security, I am sure the Church does everything within it's power to reduce and eliminate these predators (apparently, except making policy changes until mandated to do so).
I certainly hope that when the settlement issues arose, that there was a penalty in place for not implementing and enforcing the policy changes on an ongoing basis.
Any word of a watchdog that will keep the school/Church's toes to the fire on this?
Well, Im stumped - and I'll finally cry "uncle" after reading this crap. Ive been Sticking up for Nelson for two years now, not wanting to believe what I was hearing. And since I really NEVER saw anything wierd, I just couldnt believe it. Not to mention, some of the accusers werent exactly "angels" in my memory. Ive been the sounding board to many many classmates for months now - none of this has made sense to me. Ive been skirting the calls from attorneys for 2 years!
But after reading some of my friends accounts in these pages, I must hang my head in many ways. #1, I guess I was wrong. #2, I wish I would have noticed, because those who know me know I would have done something about it. Sickens me to know this was happening right under my nose. #3, tag another "mistrust" of a teacher to my list......
Just utterly dissapointing - when I got kicked out of school (for being a teenager in love) I told a teacher some "facts" in private (trying to save my ass) - he then used it against me in the council to kick me out. That affected me for a very very long time, but nothing like Im sure you guys have been shouldering for so long. To hear the names Malernee, Nelson, and Whitlake all in the same phrase........SHIT, what was I missing....
It makes me understand why some of my classmates were so angry at MBA when I called them to come to our 10 year reunion. I didnt understand why, but maybe I do now. I am truly sorry this crap happened. Just last week I told someone "I just dont believe Nelson would do that" and then today to read this.........fuck.
In the end, I must say - my best years of my life were spent at MBA. My best friends were made there, and my memories there will always be precious - thats why this has been so difficult to accept.
Im really sorry to those this has happened to.
Jake Scheideman
Class of 86
And thanks Jon Reynolds for forwarding this to me, you had a rough time at MBA. Im sorry to hear about some of the other "crap" that was going on in your life.
Jake
Oh, how I love the internet =).
A recent email from Uncle Lowell thanking his supporters.
"Praise God! The nightmare seems to be over. The charges against Arladell for supplying drugs and alcohol to minors and the sexual abuse charges against me have been dropped. We do not have to pay one cent! The charges that were put forth against us were unreal. We all know that Arladell would never ever have given anyone drugs or alcohol and the charges against me were made by individuals that I hardly knew or had not even met at the time they say they had been molested. We believe that each of the boys who made these charges along with their attorney knew their accusations were made up for the purpose of getting money. I know, with God, as my witness, that I never touched any one of these boys in a sexual or disrespectful way. Like Paul in the NT, I can say that I am the chief of sinners, but molesting any of these boys was not my sin.
Now the real reason for writing this note is that we want to thank each of you who sent us e-mails, notes and cards, or called us and assured us of your belief in us and your support. Without this support we don't think we could have made it. So thank you each and everyone. We love you so much!
Our love,
Lowell and Arladell Nelson"
He hardlt knew or hadn't even met any of his acusers? Oh really...
Didn't know John Juarez?
"Mr. Nelson has been teaching biology here at MBA for 16 years and does some landscaping around campus. John Juarez and Mr. Nelson enjoy landscaping on nice afternoons usually. You would find them landscaping “Wherever there’s dirt” comments J.J. or “Someplace east of the Pacific Ocean and West of San Andreas Road,” quotes Mr. Nelson."
Monterey Bay Academy 1984-85 Yearbook, Page 71, below headline "Frog's Yuck!" 2nd Paragraph lower right hand corner.
Liarsayswhat?
Response to Jon Reynolds Regarding Insurance Payments for the MBA Losses.
I refer to the statement by Jon Reynolds, "The truth is insurance paid the claim...Not your tithe and offerings."
Jon does not understand the business of insurance or perhaps even how money flows through a religous organization.
Firstly, insurance is obtained by paying premiums (money) to an insurance carrier(s). Premiums are low when the carrier determines that the risk or perils it is covering are low. After the insurance carrier pays out a settlement or judgment (as in the MBA case) it will likely in the future determine through the loss history of its client whether it needs to raise the cost of premiums to make up for these losses. Insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine premiums and costs are adversely affected by losses. A basic principal of operating an insurance company is to avoid losing money. Consequently, better managed businesses or churches have lower premiums than loss leaders.
Central California Conference is probably "partially self-funded" through its risk management arrangements. This means it has to bear some of the losses directly and perhaps seed off some of the losses to an insurance carrier. No matter how these losses are paid (money is money)there is likely to be substantial money (hundreds of thoussands to millions) experenced by the Conference in this settlement either in its own risk program or through a private carrier. Losses are losses and premiums are premiums!
It is misleading to claim that no tithe or offerings will enter such a claim, unless Ron can figure out some way for the Conference to print money or get manna from heaven (which in turn it can sell for a profit). This is a large financial loss to the Conference (both now and its loss history and perhaps future premiums). Ultimately the money will flow from the believers who place envelopes in the offering plate or make other kinds of donations. (This is money largely lost to the mission and goals of the Conference)
Believers who make up this Conference and its affiliate MBA can be assured that the price of insurance premiums will track such losses. One might even find embedded in the future tuition costs at MBA a factor or margin that covers these losses (since MBA is where the losses occurred in the Conference). Further, the financial losses in dollars are relative inconsequential to the enormous harm and peril caused by a very few (true enough to effect settlement) when there were other teachers and staff conducting their affairs at the school with promise and good will. What is the value of that loss or the loss of convictions from parents and students? You can't establish a premium to cover these losses.
T Joe Willey, we know how insurance works, what's your point?
Do you feel the settlements were justified or not?
He changed his name long before this lawsuit. You knew him.
I have spent half the night reading every single word... I had to physically restrain myself from responding directly (and angrily) to much of what I read here. I have to confess that by the end, my anger was focused on myself, and for that matter any of the "1980 and prior" graduates who seem to be largely absent from these posts. I have no doubt whatsoever that Lowell Nelson was/is/will be culpable for every allegation.
Sexual predation is treatable, not curable. This is the proven psychological truth that has brought us to the enlightened present, a time where we can actually see the address, stats and pics of prior offenders by just clicking through on a website.
I attended MBA three years (from 1977-1980) and within days of my Sophomore arrival in ’77 was given the test of manhood in Mr. Nelson's office, with prior test-takers looking on and giggling along with him. Having been duped into holding a bull's penis tied around a rock at arms length, I laughed along with them (he only wants to find "boys who will be too ashamed to tell"... i.e. boys susceptible to coersion and secrecy...) and in retrospect, my response took me to his next level of test.
Some weeks later, I learned through one of my friends of a secret field trip to take place on a SABBATH... after church, to a Nude Beach called Davenport beach. Of course, the sole adult chaperone was none other than Mr. Nelson, and so several of us boys (no girls, in spite of my asking) embarked on an adventure. Imagine my dismay when I discovered that out of 100+ nude sunbathers, there was NOT ONE SINGLE WOMAN! As I look back… 2020Hindsight… he was watching the reactions of the boys he took there (and on countless other excursions to the same beach preceding and following) to measure them up.
By the grace of God, my reactions didn’t trigger his continued interest in me. I guess he was more interested in boys who thought the male nudity was funny or had curiosity than somebody who wanted to explore the rocks and caverns as far away from the sunbathers as possible. I think it was on the drive back, but I remember my response to his inquiry about going again. I told him to let me know if he was going to any nude beaches that actually had females present.
I heard about nude sunbathing at his house, but had my own sources for illicit substances (more available than any public school back home) and blessedly was left alone by Mr. Nelson after the Davenport trip.
I am so incredibly sorry for the atrocities committed against you 5, and pray for your healing and justice (not yet served on Lowell). But for the grace of God go I. In spite of my desperate need for a father figure after my father’s death the year before, I was undeservedly guided past the traps of this predator and instead given what I truly needed under the firm and trustworthy hands of Dean Zinke and Glenn Dewitt. This was in spite of the fact that most of my choices in ’77 and ’78 were anything b
...This was in spite of the fact that most of my choices in ’77 and ’78 were anything but “favorable in the eyes of God”.
You were being violated by an individual and then through an institution by it's protection of his actions. Simultaneously, even nearly in the same breath as their denials of action against Nelson, MBA was exacting highly public punishment and defrocking Elder Ratzky for his presentation of a more liberal interpretation of the faith than they wished. This hypocrisy, paired with the self-righteous “I’m untouchable” tone that shows through the “Praise God” email from Lowell’s pen that Nick Snow posted is the type of thing that sent me on a spiritual quest outside the church years ago.
Please know this... Lowell Nelson IS NOT untouchable, not under the watch of the God I know today.
Although I didn’t know Ron Wittlake, the name sounds VERY familiar… can anybody tell me if he was an MBA Alumnus or had youthful contact with Lowell Nelson? If his actions started with Nelson’s abuse and were under Nelson’s tutelage, couldn’t Nelson stand accountable for the depravity that ultimately led to his death? I pray that you read this, Lowell… because if he was your trained protégé, then his blood is on your hands.
For every one of his successful abuses, there could be 100 “near misses” like mine.
For those of you who saw his pattern, but were passed over… please pray for courage for those who weren’t and be willing to present your story, no matter how small
For those of you who were victimized earlier and later than the 5 cases, please know that there is an large and enlightened support network for you, and pray for the courage to come forward.
As a father of 3, I have to do everything I can. A man like this IS STILL satisfying his demons, wherever he is, until somebody stops him. With all due respect, the platitudes about sending a message to the church and saying that the money will teach them a lesson is a crock, and seeing the self-righteous thank-you letter from Nelson was my last straw.
I have a God that values the spiritual future of his current and future victims just as highly as those who have gone before, and he must be stopped. If there is any way in which I can put my drops in the bucket that will eventually drown Nelson in the truth, please send me a note so I can follow through.
David Howard
310.351.6100
dhoward@rhinotek.com
Interesting post from clubadventist.com.
This was posted by Chaplain Gregory Matthews.
SPECTRUM has reported that one of the two people charged by the five is am employee of Weimar Collage, and independent college in N. California. I contacted them in regard to this, and here is their response:
**************************************************
*****************************************
"Thank you for coming to us with your concerns about Lowell Nelson. Your concerns about sexual abuse and its effects on children and youth are absolutely valid. We share your concerns and could not ethically hire someone suspected of such activities.
Lowell Nelson is NOT employed at Weimar College, nor has he ever been employed by Weimar Institute of Health and Education. There are no plans to hire him now or in the future.
I do not know where Spectrum magazine received its erroneous information about Mr. Nelson being employed here. Perhaps the confusion comes from the fact that several years ago someone by the last name of Nelson was employed
at Weimar. This person was not Lowell Nelson, and as far as I know there is no connection between them. Spectrum evidently did not research this sufficiently. But rest assured that that Lowell Nelson has NO connection
with Weimar Institute.
Thank you again for coming directly to us with your concerns and getting the facts straight.
Journey in Christ's Joy!
Shenalyn Page
Director, Education Marketing
Weimar College & Academy
Which is interesting, considering that the Nelson's Alumni bio from the Walla Walla college website reads like this...
Lowell Nelson ’60 is living with his wife Arladell (Bond) fac. in Cool, Calif., where they are both retired. They met at WWC where Lowell took voice lessons from Arladell. During their tenure at Monterey Bay Academy, Arladell’s choir, The Ocean-aires, was the only high school choir in the United States invited to sing in the Easter Chorale Spectacular in Sydney, Australia. Lowell currently teaches college anatomy and physiology at the Weimar Institute, while Arladell directs the church choir at the Auburn SDA church.
Obviously Weimar would rather look clean than christian...
Lowell Nelson ’60 is living with his wife Arladell (Bond) fac. in Cool, Calif., where they are both retired. They met at WWC where Lowell took voice lessons from Arladell. During their tenure at Monterey Bay Academy, Arladell’s choir, The Ocean-aires, was the only high school choir in the United States invited to sing in the Easter Chorale Spectacular in Sydney, Australia. Lowell currently teaches college anatomy and physiology at the Weimar Institute, while Arladell directs the church choir at the Auburn SDA church.
This article was dated fall of 2000 in the WESTWIND online.
http://www.wwc.edu/about-us/publ.../
alumnotes.html
The Weimar Institute as of june 2003 listed Lowell Nelson as "Professor of Anatomy" for the "Deep Tissue Massage"
Program!
After the case was filed they deleted his name from their website.
Ron Whittlake was a student of Mr. Nelson.
Not that it makes any difference, but is there a place where I can see WHO Michael Weston is? I dont remember him and he was at MBA while I was there.......
Sorry, curious
Jake Scheideman
jake@sthelenacyclery.com
anonn... Please elaborate, did Ron Wittlake go to MBA? If so, what was his graduating year?
Weimar Destroys All Personnel Records from 1999 to Present
If you want to know how Weimer can make the claim that Lowell Nelson never taught at Weimer call the President and ask him why the personnel records have been destroyed over the period that Nelson might have appeared as a contract instructor there. And this school thinks of itself as following Adventist guidelines of Education.
So, according to Weimar's word, Nelson never worked there.
I have a friend who took A & P from him at Weimar College in 1999.
I wonder why the person referred to him as Uncle Lowell . . .
If they unknowingly hired Nelson before the allegations came out, and then terminated him, they have nothing to hide - they'd just say that they released him when they found out.
However . . . If they did nothing when this came out, then they are in trouble and they know it.
This dillemma is explosive enough, and in conjunction to the outcome of the Catholic errors, to completely sink the Weimar Institution.
Their student body would be reduced to next to nothing. as (hopefully) responsible parents would put their beloved chldren elsewhere (MBA?)LOL!!
That is the ONLY conceivable reason to destroy employee records and deny his participation in their institution.
Peace, out
In the distance, I hear the rustling of the wagons as they form a tight circle . . .
"THE CHARGES AGAINST ARLADELL FOR SUPPLYING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TO MINORS AND THE SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGES AGAINST ME HAVE BEEN DROPPED. WE DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ONE CENT!"
See how Nelson twists the truth? The charges were not dropped...the case was settled. HE personally did not have to pay one cent (which I find reprehensible) but someone paid a lot of cents on his behalf.
Nelson lied throughout this whole ordeal and lots and lots of students and churchgoers believed and supported him.
I hope all of you former MBA students send the link to this page to everyone you know. Expose this liar and child molester. The things he did make me sick.
As for Wittlake, he graduated in 1971 or 1972, and was Arladell's music student during his years at MBA. You can be certain that Nelson got his hands on Wittlake.
After Wittlake left MBA, he taught special ed students in southern California. Predators seek the weak, and these young children may have been defenseless. God only knows what happened there!
As someone stated previously, Wittlake and Nelson TESTED the boys to see who would receive their advances. Gaining trust is the #1 step in the abuse process, and molesters rarely stop.
It is such a tragedy this had to happen.
Onlooker
This whole saga makes me sick. While I was never a fan of MBA, I was completely shocked when I spoke with Mr. Weston a couple of years ago and he told me this story. I'm proud of you men for going forward with this. Michael, You were a good friend to me at MBA and I just wish I had known. I never did like the Nelsons and knowing that I used to take voice lessons from Mr. Whitlake makes my skin crawl. You guys are brave to stand up to our church! As a mother of 10, I would never send my child to one of our schools! I couldn't stand the thought of any of them having to go through what you have suffered with!
MOTHER OF 10! Holy Smokes!
It's real easy to overlook something like this, and even easier to choose not to talk about this subject with the likely perpetrators because:
#1, you don't want to get involved
#2 you don't want to believe it
#3 you don't want to hurt one's reputation by saying something
#4, it could make you look really bad if there is a reasonable answer to what looked inappropriate.
So in all fairness (by the way I agree with most of you in your thoughts), how do you strike a reasonable balance between looking out for the kids and not hurting one's career/reputation based on an allegation?
I used to be in Pathfinders as a leader. My supervisor from work had his daughter in the club. One day, she came to me and asked to speak in private. I took her into another room, and she told me that he dad had been beating her. I called a female staffer over, and privately, the girl showed the staffer her bruises. The staffer agreed that there was a bit of bruising on her upper thighs.
I talked to the director about it, and he called Child Protective Services (by law).
CPS came out and investigated the claim. During the investigation, the girl broke down and admitted that she had made the story up - the springer spaniel did not appreciate being kicked out of her bed, and starting jumping on her - aparrently common for the dog. Meanwhle, the dad is smarting not to mention damaged from being accused of beating his daughter - with his only guilt being to punish her for her disobediance (she was grounded).
So, my friend and boss gets a ding on his record (2 to 3 dings and his child is taken from him and put into protective custody) even though he did nothing
Not to mention I felt bad for him - and was just doing what the law required of me.
Kids are smart enough now to use this as a tool to control an adult - blackmail or revenge.
I guess I'm saying that things aren't always cut and dry.
This case against Wittlake and Nelson of course does not have that element because everything happened so long ago, but in the current environment where the students are RIGHT NOW, this applies.
It is not just in Parochial school, not only an SDA or Catholic problem. This dilemma occurs in homes like yours and mine. A person does not wish to cause stress or resentment over something that bothers them,and/or does not want to create a rift in the family. However if left alone, these abuses can grow unabated and damage more people.
So how do we do it right?
A quote from Michael:
“I feel like my life has been a sick, disgusting joke, that I was killed long ago,”,“Nothing can ever bring back my life—my opportunities to start a family; my chances for success and achievement; a sense for normalcy. I will never feel like I am part of society … In the years following being up at MBA I can only describe my life as a living nightmare. If somehow God gave me the opportunity—or actually the command—to go back in time and live those years over, I’d blow my f*****g head off.”
Michael, I'm sorry this happened to you. I can't completely relate to you because I am not in your shoes.
However, there is hope! I was abused too. One of the necessary things for me to regain my focus and footing in life was to forgive the evil man who did it to me.
I don't mean forget, and I don't mean be leniant - I mean that you will start the healing when by forgiving them, you are giving up the right for revenge - that's all.
As long as you hold this grudge, you are hurting only yourself and your immediate family. You aren't hurting the Wittlake family or the Nelsons - just yours.
This was the first step for me to start the process of healing.
I realize it sounds cold and unimaginable, but it made a world of difference in my life - I speak from an experience like yours.
More on the next post - - - ->
Continued . . .
However, from a protective standpoint (of other potential victims after you) it is CRITICAL that justice be served here. A billion dollars won't change anything if the individuals who did it are not made PERSONALLY accountable. Wittlake will be talking it over with God shortly, and God WILL give him his justice.
However, even though you received a nice pension from the CCC, and perhaps they will change their practices, a sexual abuser is still walking around with no real justice served.
I think you should start a civil suit against him, not for yourself specifically, but for the others he hurt, and for those in line to get hurt.
Just my opinion.
Go to the URL http://clubadventist.com/ubbtrea...an//page/0/vc/
1 It's a members-only adventist newsgroup that I have tried to post to (evidently they have a problem with just ANYBODY posting there), but I private-messaged Chaplain Gregory Matthews yesterday challenging the hypocrisy of the Weimar denial letter he had posted there (copied here by me yesterday). He verified the Walla Walla college bio of the Nelsons and is now challenging Weimar with the truth...
And by the way, there's much to be learned at that website about how church insiders seem to be focused on the risk management and legal side of this.
Boy, David, you aren't kidding! All they talk about are the legal hairsplittings.
However, there is a humorous reference to Harvey Voth being a popular administrator (at least I thought it was funny) . . .
ClubAdventist says it all . . .
Nick Snow give it a rest. You of all people should be careful to judge others. You were a liar at MBA and hopefully have gotton past that though I doubt it. Vince Parisi YOU have the right to sue someone for taking advantage of YOU??? WOW now if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it strange to anyone else that Michael Weston can drag all these names into the limelight but doesn't post his REAL name? Vince did, John did, Jon is putting his out there.
Dear Anonymous:
Every one here has an opinion - You do, and Nick too.
Other folks said worse things. I can't speak for you (because I can't tell who you are), but some of Nick's friends have been damaged by this - and he has a right to be pissed.
And he has gotten past the stuff at MBA.
It's easy to criticize from behind the veil of anonymity . .
Dear Anonymous:
Michael Westin is his legal & "real" name, though not the one he used at MBA. He changed it for his own reasons.
To quote you: "WOW now if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" then you sign it "Anonymous"? What's the deal?
Mr. Weston and All. Inner Healing is free in many churches from a personal counseling team. There are many books, For a beginning I suggest churches, and individuals read Christian Healing by Mark Pearson if they don't have a ministry
or if they do have a ministry. I am astounded that I have not read any comments about healing the victims.
This case has largely consumed my life for the last 2 years...I am focused at the moment on one thing--Allowing the true God to bring healing into my life. I understand how an energetic circus-like feeding frenzy is a likely reality for some of you-That's human nature. No man or opinions will bring me healing..Only a spiritual intervention and blessing from the true source will bring truth to the table and exposure of those that perpetuate fear and misinformation.
I have nothing to hide-I opened the wound for the world to see the effects of sexual abuse, demoralization, corporate corruption and violation of the human spirit.
We are far from perfect--as humans we have only one source of hope for spiritual healing-The Creator of all things. Healing has begun for me..We still haven't received the money...that is not the issue. Being choked and brutally fucked by a man, and demoralized and drugged by another, run off like an animal by the other teachers/staff that knew after I reported it....That is the pain/anger I have to deal with. So be it.
I have the promise of salvation from the stories of Job,Daniel,Joseph,David in the bible. They suffered worse and came through just fine with God's intervention.
I changed my name in 1989, forced the pain of the past down,dealt with the fact that everything I grew up to believe about the church,my family's dedication to the church- and much of humanity was a lie.
I have a much better perspective now.
I will be a positive and productive part of society. The $$$will not be squandered or wasted.
Don't expect me to monitor this forum-I would rather address the issues in my life that matter most.
Healing my body, Healing My Family, Healing my relationship with GOD.
Hey Mike:
I don't remember you specifically, and respect your reasons for protecting your name.
2 questions:
#1. Can you tell us the names of the teachers you told the abuse too?
#2. Since you had a big share in the definition of the settlement, can you share with us what tools were put in place to make sure that the administrators/teachers keep the students sexual innocence in tact?
For instance, what penalties are going to be enacted if the administration gets lax in their enforcement of the new policies and 'drop the ball' so to speak?
Thanks!
MBA has detailed policies regarding sexual misconduct and it may be obtained by asking for a copy of the student handbook.
Also the CCC Educational office has additonal new policies that outline procedures, reporting, etc. in great detail.
These documents are far too extensive (almost thirty pages) for this setting.
Much to my chagrin, after reading the above statements, from an outside perspective,I find the observations of Jon Reynolds to be short-sighted, annoying and inappropriate.
Do us a favor and do your research about the case--Read the articles. There was a civil suit against Nelson! Calif. law makes it impossible to take a pension or a primary residence. A current victim after 1989 will send his ass to jail for the rest of his pathetic life.
Read the note from Michael Posted
Above on June 12!
Penalties?? They looked the other way for 30 years! Are they going to miraculously change their stripes overnight? It's up to the Adventist people to do their own police work!
The leadership won't do anything about it, other than cover their ass like these idiots at WEIMAR! I am baffled by some of you folks. Get a life and glom on to the real issue.
ee
I went to MBA in the early 1990s. I had a friend that had a sexual relationship with Steve Walls, one of the English teachers. I can't remember if she was 17 or 18. She would sneak off campus with him all the time. I'm now wondering how many other girls he did this with? Similar thing happened at LLA with a Religion teacher and a Senior girl. LLA later found out he had done this at another SDA school before teaching there. I feel like alot of this is ignored because it's happening to teenagers not little children. ....And to comment on someone else's stupid comment....just because a teenage boy is excited about getting free wine coolers and inviting other boys-does not mean he wants to be raped and molested. Typical of an SDA to equate the two. Also, I agree with another woman's observation...ALL of us girls joked about Lowell Nelson being gay or bisexual. I also remember some of the boys laughing about visiting the nude beach with Mr. Nelson.
Dear David:
Thank you for using your real name.
From a perspective of trust, I don't think it matters if the person is 2 years old or 18 years old. Parents sent their kids there under the impression that the teachers and administrators put the well being of the students above the sex drive of the faculty.
My daughter will be 18 this fall, and a senior in high school (NOT MBA), and I am supposed to expect that a teacher will not make sexual advances on her, even if it's legal - isn't that the right way to see this?
So if Steve Walls has done this, was it brought to the attention of the administration?
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department Sexual Assault Unit has been appraised of the situation and is prepared to take statements of victims, in or out of statute. In their words -
"Even if it appears their case is out of statute, we can still conduct interviews and formally document the incidents. This will benefit any other victims/survivors if their case is within statute. In addition, the victim/witness program is available to everyone even their cases are out of statute."
Please help spread the word, any victims should contact them at 831-454-2311. Also feel free to email sdajustice@yahoo.com with any questions, etc.
Hi, I'm the one who made the comments regarding Steve Walls. I don't think anyone ever reported it, because us teenage girls (at the time) were very naive. Reading about all that has happened, I just really remembered it today.
I haven't seen this girl since MBA. We were better friends when we grew up in Loma Linda. We both went to MBA for grades 11 and 12. I was planning on looking up where Steve Walls is now----so that I can report it. However, without the girl, I don't know how far it could go. That is why I decided to put it out there, so that if it happened to others, they could report it. The reason I mentioned her being 18 or not is because I'm afraid "they" would try to blame the girl, too. Unfortunately, there is not as much protection for legal adults, unless, of course, he raped her. That, I do not know. I suppose a civil suit could be brought against a teacher who took advantage of legally adult students. However, more importantly, make sure he never works around students again. It's very sick!! Yet, at the time, I have no clue why none of us said anything. That's the hard part of being a teenager. . . half child/half adult. So, most of the teenage reasoning follows that path, too. I was discussing all of this with my mom today. I was realizing how truly bizarre it was that it was such common knowledge that Nelson sunbathed nude with the guys. She was shocked!! I believe most of us students assumed that if all the teachers knew, then, it must somehow be okay. I even remember during spring the girls would go out and sunbathe behind the dorm. Well, alot of the girls wanted to remove their tops so they wouldn't have tan lines. I remember it was a very big deal that they should ask such a thing. The answer was NO! The girls were always asking why the guys got to tan nude with Mr. Nelson. We were never given a direct answer to that reasonable question.
According to MBA's website: http://montereybayacademy.org/fa.../
directory.html ,
Walls still teaches there.
I remember rumors that Gary Cooper (husband of Mrs. Cooper - girls dean in the 80's) was involved with female students as well as Ivan Malernee (Ewwwww - yuck !!!!!)
Hey guys!
I called the Sheriffs office at the number above, and found something out.
That goosing that Nelson was doing is a criminal act.
Hmmm . . . That opens the door a bit ehh.
This is from the Santa Cruz County Investigator's Office regarding MBA/Lowell Nelson's case for potential abuse victims.
"The case number is 05-6560. This will be used for everyone who contacts
me.
Sgt. Robin Mitchell
Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office
Sexual Assault Unit
831-454-3215"
"That goosing that Nelson was doing is a criminal act."
S0RRY. . . I don't understand what that refers to. . . .Goosing . . .I mean. Is it specifically touching, massaging, or nude sunbathing, or ??? Again, sorry, I'm a little slow.
OK, in this case, let's say Mr. Nelson offers you a ride to the dorm and you accept. As you are getting in, his hand slips to where your anus is (hand up), and as you unsuspectingly sit down on his hand, he squeezes his fingers together.
Does this adequately clear up your confusion?
He did this to a lot of folks including me.
Never got the squeeze, Jon, but many times the "goose"... it was his half-thumb in the anus.
This sad thread began with a plea that we would break down the twin barriers of denial and/or indifference to the problem of sexual abuse.
It seems that some level of anger must be necessary to overcome the denial and indiffference that has been experienced by these abused boys/men and it seems also some girls/women.
I attended SDA schools in California for all of my educational experience, 18 years worth. I was never abused, used, or treated indifferently in any of them at any time. Instead I found self-sacrificing teachers who were concerned with me as a person, who shared their personal time and lives to help make up the deficiencies in my private life, who were substitute fathers for me when I needed a fatherly influence or just encouraging friends for me as I matured to face life's challenges.
1.) So my question to those who were abused and misused at MBA is why you blame the SDA church for actions antithetical to everything the church stands for?
Blaming Adventism for teachers who used drugs and alcohol (clearly antithetical to Adventism), were sexual predators (you all know how opposed to fornication the church is), and misused Sabbath hours, is like blaming Judiasm for a Jew who sold you a bad item on the Sabbath!
It's not Judiasm that is at fault, it is a Failure of Judiasm that is at fault.
It would seem to someone who has seen the beauty, love, and comfort of Adventist teachers and schools, that what MBA needed was more Adventism or real Adventism, not less?
2.) Why when you know the pain from being victimized by low, cruel, filthy behavior do choose to verbally abuse your audience? Do you choose an abusive vocabulary ("Fucking", "Shit") so that those of us who were not misused get a taste of how you felt? Sharing the pain in a minor way?
3.) And why should the average real Adventist today in the Central California Conference (those who walk the talk and pay tithes and offerings) have to take $ 3.5 million to divide between you and your lawyers, for the moral failure of these sick and disgusting individuals for things done 20-30 years ago?
To me it all feels very primitive, tribal, and vindictive. I suffered so therefore to heal my suffering, now you must suffer too.
This doesn't feel to me like healing, it feels like perpetuation of abuse?
I feel like those who were goosed, except that instead of being abused by a teacher, I am being abused by the victims and their lawyers for sins I never committed and actions I would never condone.
I personally favor manditory castration for first time sexual offenders, and the death penalty for second time proven offenders. And would support any actions that would disbar from teaching, disfellowship from communion, and jail and financially punish any sexual predators, and those who covered up their sins at the expense of victims.
But must I as a Seventh-day Adventist member now suffer in silence verbal and financial abuse by the victims?
Dear Church Member:
As I said in an earlier post, I greatly enjoyed my time at MBA, and am a better man for being there.
Several Points:
Well, first, I would not agree that you are being silent based on your letter.
Good question - Why should you as a ordinary member in good standing pay for the sins of a few?
Why should the people who had their pensions with Enron have their entire futures compromised? Why should all the hard working dutiful employees of Arthur Anderson pay for the sins of their leaders?
Why should all good Catholics pay for the crimes of their leaders?
They shouldn't, but they do. It's just life.
This lawsuit did not target the beliefs of Adventism; rather the METHODS the Adventists have used in dealing with the sexual assault issue as a whole.
Part of the stipulation of the settlement (from my understanding) is that the policy changes are made affect the employers and employees CHURCHWIDE.
I don't blame Adventism for what happened to me, I blame Lowell Nelson.
When you are the leader of a company (SDA, a nonprofit corporation, if you will), you goal is to maintain the financial solvency and the security of the company. You make decisions based on this that affect the whole - the question here is who are you loyal to - the student or the constituent?
Here is my view (just my view):
Lowell Nelson's wife was the director of the Oceanaires - a choir that included only the best singing talent that Monterey Bay Academy had. The choir would go on extensive tours, and was used as a marketing tool for the school to maintain and increase enrollment.
So. . . If Lowell Nelson is asked to leave or is fired, Mrs. Nelson goes bye bye too, and there goes the Oceanaires leadership, and with it prospective students going to competing schools.
They were protecting themselves in my opinion.
The financial payoff (yes, I said payoff) is the only way to get a 'business smart' corporation to change it's methods. You have to show them in a tangible way why it makes sense (from the aspect of financial solvency and security) to make these changes. The alternative costs must be more expensive than the payoff.
This is in no way saying that you, part of the 'company' is to blame anymore than the average Catholic is to blame. In fact, if you feel that you have to pay, then I suggest that you find a more suitable place to donate your hard earned money.
Continued below
Continued from previous post:
Castration:
I am not specifically against castration for pedophiles; however it only addresses part of the problem. The other part is that in most cases, CONTROL over another creature is part of the mental makeup of a sexual predator. The castration may eliminate the sexual payoff, but not the control aspect.
However, I don't think that capital punishment should be in place for this crime. If it involved the murder of a child I would. I think that removing these deviants from the public PERMANENTLY would be appropriate.
I liked your thoughtful approach. We NEED this dialogue.
BRUCE NELSON I challenge you today to come stand before the victims and repeat your statements here. All mention on C/A has been removed.
By Bruce Nelson
Sometimes I do think you refuse to get my point because of our past history. I had better success reasoning with you when you did not know who I was.
As I said I do not buy SOME of your arguments.
1. Suit filed 20 years later. WHY?
2. No criminal suits filed ever
3. Church blamed for the actions of a few rougue employees
One has got to admit that peoples memories fade over time. Memories start to forget or add stuff or embellish to make it seem more lurid than it actually was. This is a natural human tendancy to do this.
Sorry I just do not buy the argument that justice needed to be served. If you want justice get a criminal conviction and not go after the almighty dollar. When you go after money it seems as if the people are greedy and only want to get rich. Remember the church and school is a victim here as well.
No one has answered the question on why wait 20 years before coming forward.
I also find it hard to believe why people would allow themselves to be used by the teachers in this way unless they somehow wanted it. An example of this is why in the world did the student go up on the deck with Lowell when he knew that Lowell would be sunbathing in the nude. He did not have to go there but he did. When one puts themselves into harm ways intentionally I find it a little hard to have sympathy for their case. This is even more true when they knew what was going on. In this case nude sunbathing. Any person with half a brain should sence something is terribly wrong here. Even as a teen I would not go near a teacher like that if I knew one who did this.
Sorry I am a very strong willed individual and NO ONE makes me do anything I do not want to do ever. I find it confusing that there are such weak minded people that would allow themselves to be used by a pastor or teacher.
My sister had a college professor try to force her to have sex with him or he would give her a lower grade. She refused. She got a C instead of a B that she deserved. She reported him but he denied it. So yes I know these things happen. But the point I am making she did not allow herself to be used despite his advances.
This man is dead now. He retired a few years after this incident and died of a heart attack. God will deal with him now.
Oh my,
I had Mr. Wittlake for voice lessons while I was a freshman in 1986. I do remember thinking he was gay. However, I only knew one gay man.
This is sad to think this could happen there. It darkens all of our memories. For me, now, not being popular as a regret from school is fast fading and now just being happy that I did nto experince those abuses.
I actually went back to MBA after my junior, ( was in a public high school in my 10th and 11th grade) because I needed to come back to christ. I had been raped in 11th grade by a date and needed to be away from it.
I know now that all of us suffered some as teenagers. I wish all of you the best.
However, (i live in San Jose now) I think it will be much harder convincing my husband to send our 6 kids to mba and maybe harder to even take them to an SDA church...
Be well all,
All my support to all of you,
Heidi Cole (Hutson) class of 1989
PS My email is heidicole@gmail.com and my yahoo id is passionheidi
www.passionheidi.com
Is Bruce Nelson the Cyberguy?
Whoa! Obviously the person who spoke of being so strong-willed as to never put himself in harm's way, must have had a wonderful, nurturing childhood. Not all of us were that lucky!
Have you ever thought of the fact that maybe some needed a "parental love" and because of that were taken advantage of?
You are the most senseless and judgemental person I've heard from. Have you ever suffered in life? Do you know what is like to hurt so bad inside that you just want to die? Have you ever walked in someone else's shoes?
Why twenty years from then? Because it can take that much time to ever feel strong enough or good enough about yourself to realize that what they did was so wrong and that you are so sick of people in the school/conference office who just pass off these offenders to other schools and even head elders of another church!
So what makes you so sure about the right course of action if you haven't walked in our shoes!
I don't prented to know who you are nor should you judge me!
This Bruce Nelson thing was reposted from his original posting on http://clubadventist.com I believe. This guy is the most ridiculous uncaring person on there, and gets hammered by the others on there too. I'm glad he's not my dad, I'd be looking for mentors elsewhere (which got me into dangerous situations in the first place).
The above post came from Bonnie at the Club Adventist website. Evidently Bruce Nelson actually works for the SDA Church if I read correctly.
Yes, Bruce Nelson = Cyberguy = Cyber Guy = Cyber Bruce = "hit me between the eyes with evidence and I'll still be blinded by my need to believe it's not all possible" = "I'll just click my heels and say 'there's no place like home' and all the witches and scary things will go away... all one and the same.
Of all people, Bruce would love for us to focus on his hypocricy and empty-headed blathering rather than the true issue at hand. Don't fall into the trap (as I nearly did).
If this is what he truly believes , he needs to confront the victims. The victims he proposes are after the almighty dollar and have somehow wanted their own molestation. Right here on their own ground. Not where he knows there is the safety of the delete button to get his backside out of the sling he has put it into again.
He needs the strngth of his convictions, that same strength shown by victims when they are required to go to the "enemy" and state their case
Bonnie
I have to thank Michael and others for opening the door to bringing sexual abuse out in the open...specifically abuse that happened at MBA.
I too was abused by a teacher at MBA. If there are others who are willing to come forward, male or female, with anything that Ivan Mallernee did to them during his 30+ years at MBA I would like to encourage you to do so. It is time people don't look the other way anymore and let these guys get away with their devastating behaviors.
Again, there is already a case # started with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Dept. See next paragraph for reporting info.
This is from the Santa Cruz County Investigator's Office regarding MBA/Ivan Mallernee case for potential abuse victims.
"The case number is 05-6607 . This will be used for everyone who contacts
me.
Sgt. Robin Mitchell
Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office
Sexual Assault Unit
831-454-3215"
Bruce Nelson, Lowell Nelson;
coincidence?
Hmm
Dear Church Member,
1.) So my question to those who were abused and misused at MBA is why you blame the SDA church for actions antithetical to everything the church stands for?
A)Because so many have stood by and have held the coats of those that abuse and misuse. When these incidences of abuse finally come to light, it is never one victim and it is never only the abuser that knew. Many knew and did nothing to stop the abuse.
B)Blaming Adventism for teachers who used drugs and alcohol (clearly antithetical to Adventism), were sexual predators (you all know how opposed to fornication the church is), and misused Sabbath hours, is like blaming Judiasm for a Jew who sold you a bad item on the Sabbath!
It's not Judiasm that is at fault, it is a Failure of Judiasm that is at fault.
The church must be more thanbervally opposed. Adventism is not to blame, the resposnibility rests with those that profess adventism and do nothing. The numbers involved in that are staggering
C)It would seem to someone who has seen the beauty, love, and comfort of Adventist teachers and schools, that what MBA needed was more Adventism or real Adventism, not less?
You cannot seperate the beauty of adventism from the ugliness of those teachers and faculty that knew what was going on and did nothing. To the victim ,one and the same.
2.) Why when you know the pain from being victimized by low, cruel, filthy behavior do choose to verbally abuse your audience? Do you choose an abusive vocabulary ("Fucking", "Shit") so that those of us who were not misused get a taste of how you felt? Sharing the pain in a minor way?
Sometimes that is the only way that a victim can find to express their anger.
3.) And why should the average real Adventist today in the Central California Conference (those who walk the talk and pay tithes and offerings) have to take $ 3.5 million to divide between you and your lawyers, for the moral failure of these sick and disgusting individuals for things done 20-30 years ago?
A) All employees walk and talk and pay tithe, they do this while molesting and raping your children. The settlement should be looked at not only for the disgusting moral failure of the sick and disgusting individuals that did this, but the moral failure of the ones that allowed it and the denomination for not helping and aiding the victims now, WITHOUT A LAWSUIT. Remeber it is the real adventist that sits in the pew and allows this to be the problem it is. It continues to be so because the blame continues to be shifted back to the victim, however subtly. Just as you are doing here IMO
B)To me it all feels very primitive, tribal, and vindictive. I suffered so therefore to heal my suffering, now you must suffer too.
Perhaps what they would like is for you to take a proactive role, before the worst happens, instead of passing judgement on them know, without ever having walked in their shoes.
C)This doesn't feel to me like healing,
1.This doesn't feel to me like healing, it feels like perpetuation of abuse?
Until you have walked in their shoes you do not know,nor can you compare this to their feelings of abuse.
2.I feel like those who were goosed, except that instead of being abused by a teacher, I am being abused by the victims and their lawyers for sins I never committed and actions I would never condone.
You and all members are abused by those that sexually molest another. Only you choose to blame the victim and the lawyers, rather than placing the blame on the abuser and his lawyer's, those that represent the denomination.
3.But must I as a Seventh-day Adventist member now suffer in silence verbal and financial abuse by the victims?
Church member
The victims have suffered in silence foe years. You don't have to. You can be as proactive and vocal as you have the courage to be. You canbegin in your local school and church. If you are willing to take the personal hits on this topic, there is much to do.
Awareness must be raised. Eduation and preventative measures MUST be in place. Policies written, inacted forcfully. An advocate to help abuse victims trhu the process. Volunatry screening MUST become mandatory. No need to remain silent and suffer at all. Ae you up the personal hits you will take along the way.
Bonnie
www.survivors-n-thrivers.com
Dear Anonymous (with the Ivan Mallernee connection):
When did this happen to you (I'm hoping 1988 or later)?
Do you personally know of others?
Kudos for putting this out there. If nothing else, you've got paper trail started that might help a victim down the road.
Seriously, I respect you.
Dear Bonnie of survivors and thrivers.
I appreciate your ministry of helping the victims of abuse, and I don't condemn you for using whatever tools are available to fight against perversion, injustice, denial, and the perpetuation of abuse.
Could you then listen to a little true story?
An Italian man was noted by his coworkers and neighbors to always be impeciably dressed. Although not wealthy, his shoes were nice and always shined. His suits were of beautiful fabrics that had a soft feel and pleasing colors. His shirts complemented his suits, and he often had a handkerchief that matched. He was neat, and always nicely dressed, sometimes with a flower in his lappel.
An observant coworker decided to ask why he was always so well dressed?
During WWII, he said, I was a prisoner of war. For nearly 2 years I survived in pain, filth, and humiliation. I was tortured, starved, beaten, and treated as vermin. I saw terrible things happen to others and experienced terrible things myself.
When I found that I had survived I decided that as far as possible I would try to bring beauty, color, taste, and happiness into my life.
I choose to live exactly opposite of everything that happend to me in that prisoner of war camp. I want people to feel happy when they see me, and I dress to please others and enhance beauty.
Bonnie, how can you and I help the abused to move beyond victimization and retaliation status into purveyors of love, honesty, truth, and beauty?
Is it not possible to overcome evil with good instead of lawsuits, revenge, and cash settlements?
I don't love money and would be happy to have $3.5 million spent to help victims of abuse. But giving large settlements to individuals and their lawyers doesn't help the hundreds/thousands of victims you know of, and puts the church organization into a defensive position.
Dear Church Member,
You may not "care" about money but apparently money is the primary motivator for "the Church". Hitting them in the pocket book seems to be the only thing they understand. And by the way, 3.5 million is a joke for the SDA church and maybe caused their insurance premium to go up just a little, boohoo.
For those out of statute it was the ONLY RECOURSE they had for any sort of justice.
Once again, before you preach about forgiveness and revenge, etc. please note that no one has ever admitted any wrong doing, asked for forgiveness, and at least one potential perp. is walking around free talking about how he didn't have to pay a dime.
Are you saying that those of us who believe that a lifelong child molestor is walking around free should just kindly "not pass judgement" and bury our heads up our asses - like what was done for the past 35+ years?
Sorry, not going to happen. You can be a good little pious adventist who blindly and willingly accepts whatever those you perceive to be your masters tell you.
I'm going to follow my conscience and say that justice needs to be served and that if the accounts are true (ie properly investigated) then the guilty need to go to prison where they belong.
Dear Church Member,
Let me respond one by one to your statements/questions/platitudes.
Just for the record, I myself, I was not a victim of sexual abuse. Another incident caused my interest.
1.Dear Bonnie of survivors and thrivers.
I appreciate your ministry of helping the victims of abuse, and I don't condemn you for using whatever tools are available to fight against perversion, injustice, denial, and the perpetuation of abuse.
I am glad to hear that and hope that you will also take this time to educate yourself on what each church member can do besides utter the same old tired refrains. This gets everyone no where fast in the search of a solution. My fight and that of members of SNT, those that have been posting here, AND YES YOURS should be one and the same.
2.Could you then listen to a little true story?
Of course, if you then listen to me
3.An Italian man was noted by his coworkers and neighbors to always be impeciably dressed. Although not wealthy, his shoes were nice and always shined. His suits were of beautiful fabrics that had a soft feel and pleasing colors. His shirts complemented his suits, and he often had a handkerchief that matched. He was neat, and always nicely dressed, sometimes with a flower in his lappel.
An observant coworker decided to ask why he was always so well dressed?
During WWII, he said, I was a prisoner of war. For nearly 2 years I survived in pain, filth, and humiliation. I was tortured, starved, beaten, and treated as vermin. I saw terrible things happen to others and experienced terrible things myself.
When I found that I had survived I decided that as far as possible I would try to bring beauty, color, taste, and happiness into my life.
I choose to live exactly opposite of everything that happend to me in that prisoner of war camp. I want people to feel happy when they see me, and I dress to please others and enhance beauty.
As soon as the way I dress prevents a pedophile from molesting and raping another child I wiil be happy taking that non-aggressive approach
4.Bonnie, how can you and I help the abused to move beyond victimization and retaliation status into purveyors of love, honesty, truth, and beauty?
By listening, by support, by helping them make sure that this does not happen to others. That takes more than the way I dress. Not seeing them as seeking retatliation because they still get angry over what happened to them. Not blaming them for their own victimization. That would be a start in helping them regain trust in "chruch member"
5.Is it not possible to overcome evil with good instead of lawsuits, revenge, and cash settlements?
Without lawsuits the church leadership would not listen. I would suggest you ask them why and keep asking them till they answer you. Is it possible for the church to step up to the plate and return good for the evil they have allowed to fester, grow and then try deperately tp cover-up. My own personal opinion, without lawsuits is no, but ask them for the victims.
6.I don't love money and would be happy to have $3.5 million spent to help victims of abuse. But giving large settlements to individuals and their lawyers doesn't help the hundreds/thousands of victims you know of, and puts the church organization into a defensive position.
You and others just like yourself do not need 3.5 million to help victims of abuse. You need to quit sitting on your pious hands in the pew and become angry enough to put a stop to this. The leadership does and allows just what it does because it can. It can because of the willing participation of church members just like yourself. You do not have to remain silent. You do so because you to not have the courage to face what these folks have, yet you will condmen them.
You want someone to blame for lawsuits and cash settlements. Take the blame to its source. Ask them why they are willing to make you,Mrs Chruch Member pay and be abused, ask them why they will not bring it to an end.
Bonnie, how can you and I help the abused to move beyond victimization and retaliation status into purveyors of love, honesty, truth, and beauty?
Response: I AM A VICTIM AND I am a person who shares love, honesty, truth and desperately I wish to share beauty beyond what I have seen in the world.
Despite all that has happened I have survived. I have survived to help others. We can be happy and full of love and still want the abuser be brought to justice. For these others to bring their abusers to justice DOES show healing.
I agree, I see it in members of SNt all the time. The response to Chruch member is that she can do something besides a passive response to this.
It begins in each chruch and school, BEFORE there is a victim. Before there is a lawsuit. AND that is not being done. The blame is being shifted back to those that have been harmed again and again. Put the blame squarely where it belongs, and those that do, put their energies into ensuring that they do not have to concern themselves with so many lawsuits. Much of the solution rests in their hands if they would work as actively at awareness and prevention as they do at blame.
Bonnie
This conversation is a bit disjointed, even though it is less than 24 hours old.
I began with a clear statement of justice for the guilty, even an overly agressive opinion on proper punishment for those involved and their defenders. I'll reproduce that statement: "I personally favor manditory castration for first time sexual offenders, and the death penalty for second time proven offenders. And would support any actions that would disbar from teaching, disfellowship from communion, and jail and financially punish any sexual predators, and those who covered up their sins at the expense of victims."
I have never suggested we should forgive and forget the guilty. In fact I am not writing at all because I am concerned about the guilty.
I am writing only because I am concerned about the victims.
A campaign to punish all Adventists (the church) for the sins of some, and to hold those who live by the standards of the church responsible for those who do not, may feel like a good solution to victims and their supporters.
It does not feel good, nor just, nor healing, nor fair, nor helpful, nor spiritual, nor even wise to me.
My concern for you experts in abuse is that using worldly wisdom (take them to court and sue their socks off) to solve spiritual problems (shame, rage, depression, suicide, anger, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, panic attacks) doesn't work.
Perhaps you don't intend it, but I feel anger against those of us who quietly and primly "sit on their hands". (Instead of what, marching in quick time to your drum?)
Painting a whole group as "the enemy" is a tactic used by militarists all the time. Nazi's used it against Jews. Joe McCarthy used it against Communists. And it always abuses innocent lives in the attacked groups. You are abusing innocent people in your declaired enemy, "the organized SDA church".
How can it help a victim to become a victimizer?
Finally thank you for the huge complement of thinking that I am Mrs. Church Member. I am honored that this male appeared sensitive enough to be mistaken as female in writing.
Oh Dear God.
I just spent an hour reading this whole thing. I also was there during this time, and know these people, except Michael, although I'm sure I'd know him if I knew his former name.
When informed of this lawsuit, I immediately knew which two teachers to suspect. I mentally threw in another, for his known tendencies for getting a little too close to female students, but no one has mentioned him here, yet. I never witnessed him do anything, so let him remain anonymous.
I have very clear memories of my time at MBA, down to remembering what kind and color of clothes many of my classmates wore, who talked to whom, who I talked with, where and when, and basic topics, etc...
I grew up with the families involved here. I am sickened by this whole thing. And angry. We were so innocent and naive back then. I witnessed and experienced things myself, but never reported it. I got "the goose" once myself, but a strong "Don't do that again" and that was the extent of my negative experiences with Nelson.
But the last 1/4 of my junior year, Wittlake would come into our room, and crawl into my roommate's bed and try to tickle him. He (my roomie) would cry for me to help him, but I figured all he had to do was what I would have done, which was punch the teacher and tell him to get out. I was disgusted by the "weakness" of my roommate in putting up with this.
Arggggghhhhh!!! I was so innocent. Pedophilia and homosexuality was so vile and disgusting to me then that I couldn't imagine that a teacher at a good school would be doing anything more than some playful teasing. I made it known (to Wittlake) the second time that I didn't want Wittlake coming into our room, because me roomie wasn't effectively getting him to leave. Did I save my roommate from having the abuse escalate? Did it just change to another location? The questions haunt, torture me.
class of '85
Dear Church Member;
I too am disgusted. The fact that the church is protecting a sex offender in spite of mountains of evidence... truly preventing him from being tried... I am overwhelmed with fear about what may be happening to children in the NCC that are part of Nelson's chosen environment. Although I am not an attorney, I believe I have my facts straight with the following:
1. In 2003, There was a 1-year lifting of the statute of limitations that made it possible for CIVIL pursuit of sex offenders. The catalyst for this was the widespread abuses throughout the Catholic faith.
2. When a civil case is launched, they name defendants up and down the line... any person or entity that should have had knowledge or was in a position to act will be included on the list of defendants. Opens the door wide open if one on the list has deep enough pockets to kill the case, and kill it they (the CCC) did... with 3.5 million dollars.
What would you suggest to the victims (I too want to see them achieve a healthy form of justice and closure with the accused)? Obviously if they hadn't settled but instead went the distance, the victims would have had the chance to bring down a pedophile, but I suspect the GC/CCC would have just pulled a higher number... high enough to ensure this goes away. I stopped funding the church of my youth many many years ago... a direct result of similir hypocrisy on other issues... and yet they have deep enough pockets to prevent the truth and sponsor monsters.
We need to make sure it does NOT go away. Nelson will face an accuser in a court of law, someday, some way... but in the meantime I (father of 3, eldest 14y old) am screaming WHEN!!! (along with many others). Yes... it needs to be ONLY about the victims, but focusing on ensuring that there are NO MORE victims.
It's as simple as a case going far enough down the line for a search warrant to capture Wittlake's writings/journals.
Clarification re: my use of the word sponsorship... Any individual or organization that delivers a feeling of invincibility to a Pedophile practically guarantees the continuation and escalation of his horrific acts. Although I am not very enamored of the church of my youth, I still want to believe that they would prefer spending 3.5 mil in your tithes sponsoring missionaries overseas over this kind of sponsorship.
David Howard
MBA Class of '80
Get it straight-you SO CALLED CHURCH MEMBER. Member?? Right!! Male MEMBER! I remember a MALE-MEMBER from your SO CALLED CHURCH--WHAT A SICK JOKE.
GOD will give JUSTICE to you and your kind. GET REAL and GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR OWN SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS!!
Pharissees!! HYPOCRITES!! YOU ARE A BROOD OF SEETHING VIPERS THAT WILL BE DUST UNDER THE FEET OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. YOUR SICKNESS IS CLEAR.
Remember when Mr. Church and his "hall monitors" would conduct surprise room searches to look for "evil things" like walkmans, radios, televisions, etc.? Maybe if they would have been watching more carefully for items or behavior that in the real world was actually inappropriate, some of these things could have been prevented.
I was a student at MBA in the early 90s. The thing that struck me about "Uncle Lowell" was that he was so much looser than all the other uptight faculty members (aside from Pastor Speier). You could talk to him about stuff and he wouldn't "get Biblical" on you.
On the other hand his favorite topic was sex. At the time, I put it down to his being a biology teacher. I too was given the "test of manhood" with the dried bull penis. I think all the guys were. One time he asked me if I masturbated. He told me he thought he was going straight to hell when he was a teenager because he did it so much. He also said that Ellen G. White was a product of her times and that she had some overly puritanical views on the subject. I didn't know what to make of that.
On another occasion somehow the topic of boys not being allowed to feed the baby cows was brought up (I'm not even going to go there). Mr. Nelson responded that young boys "will screw just about anything." He proceeded to tell me about some of the sexual scandals at school. One guy apparently would give his roommates porn magazines and then perform oral sex on them when they got aroused. The "perpetrator" denied this accusation when confronted. Another guy would go to his room at the same time every day and masturbate. Nelson said that might be overdoing it a bit. The guys would tell Uncle Lowell these things because they felt they could trust him.
Frankly, Uncle Lowell was one of my favorite teachers at MBA. He never "goosed" me or tried to molest me or did anything that I felt was inappropriate. Yes, I did see him sunbathing in the nude on one occasion. I just thought he was "a character."
Yet, as I think about it, it's unusual to have such a preoccupation with sex. That's about the only thing he ever talked about. There's a quote in the Bible - "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (I'm paraphrasing). Looking back, I don't know what to think.
yeah, that and saying his wife always had penis envy because everyone else in the family was male.
YUCK!
David Howard, thank you for your explanations. I still don't see the purpose of the CCC settling for $ 3.5 million as an attempt to "protect the sex offender"?
Because this was a suit for a "deep pocket" (an organization with bank accounts) they settled for $3.5 million because the church's lawyers know the case appears strong that these people are guilty and the church could loose the lawsuit if it went to trial, for unknown millions.
A good thing from the settlement, as I understand it, is that besides cash, there was also a commitment to change procedures by the CCC to protect children in the future from sexual predators? I know that in my own congregation all Sabbath School teachers and Pathfinder leaders have to be vetted by the police as non-child molesters before allowed to serve. This has been happening for some time now in response to other cases before this one, and is a good thing.
If you or I or our lawyers were interested in "justice" could we sue the individuals involved without the deep pocket and finances of the organized church behind them to protect them, in this case Lowell Nelson? Couldn't we then shut him down financially even if we could not jail him?
Dear "disgusted", you are right I am sick and guilty, perhaps not of what you think, but I don't deny my crime. I really am interested in helping make this sick world that I am part of better, instead of making it worse. You may feel a world without an imperfect church would be a better world. I have seen enough of the sickness in the world outside of the church to prefer the struggle to make it better that goes on inside the church, as feeble and defective as it obviously is.
Not everyone in the church is guilty of abuse and not everyone is morally corrupt, even those who look for a better solution to this than lawsuits for cash.
Church Member:
Oh geez, man . . . . .
Why wasn't the Church interested in changing policy without a monetary "fine"? Why did it take this kind of case to open their eyes? Why didn't they take a hint from the Catholic priest scandals and purge themselves on their own initiative? Either they didn't want to know, or didn't know - but now they do.
Like I said earlier, it requires a penalty more stiff than the cost of the litigation to make those changes in the 'corporation'.
Of course not everyone in our Church is a pedophile - we're not stupid. However, we cannot afford to allow the few to maintain their 'crusade of sexual deviancy' in this day and age. Our children pay a much heftier price than 3.5 million.
3.5 million is not much in the bigger picture, however the churchwide policy changes are huge!!!
So, please, just put your pride flag down for just a bit to allow us to have the pedophiles vetted and purged from our system. This needed to happen due to the actions (or lack thereof) of our administrators.
You seem to have plenty of criticism of this, but yet provide no alternatives that have actually worked - and it's too late now anyway - we're moving forward as a Church with or without your support.
Update on Weimar and Lowell Nelson:
Several other people and I have hammering away at Weimar for their involvement with Lowell Nelson. When originally asked, Weimar said it was not true - 'Nelson has never and will work for us'.
However, after being confronted with several reports indicating otherwise, and the fact that my friend took classes from him, they sent the following letter:
Dear John,
Thank you for coming to me with your concerns. I understand why you feel that we were purposely trying to mislead you. However, let me assure you that we do not intend to dishonest in any way. Allow me to explain:
When I received the questions about whether Lowell Nelson had ever worked here at Weimar, I checked with the president of Weimar Institute and the academic dean of Weimar College; both were of the understanding that Mr. Nelson had not been employed here. I based my reply that you read on their responses. Then, in organizing some old files, I came across his personnel file last week and realized he had taught here for the two classes your friend took. This was a shock to me. I meant to post this information immediately, but have been swamped as I work two jobs here at Weimar. I'm apologize for not making the correction earlier.
It appears to me that what happened is that Mr. Nelson had worked here for a brief time before either the president or academic dean began to work here in 2001. So neither was aware that he had taught the two classes as a contract teacher.
Please do rest assure though, that he as not worked here since, and will not be hired in the future. We have no intentions of hiring someone accused of peadophilia on our campus. As far as I have been able learn, there was no evidence of inappropriate conduct while he was here, thankfully!
Thank you again for clarifying with us, and my apologies for not getting the information I discovered to you right away as I intended to do.
Shenalyn Page
Director, Education Marketing
Weimar College
Hmm . . .
Only the two classes my friend took? What are the odds of that? Makes me think they're not being fully honest with me. However, they deny any intentional misleadings.
To use an overused expression: I report, you decide . . .
Oh my, I am getting tired of the taste of my shoe in my mouth! Sorry, this is a hard thread to break into in a positive and helpful way. I'll try one more time.
I tagged myself "church member" not because of pride but in the interest of honesty. I wanted the bias based on my positive experiences as a student in Seventh-day Adventist education up front.
Some correspondents in this thread tar the entire SDA church with this very filthy and disgusting brush.
If I didn't know better and I read these emails I would conclude that Adventism (at lest in the Central California Conference) is a bunch of sick perverts, who largely spend their time thinking of ways to lure and abuse innocent children!
On the other hand the thread has been quite supportive of lawsuits.
So exactly what has happened post lawsuit?
a.) Most of the sick people who abused vulnerable children/young adults are still walking around free.
b.) Policies enunciated in 1995 by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists we assume are being better adhered to.
c.) A small handful of the apparant many victims and their lawyer have a bundle of cash.
d.)Because of this and other litigation the church organizations are in a lager mode, pulling the wagon's around to defend themselves from financial ruin.
e.) This deforms church leaders from pastors seeking to heal their church to defendants struggling to protect their stewardship of other people's money.
Again is not pride this is gratitude--for hundreds of thousands of us SDA education has been in the past and is today hugely positive, nurturing, and overwhelmingly helpful to the vast majority. Please don't weaken it while you seek to purify, correct, and strengthen it.
This grateful and appreciative former SDA student wants to say to victims of a wolf in Adventist clothing: We are very sorry for what happened to you, and would like to help you heal.
But please don't begin slaughtering sheep to get back at the wolf.
Thank you for considering a different view than some others in this thread.
I think as posted earlier, these pedophiles wouldn't be walking the streets had the statute of limitations not expired. I think all of us who knew these teachers and who suffered their abuse, would feel so much better if they were at least held responsible for their actions.
So the church really admitted wrong-doing by paying the victims, but did the victims ever get any kind of healing from having their abuser admit their wrong-doings? I think not. Yet again the victims are robbed again of a chance at healing, because essentially the conference protected the perps again if you really think about it. Pay the money and it will all go away...ask the teacher to leave but never report it as a crime to the police...
...let him go quietly so he has no record and he can #1 easily teach again either in a different conference or in the public school system. Yes they can still teach when the schools just ask them to leave.
You know, I am kinda surprised the conference protects these individuals. Were they afraid of looking bad? I think they look worse because they allow these people to continue on molesting when they quietly let them go and hope to God that none of us ever come back and say anything. Well, I hope they are learning their lesson. They need to listen to and take care of their studets entrusted to them!!!
Hey Church Member,
Has anyone ever hurt you so bad that you wish you could die and any self-respect is shredded from your very soul to where you hate yourself every single day that you wake up. Maybe, maybe not... My point?? I actually have no idea. It is just the anger inside me that rages on and longs for someone to just say..."I am so sorry, and I understand your pain." That's all.
Anonymous, no, not your pain. I know a little share of the world's pain, but not yours. My grandfather was a polygamist and my father grew up under the stigma illigitimacy, so I understand some sense of family sexual shame. We've had premature death and suffering of loved ones. We've become intimite with unplanned chronic disabilities (quadraplegia in two of our immediate family) till they just seems natural.
But there is no balance sheet for pain --what is hard for me seems easy to you, what might seem easy to me is overwhelming for you.
So all I can honestly say is, I am very sorry, and I read the articles and this entire thread before talking through it to others and to you to try and understand the pain, and enhance its permanant cure.
Being ashamed of my church allowing predators to hurt you is part of my little pain, and fearing that a litigation driven response will destroy healthy Adventist education is another part of my pain.
I'm sure this response is inadequate and again I am sorry that it can not in any way match your pain.
Dear Church Member,
Your response is not inadequate and I do appreciate you taking the time to write it and share a little more.
I want to believe in SDA/Christian education too. Fourteen of my 16 years in Adventist education were fabulous and I believe are why I am a better person today. I had wonderful teachers along the way who cared about me when my family didn't. Who taught me who to love myself.
I don't believe the abuse is the church's fault in general. I think no matter what institution it is, unfortunately there will be horrible individuals that will take advantage of their position of power.
Would I send my kids to Adventist schools? You bet! (though I might not send them to a boarding school where I don't have as much contact with them).
My personal opinion is that people in the church are reponsible. Individuals who were the abusers and inviduals who turned the other way.
"The church" is a pretty broad term for the abusers and I'm not sure that is what we are saying in our accusations. I may be wrong, but I am willing to bet that the others who have been abused have good stories to share of their adventist education too. It just has been terribly clouded by some awful people. AND...I am very sorry for your pain that you have suffered as well.
Take care!
I think I may be alone in this opinion, but any church (or any organization) that covers up for predators (either knowingly or not) should reap the consequences, whether we as church members likes what it does to the church or not. If this consequence is litigation and it "destroys" the healthy Adventist education (and I question whether it is really healthy) then that is the result. Institutions don't go on forever, unless they are constantly checking themselves to see if they deserve their reputation and results. Clearly MBA, it's officials and higher-ups at the SDA conference were not looking inward and were more concerned with "saving" their reputation instead of cleaning it. Had they dealt with issues early on, they would not be where they are today. And the church has to pay the consequences. If this means utter financial ruin of the church, is that so bad? I think the lesson might be useful. Can't the religion survive without million of dollars. It is what's in people's heart that matters, not the institution, buildings and system.
If MBA and the SDA church had addressed this when it happened, the sick people who abused vulnerable children/young adults would NOT be still walking around free. The fact that a lawyer and the plaintiff have some cash is just a natural result of our legal system, with which the SDA church took a calculated risk in not addressing the allegations early on.
If financial ruin of a church (or religion) is the outcome, it will be a good lesson for the world.
I think I'll remain with Anonymous on this one.
To update the issue, if I were killed or maimed on a London Subway by a terrorist bomber, I would not consider the destruction of the subway system an intelligent or moral response to the authorities for having not protected me from the bombers.
So I do not consider MBA Alumni's vision of the financial ruin of the SDA church or its educational institutions even remotely appropriate for the vilest sins of some.
Dear misguided church member - -
There is an old saying - - - something about when you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, at the very least STOP DIGGING!
Poor taste to use another terrible event to try to explain you thoughts on the ones discussed here...
The bomber on the London Subway was not employed by the London Subway. Other passengers on that subway had not tried to tell those in charge that they knew what this bomber was doing. The SDA "Church" system has protected Nelson (their employee) during and after. Weimar even hired him and tried to deny they did not!
I hope you have another SHOE because the one in your mouth is about chewed through!
I should not catch up on this thread and respond @ 12:53A without proof reading sorry.
your thoughts - and Weimar has tried to cover up their connection with Nelson...
I hope all were following me either way!
If the CCC and MBA had not been listed as codefendants, then the original perpetrators would have been on the hook for the civil suit themselves. That is my limited layman's understanding. So why name the others in the suit unless it really was about money?
Any institution worth its salt is going to try to protect its assets, if it wants to survive to accomplish its mission. Those who think the Conference has deep pockets have obviously never served very long on a church board, or constituency meeting, and seen the actual monetary balances which they have to work with to accomplish their mission.
Yes, some churches have money to buy personal jets, commision expensive art, send their leaders to fancy hotels in posh resorts. I haven't seen this church do that, ever. But maybe I'm reading the wrong magazines and newspapers.
If you are thirsty for justice, go after the perpetrators. Voth may have covered up things too, but he is out of the picture now too. Why didn't they go over his head to the conference? These were serious allegations, and I've seen plenty of people go directly to the conference for much more trivial issues.
I'm horrified and terribly sorry for any and all who suffered, but why go after institutions that never knew abuse was taking place?
MBA fired Whitlake for giving students alcohol. If that is all they knew that he was doing, how many public schools are going to worry about that? It was enough for Adventist schools to never hire him again, because they have a different standard. But most schools don't have the same standard.
Can someone who knows more than I comment on how often police prosecute those adults who serve alcohol to minors? Especially around the era when many states had a legal drinking age of 18?
Obviously some here had a very bad experience with the MBA administration. That is a shame on the church, that more truly Christlike individuals were not in that position. I was there and cannot disagree with that assessment of some in admin. But perhaps they were doing the best they knew how, too.
As a public school employee, I know that had any mention of alcohol, drugs or misconduct ever been mentioned, the employees wouldn't stand a chance in hell of ever teaching again. They'd be out the door, fast!
Had the administration acted correctly, THEY would have reported these teachers to the police, they would have a criminal record, they wouldn't have continued teaching...yes Whitlake and Mallernee were able to continue teaching. Even if they did fire Whitlake, that didn't give him a record and it allowed him to continue his abuse. What kind of churchlike behavior is that? Mallernee kept teaching too, despite accusations towards him. UNBELIEVABLE!
Deep breath...this just is all so sad. So many kids were hurt!
My life is frozen in time
I was frozen then
and frozen now.
Ice beginning to melt
realizing how i felt
scared confused angry
5 years, 10, 15
Every year a painful reminder
Wondering
Will the frozen feeling
ever disappear
do those of you at the top
have any idea
your dismisal hurt
just as much
as his awful, disgusting touch
Kudos, Anonynous:
Clear, concise verbage captures the pain.
Thank you.
Whittlake was fired because he became uncontrollable within the confines of inner circle of pedophiles and "yes" men that ran MBA and the Conference. He was busted red handed going after another teachers son. He was acting in an lonewolf, outside-the-box way. He became a threat to the entire elaborate system that was strategically placed by the President and his confidant the director of education for the CCC conference-Who was reported and investigated for repeatedly raping an 8th grade boy,while serving as the boy's principle in an adventist academy in the central conference. Instead of police reports, the president moved him into the conference office with a new promotion-"DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION" for the CCC!! There is so much more in this pandora's box, it sickens all to even bear witness to it. From the front office on down to VOTH and NELSON, Mallernee, and BAERG, among others, WHITTLAKE threatened this regime.
amazing... totally amazing... i am an adventist youth from United Kindom, and all this that ive bin reading is really SICKENING... not just these terrible stories, but the fact that people are associating the WHOLE church with these sick minded individuals!
i grew up in the SDA church, both in Portugal, and UK,have 3 generations of pastors, and know many more, and i have never heard of this going on over here! (this is not to say that it does not happen...)
why associate some Human errors to the whole thing??? i know everyone mucks up, etc... but if the leaders of our church are corrupt, it just goes to show: money is still a problem wherever you go, BUT... if you find a devout SDA... they will tell you that it is not 'Gods will', but far more Satans will (many people dont tend to like talking about Satan, but if u beleive in God you have to see satans work too...)
so tell me: was it Gods will that these students, men and women be scared for the rest of their lives? definatly not! if Gods only intent is to save and draw us closer, what do men like Whitlake (and the other guy) do to potential SDAs? i ask again: Gods doing, or Satans? dont judge the whole church because of these life ruiners... but be always warry as to how satan might try to use PEOPLE to get to YOU! (and thats from personal experiance!)
and i pray for all these idividuals affected by these attrocities...
our God is an awsome God, and he can and will be there for you... he was there for me when i thought there was no return...
regards...
DT
Dear DT:
You make valid points.
I would like to point out that the majority of the naturally angry responses (not all of them) are directed at the ORGANIZATIONAL end of the Church. I don't believe that the people who've chosen to speak out on this forum are stupid enough to think that the WHOLE Church (membership - leadership) are all sickos.
I don't think that the Catholic Church (people) as a whole are responsible for the sexual stuff - but I hold the organizational end of it responsible for not doing enough.
I don't hold my Muslim buddies responsible for the terrorist actions, but I hold the organization end of Islam responsible for not doing enough.
There is a difference.
It's easy to take it personally. When my friend Brian Holland (above) outlined his nightmare, I TOOK IT PERSONALLY.
If a close friend or a brother of yours endured the torture under these circumstances, think about what your reaction might be.
Some of these guys have had the SDA 'rules and regulations' shoved down their collective throats, and I think the responses reflect how they've felt about it.
Bottom line is, we HAVE to take care of business with these pedophiles, or else yours and my children will suffer like I did.
The Central California Conference has just released a press release about the settlement in this case. It can be viewed at:
http://www.atoday.com/
Story.6+M5...b81d15a6.0.html
Thank you Anonymous:
"However, the Church has admitted no guilt" . . .
Somebody get me a moist towelette; I feel dirty and I'm not even the pervert . . .
My wife and I have been talking about this lately and talking with other friends who also went to MBA.
The thing that finally set in as really shocking is that we accepted as normal that a teacher would regularly spend time naked with students and that he would regularly and repeatedly put his hand in the chair of male students, grabbing, probing and sometimes moving his hand forward and up. Nelson admits this much, almost excusing it. This alone may qualify as sexual abuse and today if a public school teacher did this even once they would probably lose their job and credential, they definately would be fired if it happened repeatedly.
But we (people who were there) seem to have accepted it as merely a quirk of a teacher.
If a male teacher had done this so publicly to female students, there probably would have been more response.
I am in shock! I can't even imagine this is true! I really can't understand how someone can TRY TO MANIPULATE AND BE SO OBVIOUS IN THIS ATTEMPT. I'm even curious if this message will actually be published on this...pop-up.
First of all where did you get the inspiration when finding the names : DAVID LYNCH (no kidding!), SHANNON BARTLETT (to whom, by the way, I will write an e-mail letting her know that her name is used without her permission ), BRIAN HOLLAND (can I laugh now?!) Honnest people out there: these people really exist, they are known to the public as artists, non-adventist artists!!!I mean, is it lack of imagination ??...I guess all your imagination was consumed with writing those detailled descriptions of sexual abuse. I wouldn't be surprised if this pop up was read every day by pedophiles trying to see if something new just popped up, maybe they'll get some innovating ideas...
My second point is, and I'll make it short, if this comment does not appear on the net, I won't even bother trying to point out other obvious mistakes you made, nor will I dennigrate your site on forums or build a special site to do it. You are not woth the advertising!
Just try not to think you've got everybody fooled! (not that anyone with a real life would spend more than 10 minutes on this site :2 minutes to figure out what you're pointing at, 3 minutes to trace a psohological profile, and 5 minutes to write the only honest comment here) Sarcasm is sometimes good for one's stomach.
Everyone wants to be a comedian, Alexandra . . .
First of all I went to grade school and high school with David Lynch, and Brian, and Shannon too - who is a guy - and a funny guy at that.
OK, OK; I get the Lynch reference, but what are the significances of the other names? (Diedre Holland perhaps - ahem - - - don't ask - Shannon Dougherty?)
I'd love your response when you learn that Richard Osborn who graduated from MBA in 65 or 66 and who is the president of Pacific Union College had a nickname at MBA -
Ozzie
. . . (for obvious legal reasons, I spelled it differently LOL)
Thanks for the laugh
correction, I did not go to grade school with Shannon or Brian - just high school.
Wow,
I haven't read this for a couple of weeks and I have to say So much of this just floors me. John and David, thank you for actually doing some real footwork and research that can make a difference. Thank you Bonnie for who you are in the world, for the difference you make for victims.
I have a couple of comments to make regarding the whole Church/monetary settlement/abusers issue.
1. Why is it so inherent in the christian culture that any sexual abuses/transgressions are the fault of the victim? I can scarcely sit and type this when I read some suggestions that children/ barely young men actually sought out and asked for this! Viewpoints like this have enabled sexual deviants to persist, protected under the guise of being a righteous leader or teacher. Of course all teeagers are bad right?!
2. For those of you who love scripture, when Jesus came to the temple in Jerusalem and found it full of merchants and animals, he rose up in righteous indignation and cleansed the temple saying this is the house of god and you have turned it into a den of theives. Now why is it so hard for the church, the administrators, the Laodicians sitting in their proverbial pews to get up and CLEANSE the TEMPLE?!
3. It really amazes me that there is any discussion at all about the money. Let alone these last 50 or so postings. If I were still in the church, I would actually forward a fund to aid the victims of the abuse and their legal battles with the CCC. I am willing to take on any organization that protects perpetrators of abuse or sticks their heads in the sand(it's the same thing).
4. Somehow, I'm not sure how, some posters are not hearing that the only mode of action available to my friends in seeking justice, was indeed the path they took. And since the CCC didn't want the case to go to trial, they offered up a settlement. Now what would you really do if you were really honest with yourself...spend another 2-3 years of expensive sitting on tacks waiting, putting your families thru the waiting, struggling to move a mountain, hoping to get justice,...or do like Michael did, ensure that preventative measures were immediately implimented and take the settlement. I know I'd do the latter.
5. I believe the victims are well on their way to healing...they took leaps as soon as they stepped forward to prosecute. What I find glaringly missing is WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? Now that you have all this lurid, disgusting, nasty gossip, who are you going to be in the world about it? Where are you going to make a difference in life, your own or someone elses? We are not here just to take up space! I challenge you. And even tho this is almost laughed at, I think you should really think about what would Jesus (the temple cleanser, not the pansy) do.
I also would like to repost my original comments from June 4th.
To everyone posting here and reading this. I would like to be clear I AM outraged. At first I was just stunned. I mean I've heard rumors over the last year, but when I read this report it was like I got kicked in the gut. I thought about throwing some blame around and getting really angry and telling everyone I know how sick Nelson is...but why? What is more effective? Me, taking on anger and resentment, and spreading bitterness? I hate having that stuff inside me now.
Now I do not know the facts. I cannot be the judge. I belive my friends, be that wrong or right. But my point is, the past is the past. No one can go back and change what's been done, whether it is the alleged abuse or if anyone is making anything up.
What I see is a powerful way to deal with abuse, is to see to it that it NEVER, ever happens again! I am committed, now, to that end. Being in the field of education puts me in an exceptional position to adress this. I have already shared with my high school students, how precious they are and they have a voice that must be heard, that they should never endure, or suffer any kind of abuse, NO MATTER WHAT. I told them to talk to other adults and keep talking until they are heard because there's going to be someone like me who is fearless in the pursuit of justice for them. I will protect, support, educate, all of "my kids" as long as I have a breath in my body. I'm all about Love and Empowerment and throwing stones, judgements, namecalling and muckraking will not achieve what I'm committed to. I will leave judgement to god and the courts.
I urge each of you to take this on as well. What we need in this world is commitment to what's going to create a better future for our children and their children.
I love you all,
Tammy March
Tammy March | 06.04.05 - 10:25 am | #
I just wanna give my support to all the guys that stepped up to go public with this. I'm sure it was one of the hardest things you ever had to do. I went to MBA for my senior year(graduated in '88 ). I remember being goosed by Nelson a few times...think I was too much of a dork back then for him to have had any interest in taking it any further than that. Guess I was one of the lucky ones that got to leave that place with good memories. I'm sorry more of us weren't on top of it enough to maybe have helped backed you guys up. Good luck with everything.
To the anonymous person who opened the case against Ivan Mallernee through the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office - Sexual Assault Division:
Please email me @ 67cruiser@sbcglobal.net to discuss this.
I need to know if you are the person who helped remove Mr. Mallernee from teaching, or are you perhaps another victim of his.
I'll maintain your anonymity.
Thanks
Is this page closed or has it moved?
Not sure - maybe folks are tired of talking about it
How many years was Mr. Church at Monterey Bay Academy and would he have been aware of these 2 teachers and what they were doing?
Concerned,
Depends on how you define aware. He was aware that Nelson and Whitlake spent a lot of time in the boys dorm. Did he turn a blind eye to certain behaviors from some students and not others? Yes. But I don't think he knew the full extent of what N and W were up to. If he did, he's the sort of man, I believe, who would have gone to Mr. Voth. And we all know Voth didn't do anything, and in fact from Weston's testimony, try to squelch the knowledge. I reckon it would weigh pretty heavy on one's soul given that Mr. Church had the responcibility over 250 young men, and Voth told him to be quiet. Mr. Church was no dummy, and he was good at sniffing things out, and judging motives and character. He may have known something was fishy about Nelson and Whitlake's attraction to the dorm like moths to the light. But perhaps the idea seemed so far-fetched and out of the norm that he denied thinking such sordid, sinful (to him) and uncomfortable thoughts.
All speculation of course. So in answer to your first question, Mr. Church was boy's dean for many years, though I don't know the exact figure. I'm sure the MBA administration would be happy to give you that information unless they pull a Wiemar.
Don't know exactly what Mr. Church knew or knows. I DO know that he cared about the kids and tried to do things the best he could. I spent a little time with him at Soquel campmeeting. I get along better with him now than Iever did then - he seems more laid back and softer than I remembered him.
I seriously doubt that Church, Chapman, or Baerg knew this stuff was happening. I mean, I witnessed some of this stuff with my own eyes, experienced unwelcome contact with one of the people, and *I* never suspected!
The allegation that there was an abuse ring that went all the way up to conference president is completely whacked. Come on. Try to be a little bit believable.
And yes, Alexandra, the names are real. I also know, and knew them.
As for the church not admitting guilt in their press release...Give me a break! Do you actually have any idea of the way the law works? They would be complete IDIOTS to admit to guilt. Especially if the current leadership had nothing to do with the original scandal.
It has NOTHING to do with protecting Nelson. Since the lawsuit put them into the same boat with him, they had to settle. Their settlement means that they believe there is enough truth to the allegations that Nelson abused boys, that it could be proven in court. Since they were technically the employer, they can also be held liable.
They are no happier over the situation than anyone else involved. But the situation was not of their making, so they made the best of it, to ensure the ministries and the things that the church wants to do in the world can go forward.
If true justice would be done here in this world, in this lifetime, then criminal charges for events still within the statute of limitations is the way to go.
CCC admitted the handling of these things were not adequate, and made changes. A little bit too slowly, perhaps. Perhaps a little too naive, at first, to believe that there were real wolves among the flock. I am glad that they have instituted new policies. That the truth is in the open. That the victims received some compensation for their suffering.
And like classmate Tammy, I will do what I can within my own sphere of influence to see that such things are prevented or addressed where I can. And pray for understanding, wisdom, and open eyes.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this whole mess since a friend emailed me the outcome last week. I’m overwhelmed by (apart from sympathy for the victims) disgust for an ideology that insists on covering up scandal at the expense of their own integrity. I thought it was a universal truth that although it’s difficult to admit fault, in the end it can lead to more trust and respect than denying fault. I know my respect for the Catholic Church has gone up (a little bit) when their spokespersons have offered public apologies along with their financial settlements to sex abuse victims. Although the Central California Conference admits that “it seems some of the evidence and allegations of individual misconduct have credibility,” they don’t even have the decency to express regret that their school was once staffed with such people.
I am glad to hear that this has led to a new policy r.e. sexual misconduct and the reporting thereof, but I have some concerns about that too. First, I think it’s important that a report never be made to just one person; some one else should always receive a copy of the email. Otherwise there’s no room for checks and balances, and in our good-old-boys-club of a denomination, that would just be inviting more cover-ups. For that reason I’d suggest that all reports be sent to, reviewed by, and investigated by an objective non-Adventist agency. The kids should be given the number of that agency, not a Conference pastor, as well-meaning as that pastor may be.
For those of us who were hoping to see justice served, it looks like we’ll have to wait.
I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of either the administrators (of the 1980’s) or the perpetrators on judgment day. As authority figures, the teachers will certainly be held to a higher standard (Matthew 18:6 comes to mind). But their superiors (who received reports from parents and students), who should have been acting as advocates for the children AND their sick employees, they failed doubly.
Incidentally, another person’s shoes I wouldn’t want to be in are those of the current MBA fundraiser. I foresee some lean years following this accountability void.
"I foresee some lean years following this accountability void."
Time will tell. I would be very careful playing prophet there.
I attended MBA for my junior and senior year, and I just loved it. However when all of these abuse allegations came up, I knew exactly who they would involve. I always heard strange stories about Mr. Nelson and Mr. Wittlake - I guess at that time I trustingly figured that if there were really serious things going on, they would be take care of by those in charge. I am so sorry for those who have suffered from this. Having never been through that type of situation, it is hard for me to identify, but my heart goes out to each of you.
I do however have to make a few points regarding Mr. Mallernee. I worked in the music building all afternoon as well as was in most musical groups. A friend of mine worked directly for Mr. Mallernee. We have thoroughly discussed this, and we never saw any behavior even questionable from him. We loved him as a teacher and he always kept a proffesional teacher/student relationship with all of us.
I know the girl who made the allegations against Mr. Mallernee (she worked for him)and find it interesting to note that when she continued on to PUC in college, she began to make the exact same allegations against the teacher she was working for there in the math department. He, however, figured out what was going on and quickly "shut her down". She became a teacher and from what I understand went on to have further sex related problems with co-workers. There is a pattern here. If she really suffered from abuse from Mr. Mallernee, I apologize for my disbelief of her story, but from my perspective, it seems that she's got the problem, not him. If she's really as she appears, people like her ruin it for those who really have been abused ( for example, these guys who were victims of Mr. Nelson and Mr. Wittlake). It makes you feel possible doubt about other's stories. And in the meantime, Mr. Mallernee's life has been destroyed. That's not fair either.
only God and I know the truth, so why bother trying to judge. And just a note, I didn't work for Mallernee, so get your facts straight!
...and if you were there in 88, nothing did happen that year!
Dear '88' graduate (thanks for using your name . . . ):
I used to feel the way you do now, about Nelson - but my eyes were opened, and I stopped doing the ostrich dance ( for those lesserminded folks, I got my head out of the sand - or other nether regions ). . .
But in all seriousness, you should look at the facts:
Whether or not it was a consentual relationship is of no importance - it is important however, that high school teachers should not be intimate with a student.
It is probably true that she had problems, but clearly was not the only one.
I personally believe her story. What could she possibly gain from this?
The only payoffs she could have was humiliation, embarrassment, being laughed at, ridiculed, and talked about.
Yeah, that sounds like a boatload of fun.
The ONLY good payoff is that perhaps he would be less likely to do this with another student.
Personally, I admire her for having the cajunes to stand up and say something.
I wish I had done it, but I was chicken.
The year I attended MBA has no bearing on the people I know who were there at the time of this incident.
You are correct in saying that only God knows. I have to leave it at that.
I just wanted to say that although I don't know anything about MBA, I was in a SDA church in FL and my mother was forced to resign from her job at the SDA hospital for reporting the sexual abuse that my father commited. I opst this mainly for those out there doubting why the SDA church should be held responsible
Kudos to your mother for doing the right thing even though it impacted every one around her.
Brave woman.
(formerly anonymous)Thank you, she was very brave. I'm currently trying to find out what happened to this pastor and I have NO idea how to even begin. Does anyone have a starting place? It would be much appreciated. Thank you
Dyan:
My email address is 67cruiser@sbcglobal.net
This is great - someone leaves a post on this site - describing their experiences with Mr. Mallernee, and they get flamed by the self annointed keeper of the thread. Makes me wonder if some of the regular posters are interested in the truth and hearing first-hand experiences that don't fit their agenda.
Yeah - I held the bull dick, got my ass pinched by Mr. Nelson, went to the nude beach, and heard several dirty and funny jokes thanks to Mr. Nelson. Truth be told, Mrs. Nelson would have kicked his ass if he was was messing around with boys.
I think that Mr. Nelson was critical to the case of the "Fab 5" because their lawyer needed to show that there was an institutional problem in order to extract the kind of money he wanted to out of the church. People lie all the time for money, sex, drugs, and anything else they want. The "Fab 5" hung out together during those years and what would you know, twenty-years later just in time before the statute runs, they drop a lawsuit on an easy, well insured target, that they knew would settle. You guys aren't so dumb, are you?
Come on Jon, Nick, others, let the flaming begin. That's what this is really about, dumping on a school you hated. You must be miserable.
MBA Alum - WOW, the visible tip of the iceberg is generally very small, right? So if a male instructor is grabbing boys asses in public, hanging out with them naked, and playing with strange sexual toys with them...yes, all experienced by you...are you following the iceberg theory?
I wonder what would have happened if MBA took photos on Nelson's deck, naked boys hanging out with an old man, silly grin on his face, giving california coolers to 15-17 yr olds - then published them in the extra curricular section of that newsletter that went out to parents?
I'm also unclear on your post - did Mrs. Nelson know that Mr. Nelson regularly invited boys over for naked parties??? I'm pretty sure my wife would "KICK MY ASS" if I ever thought of doing something like that!!?
You seem to be the first one to almost stand up for Mr. Nelson - I haven't really heard many people do that so far??? Hummmmmmmm......
MBA Alum:
If you go back up 100 posts or so, you'll find that I love (and loved) MBA.
According to the Sheriff's office, if Mr. Nelson did to you what you said he did, then he is guilty BY YOUR OWN WORDS of sexual assault upon you.
If you didn't consider it assault (like me), then it would have little or no effect upon you. However, by the legal definition, he sexually assaulted you.
I have no problem with MBA at all, in fact I have many close friends who are employed there, and I make excuses to my wife to go there and visit my friends regularly. She understands, and allows me my memory time.
I appreciate your defense of Mr. Nelson as I was - duly noted in my earliest posts.
However, there was a real problem then. I have friends who have not posted their opinions (that I know of anyway) who brought issues to the administration that were ignored if they didn't serve the purposes of the school.
I have NOT been critical of the current administration, but only of the era when Harvey Voth was the principle. Even then, I don't think he was a bad guy, just incredibly naive, and probably did not want to believe the stories.
We were kids then and relatively unaware of the politics swirling about, and perhaps things were happening that we had no clue of, and never will know because Mr. Voth is no longer alive.
Who do you presume is the 'self appointed' keeper of the thread?
Yeah - I'm standing up for Mr. Nelson and will put his 40 years of service to Adventist education up against the accusations of a few students who probably didn't deserve to attend such a fine institution. How is it that over a 40 year period of time, all of these alleged acts happened in just a few years in the early 80's? And I am also standing up for Mrs. Nelson, she is a rock and always upheld the highest standards. To say she was naive and didn't know what her husband did on a daily basis is ludicrous. Although Mr. Nelson was no angel by todays standards, to accuse him of rape in order to help hold a legal case together is just beyond my understanding.
Dear unnamed MBA Alum:
If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck; AND if it has webbed feet, it most likely is a duck.
I know what he did to me, various others have told their stories, and perhaps others haven't, who knows.
What does it take to convince you? I stood up for Mr. Nelson for 2 years - even to the point of offering Jerry his son my testimony in court.
However when my friend Brian recounted his story along with everything else people are saying he did to them, it doesn't make sense to defend Mr. Nelson anymore.
Mr. Nelson had a profound effect on me at MBA. He is one of the reasons I loved MBA.
However, while he wasn't abusing me in the commonly understood way, he apparently was doing it to my friends. How can I have any respect for that?
I believe you should consider looking at the facts with an open mind.
Would you want this to happen to your son? Knowing what people are accusing Mr. Nelson of, would you send your child to MBA to be under Mr. Nelson's care? Even if you believe the accusations to be false? Would you risk the mental health of your child to prove or disprove your opinion?
?
?
MBA-Alum, sorry man, no flames for you. You are entitled to your opinion.
If you can't even consider the possibility that something was amiss, after dozens and dozens of people have come forward with stories and accounts over a period of 20 years than I suspect nothing short of a full confession would convince you.
Cest-la-vie, to each their own. If a more recent victim comes forward while Nelson is still alive, then there will be a full criminal investigation. In the meantime, believe what you will.
I am pretty blown away by all of this. I attended MBA from 82-84 during my Fr/Soph years. I looks back at the time period as some of the best of my life. I still think about many of the friends I had there. The youth and the innocence of childhood. After reading through this I felt like it has lost a bit luster. Looking back I would have never guessed that this kind of a thing was/could have gone on. I was a very innocent kid by nature. But as a look back, the behavior of Mr Nelson that at the time seemed a bit out of the box, is down right shocking and unexeptable in todays standards. He definitely talked about sex (a lot about the male sex organ) and some of his behavior that seemed questionable then, would never ever be tolerated now. But at the time he was by far my favorite teacher. I never looked at it much at the time other then he was very quirky. Sadly when I just read about this today, like others, Mr Nelson's name was the first person I thought of. I sat here shaking my head reading this whole thread (recognizing many names). What a very sad affair all around.
Jon you're such a joke, I'd think you're funny, except you're so pathetic.
Great more faggots in a so called Christian church! I am SO GLAD I won't join the SDA jerks or thier Jehovahs Witness cousins!
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