"Teen Challenge"?

[FloridaJudy]

Have any of you folks ever heard of this program? It purports to be a residential treatment program for young women with emotional or addiction problems based on "Christian Values". A client came to me today requesting a physical exam for entrance.

Attached to the usual medical forms (immunization record, results of tests for communicable diseases, physical exam to determine whether the client needs continuing medical management or has any physical limitations that should be addressed) which are standard for anyone applying for entrance to school or a treatment program, was a twenty-page list of requirements for the program.

Some of them sounded perfectly sensible for a program dealing with disturbed adolescents: all prescription drugs should be accompanied by a note from a medical provider explaining why they are needed. Over-the-counter medications need to be in a sealed container. Residents should expect that their luggage will be searched for illicit drugs and weapons. Foul language, threats of violence and racial slurs will not be tolerated. Clothing should be modest.

Some of it was not my cup of tea, but most people who sign up for a "Christian" treatment program wouldn't quibble. No secular literature - only the "Approved" Bible allowed. No secular music. No dancing, no games, no card-playing and no "singing or humming", unless the music was on a pre-approved list of hymns.

And some of it was really, really creepy. "The Pastoral services we provide are all that you need.. Jesus Christ is your only friend, and if you doubt that, then you're a hopeless sinner". Among other things that were proscribed by this pamphlet were Alcoholic and Narcotic Addict Anonymous membership and literature, as well as medical/psychiatric treatment by any other than An Approved Christian.

Am I the only one who thinks that this sounds like a cult? And hopes that none of my tax money is going to support these cretins?


("Cretin" - Medieval corruption of the French word 'Christian', and applied to those unfortunates suffering from Congenital Thyroid Insufficiency as "too stupid to sin". I know better: ignorance is easy. Being relatively smart, and *still* being willing to risk the consequences of taking an unpopular view is courageous).

[SoCalDem]

1. Teen Challenge is a FRAUD..

at least they are here in SoCal.. I checked them out when my middle son was driving up to insanity..

Basically, here, they are an organization that is interested in COURT APPOINTED "guests" who have a federal or state $tipend attached to them.. They told me that they would accept our son when he turend 18, IF he was court ordered and his monthly check would be signed over to them..

They are always out in front of stores here, begging for money.. I always answer them..."No thanks, I already HAD 3 challenging teens"..

[David Zephyr]

2. And Cult Like.

Scary group.

[Fuzz]

3. Oh Yes!!!

They are associated with the Assemblies of God church, the one that John Ashcroft is from. My father is an ordained AG minister and he would have Teen Challenge groups at his church every once in a while. They claim a very high success rate, but the guys I met just seemed to replace one addiction with another, Jesus. It did seem rather cult like because of that.

[blondeatlast]

4. I've had some dealing with some TC enrollees as volunteers.

The kids were scared to ask any questions of me, even when encouraged. They seemed a little too afraid of authority for my taste. I also got a sense of desperation from a couple of them; like, "I can't say it out loud, but please help me get away from this."

FWIW, I'm Christian, but I would never subject a kid of mine to this group. The kids seemed very "cult"ured, if you will pardon the pun. It does seem to fit, though.

[FloridaJudy]

5. That's why I put "Christian" in quotation marks

I suspect that compassionate, itinerate Rabbi from Nazereth would be horrified by what these people are doing in His name!

[blondeatlast]

6. Amen to that!