Category Archives: Child Abuse

January 4, 2026 · 1:00 am

Literacy, Rousseau, and Unschooling, Part 1

Little Red Schoolhouse, Talbot County, MD, Author Shopkins91, (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported and GNU Free Documentation License)

Unschooling (to be distinguished from homeschooling) is a controversial educational philosophy which has gained rapid popularity online, and allows children to direct their own learning [1][2].  A rosy picture is painted of care-free learning, without pressure, stress, structure, or restrictions.

The assumption is that children pursuing only the subjects which interest them will learn more naturally and easily.  The corollary assumption seems to be that subjects of little immediate interest to them will be of no later use.

Some parents are not even teaching their children to read or write, and are actually proud of that fact.

The Rousseau Connection

Whether its proponents are aware or not, unschooling derives loosely from the writings of an 18th Century philosopher.   In his work Discourse on Inequality, Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed that human beings in their “natural” state were inherently peaceful, egalitarian, and good.  They had simply been corrupted by civilization.

This idea has great appeal to those who believe wholeheartedly in Darwin’s theory of evolution.  It suggests that a return to Eden is possible, a return to innocence and union with nature.  All we need do is discard the trappings of civilization – trappings like law and formal education.

Unfortunately, this is nonsense, spiritually and otherwise.  Innocence and ignorance are not the same.

Literacy Highlights

Literacy has been prized by civilization for thousands of years [3].  We denote pre-history as such because literacy did not exist.  All knowledge had to be passed down orally. Continue reading →

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December 28, 2025 · 1:00 am

Editing the Human Genome

Double helix of DNA biochemistry, Author brian0918&#153 (PD)

Editing the human genome is no longer beyond the realm of possibility.  To the contrary, it represents the frontier of medicine, promising a golden future without heritable disease or genetic defects.  The question is:  at what cost to human rights?

Human genome editing takes two forms:  somatic genome editing (which modifies non-reproductive cells) and germline genome editing (which modifies reproductive cells, including sperm and egg cells, and can be passed on to future generations) [1A].

Somatic Gene Editing

Somatic gene editing is viewed as less controversial, since it cannot be passed on.  The United States, the United Kingdom, and China have all permitted clinical trials involving somatic editing to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other genetic diseases [1B].

Germline Gene Editing

No country has yet approved germline genetic editing, although twins whose germline had been modified using the genetic cut-copy-paste technology known by the acronym CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) were born in China in 2018 [1C][2A]. 

A majority of the European Union has ratified the Oviedo Convention which prohibits heritable gene editing in humans [1D].  Germany, Canada, and Australia have adopted similar prohibitions [1E].  

There is a strong possibility that these bans will eventually be lifted for therapeutic purposes, though there is no current agreement on what qualifies as “therapeutic”.  There is an equal chance that access to germline genetic editing will at some point be characterized as a legal “right” [6A].

In the United States, law currently prohibits the use of federal funds on human germline gene therapy [2B].  However, there are no protocols or restrictions for human genomic engineering [2C]. 

Recently, a startup named Preventive was identified as attempting to engineer the first genetically modified baby outside China [3].  This is not surprising, since Do-It-Yourself CRISPR kits are actually available online [6B]. Continue reading →

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December 21, 2025 · 1:00 am

Good Tidings

“Nativity of Christ a/k/a Holy Night” by Antonio de Correggio (c. 1529-1530), Staatliche Kunstsammlungen (Accession No. Gal.-Nr. 152), Dresden, Source/Photographer Google Arts & Culture https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/7wGhio0LPVXb_g Hans Peter Klut/Elke Estel (PD)

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger’” (Luke 2: 10-12).

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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December 14, 2025 · 1:00 am

Climbing Gear

Open crevasse, Tangra Mountains, Antarctica, Author Apcbg, (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

A chasm opens up again.  Depression yawns before us once more, sucking us in despite our best efforts.

It may be that something reminded us of our earlier trauma.  It may be that regret over an old loss or error in judgment morphed from sadness into despair.  Whatever the cause, as abuse victims we can suddenly find ourselves falling headlong into darkness. 

Consumed with self-loathing, we may feel achingly alone in a crowd, strangers in a strange land while at a local mall or familiar church service. 

The greetings, compliments, and good wishes of loved ones – however many, however sincere – are dismissed as undeserved.  Life loses its savor.  Even prayer seems stale.

Surprisingly, the skills and equipment necessary to alpine rescue have bearing on this.

Fatal Self-Isolation

Engulfed by depression, our instinct will likely be to self-isolate.  But this can be a fatal mistake, effectively putting us at risk of hypothermia from the cold of the mountain crevasse into which we have fallen. 

It can take a rescue team and specialized equipment to pull a climber who has fallen into such a crevasse back to safety.

Climbing Team

It is essential to remember that none of us really climbs the mountains of life alone.  We are all linked to others – to family, friends, roommates, neighbors, teachers, classmates, coaches, teammates, co-workers, health care providers, crisis hot lines, and God, Himself.  These are vital resources. Continue reading →

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December 7, 2025 · 1:00 am

In Search of Greatness

Woodcut “Jesus Teaches Greatness” from “Die Bibel in Bildern” (“The Bible in Pictures”) by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1860), Source “Die Bibel in Bildern” (“The Bible in Pictures”), (PD) 

I dreamt last night of a frustrated young man, longing for meaning and purpose.  For greatness, as the world defines it.

But greatness is not defined by the billions garnered overnight for a clever idea at the right moment, or – more often, these days – a mirage sold to a public so hungry for something of substance it will swallow almost anything.  Greatness is not exemplified by Apple or Twitter or Lululemon, no matter how high their stock price.

Greatness is exemplified by the daily faithfulness of a good father working a menial job to put food on the table and shoes on his children’s feet, by the daily patience of a good mother homeschooling an autistic child for lack of a better alternative.

Greatness is not measured in moments.  It is measured across a lifetime.

Few of us are called to go out in a blaze of cinematic glory, applauded martyrs to a popular cause.  More are called to stand guard on lonely frontiers, to push boulders endlessly up impossible hills, our worth unrecognized and unsung.

God sees those efforts, nonetheless.  It is He who assigns their true value, not this deluded, transient world.  It is urgent our young people hear this from us.

“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23: 11).

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT:  https://alawyersprayers.com

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November 30, 2025 · 1:00 am

Grooming – The Manipulation of Children

“Garden of Deception” by Andrew Blucha  (2022), Courtesy of https://www.reddit.com/r/ImaginaryHorrors/comments/uyxcoo/the_garden_of_deception_andrew_blucha_2022/ 

Grooming refers to the deliberate process by which an abuser builds a relationship with a child for the purpose of manipulating, exploiting, and abusing that child [1A][2A].  It involves gaining the victim’s trust over time while desensitizing the child to abusive behaviors, so that the child is less likely to reject them and report the abuser to authorities. 

Significantly, grooming can take place both in person and online.  It can take place at home, at school, in clubs, on teams, in religious settings, and elsewhere [2B].  Online, it can involve social media (Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat, etc.) or gaming platforms (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Discord, etc.) [2C].

Dynamic

Grooming is the result of a power differential within the relationship, which the abuser uses for his/her own gratification [1B].  Authority can create such a differential, for instance, where the abuser is a teacher, coach, or physician.  But age, itself, can create a power differential. 

Most caring adults will be sensitive to the fact children are easily influenced.  Predators, by contrast, use this vulnerability to their advantage, coupling it with appropriately tailored lies.  “This is how all Daddies teach their little girls about sex.”  “This will make Uncle Frank very happy.  You want to make him happy, don’t you?”  “This is what big boys do.”

Grooming Situations

Grooming is most commonly employed in cases of child sexual abuse.  Even adults, however, can be groomed [1C].  That may be the case where the abuser is a family “friend” (a charming predator with whom parents are led to believe their child will be safe), or where an adult victim comes under the sway of a narcissistic partner [3][4].

Children old enough to flee physical or sexual abuse at home will find it brutally hard to live on the streets.  Not surprisingly, they, too, are susceptible to grooming which is precisely why pimps and sex traffickers rely on the tactic.  A homeless young person offered “free” room and board will find it difficult to refuse sex in exchange. Continue reading →

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November 23, 2025 · 1:00 am

“Wisdom, Divine Guidance, and Artificial Intelligence” by Dr. Mehmoush Mohajer

“Wisdom” by Robert Lewis Reid (1896), Library of Congress (digital ID highsm.02216), Washington, DC, Author/Photographer Carol Smith (PD)

The following article by clinical psychologist, Dr. Mehmoush Mohajer, appeared in the October 2025 edition of Israel:  The Prophetic Connection by C4i America.

“…In today’s world, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping human life.  From daily decisions like shopping and travel to complex matters such as personal relationships, career planning, and child-rearing, many people prefer to rely on algorithms rather than human wisdom and divine guidance.  Yet, entrusting life entirely to machines carries significant psychological and even structural consequences for human beings.

The Value of Wisdom and Divine Guidance

Wisdom and divine guidance are humanity’s greatest assets.  The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of trusting in God:

‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight’ (Prov. 3: 6).

True guidance and lasting security are not found in data or algorithms but in trusting divine wisdom…Divine guidance ensures genuine peace and personal growth — something no algorithm can replicate.

Psychological and Neurological Consequences of Overreliance on AI

Excessive dependence on AI can have profound effects on both the brain and mental health:

1. Impaired decision-making and problem-solving

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for analysis, planning, and judgment, weakens when humans exercise these skills less frequently.

2. Reduced empathy and social skills

Brain regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex and insula become less active, diminishing the ability to process emotions and empathize with others.

3. Decreased cognitive flexibility and working memory

Limited practice in problem-solving and creative thinking restricts neural pathways, weakening memory and adaptability.

Re-life examples

  • Responding to messages or managing romantic relationships using AI, without interpreting emotions independently.
  • Parents relying on algorithms for child-rearing decisions, reducing direct experience and nurturing.
  • Career and financial choices made solely on data, ignoring ethical values and human judgment.

AI as a Tool, not a Substitute for Divine Guidance

AI can be a valuable tool for information gathering and streamlining tasks, but it cannot replace human wisdom or divine guidance.  Algorithms cannot comprehend spiritual consequences, personal growth, or moral values.  Fully entrusting one’s life to AI is equivalent to handing control to an unaware entity…

Balancing Wisdom, Prayer, and Technology

The key is to integrate human wisdom, divine guidance, and technology responsibly:

  • Use AI to gather information and support logical decision-making.
  • Make final choices based on ethical values and through prayerful connection with the Holy Spirit.
  • As Scripture warns:  ‘Do not put your trust in anyone but the Lord‘ (PS. 2: 11).

This approach allows humans to lead a conscious, safe, and meaningful life while maintaining mental and spiritual growth…”

A peer reviewed report by the Dept. of Health and Human Resources indicates that  youth sex-change procedures (including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery) do significant harm while failing to decrease suicide risk.

See, https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-releases-peer-reviewed-report-discrediting-pediatric-sex-rejecting-procedures.html and https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/19/hhs-gender-affirming-care-report-authors-named/.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com 

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November 16, 2025 · 1:00 am

Wounds

Colored stipple etching of a forearm with three open wounds, WOUNDS by J. Stewart after J. Bell (c. 1826), Wellcome Collection (Library Reference ICV No 9908), Source/Photographer https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/b3/e5/19f609d2570b60390b8f1a0e2f55.jpg, (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International)

When sex is viewed merely as another human appetite – powerful perhaps, but devoid of emotional content; when it is shared with any number of casual strangers, rather than with the beloved in a lifelong committed relationship as intended by God, then it is devalued and we with it. 

Instead, a profound wound is created, a wound that reaches to the soul.

We may deny the existence of this wound.  Certainly, our culture does.  But the wound is a reality, nonetheless, a gaping void no substitute can fill. 

We may try to fill that void by increasing the number of our sexual partners, a fruitless exercise.  We may try to fill it with food, alcohol, or drugs in an effort to numb the pain.  The effort, itself, can become a compulsion.  But the wound remains. 

For the victims of abuse, sexual or otherwise, the very same wound is created.  We know at the deepest level that we were seen as worthless by the parents or guardians who should have loved us.  The grief and shame are overwhelming, and can last a lifetime.

Christ is familiar with wounds.  He, too, bore them.  Not due to His own fault, but for our sakes.  And He can heal them.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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November 9, 2025 · 1:00 am

Where Are the Children?

“Two Children Abandoned in the Amazon”, Source/Author Raguilar1158, (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

Though much vilified, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to open a dedicated Call Center to assist state and local law enforcement in locating hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children allowed illegally into the United States under the Biden Administration, children whose condition and whereabouts are now unknown [1]. 

More important than the immigration status of these children is their welfare which has not been adequately tracked, if at all.   Thousands upon thousands of children simply vanished.  

Whistleblowers have since exposed how the vicious scheme worked [2].  Under the auspices of trafficking cartels, children – some younger than 5 years of age, some sedated by melatonin laced gummies – arrived at the border with nothing but a phone number scribbled on their arms or clothing. Continue reading →

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October 26, 2025 · 1:00 am

Population Decline

File:バス座席のステッカー (6451369381).jpg

Elderly couple in Japan, Source flickr.com, Author Jordi Sanchez, Teruel (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)

Developed countries are experiencing a significant population decline [1].  

The size of the workforce in developed countries is shrinking, while the proportion of older men and women is rising due to longer life expectancies, lower fertility rates, and lower birth rates (this last attributed in part to a rise in LGBTQ identification).  Reliance on social services by an aging population is meanwhile on the rise.

This is impacting national economies, defense, housing, education, and culture [2].  There is, also, a potential impact on child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, and elder abuse.

Japan

Japan’s population has been shrinking for the past 15 years [3][4].  The stress of urban life is taking a heavy toll.  Technology can only replace human beings in certain labor sectors. 

A growing number of businesses in Japan now cater to parties of one:  restaurants, bars, karaoke clubs…even wedding chapels.  So called “alternative romance” is highly in vogue among the young, with robots replacing human beings in relationships and marriage to inanimate objects seen as acceptable.  

Meanwhile, the elderly are being left behind in the digital revolution [5].  There is a widening rift between tech-savvy youth and digitally challenged seniors.  Only 54.2% of Japanese aged 65-74 use smartphones, compared with 85% of American seniors. Only 7.2% of Japanese over age 80 use the internet, compared with 44% of Americans of similar age. 

This is greatly increasing social isolation among the elderly, as well as a deepening the generational divide. Continue reading →

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