Parentbales Blog Links to Gothard' sCharacter Qualities

[roddma]

Michelle's latest post talks about Gothard's character qualities and it is on the 19KC FB page as well. Now several have said they are printing them off for their kids and I can't help but be disturbed about this. While these are great traits to have, it is the authoritarian approach. You can learn these with no religious association. I have about given up explaining over there the Duggars associate with Gothard. They just refuse to believe it.

[doggie]

Operational Definitions of 49 Character Qualities

Alertness vs. Unawareness

Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38)

well the duggers fail on this with their over protection and lack of awareness around them.

Attentiveness vs. Unconcern

Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1)

Well Mcboobs doe eyed thing with dimbulb talking I guess this is a given.

Availability vs. Self-centeredness

Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20–21)

well not if you are supposed to be on time.

Boldness vs. Fearfulness

Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29)

Well somewhat but if you disagree with them.

Cautiousness vs. Rashness

Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions (Proverbs 19:2)

Compassion vs. Indifference

Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others (I John 3:17)

Fail on this one.

Contentment vs. Covetousness

Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness (I Timothy 6:8)

big fail on this with the need for all of the blessings.

Creativity vs. Underachievement

Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2.

well not if you listen to them playing

Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness

The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5)

Humm well if they support someone besides frothy I would say no.

Deference vs. Rudeness

Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21)

Hell no.

Dependability vs. Inconsistency

Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice (Psalm 15:4)

Hell no.

Determination vs. Faintheartedness

Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition (II Timothy 4:7–8)

not sure

Diligence vs. Slothfulness

Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it (Colossians 3:23)

Hell no.

Discernment vs. Judgment

The God-given ability to understand why things happen (I Samuel 16:7)

Hell no.

Discretion vs. Simplemindedness

The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences (Proverbs 22:3)

Hell no.

Endurance vs. Giving up

The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best (Galatians 6:9)

well I guess

Enthusiasm vs. Apathy

Expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit (I Thessalonians 5:16,19)

yes

Faith vs. Presumption

Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it (Hebrews 11:1)

yes

Flexibility vs. Resistance

Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others (Colossians 3:2)

Hell no.

Forgiveness vs. Rejection

Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32)

Generosity vs. Stinginess

Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes (II Corinthians 9:6)

Hell no.

Gentleness vs. Harshness

Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (I Thessalonians 2:7)

yes

Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness

Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life (I Corinthians 4:7)

well making everyone know

Hospitality vs. Loneliness

Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into my life (Hebrews 13:2)

yes

Humility vs. Pride

Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6)

Hell no.

Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness

Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it (Romans 12:21)

Joyfulness vs. Self-pity

The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11)

too much

Justice vs. Fairness

Personal responsibility to God’s unchanging laws (Micah 6:8)

Hell yes not in a good way

Love vs. Selfishness

Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (I Corinthians 13:3)

Hell no.

Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness

Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve (John 15:13)

Hell yes not in a good way

Meekness vs. Anger

Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5)

and everyone elses.

Obedience vs. Willfulness

Freedom to be creative under the protection of divinely appointed authority (II Corinthians 10:5)

too gothard

Orderliness vs. Disorganization

Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (I Corinthians 14:40)

Patience vs. Restlessness

Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3–4)

Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness

Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks (II Timothy 2:24)

Punctuality vs. Tardiness

Showing high esteem for other people and their time (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Hell no.

Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness

Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10)

Hell no.

Responsibility vs. Unreliability

Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me (Romans 14:12)

Hell no.

Reverence vs. Disrespect

Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18)

Security vs. Anxiety

Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27)

Self-Control vs. Self-indulgence

Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:24–25)

Hell no.

Sensitivity vs. Callousness

Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15)

Hell no.

Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy

Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (I Peter 1:22)

Hell no.

Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness

Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected (Proverbs 18:15)

Hell no.

Thriftiness vs. Extravagance

Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary (Luke 16:11)

Hell no anymore.

Tolerance vs. Prejudice

Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (Philippians 2:2)

Hell no.

Truthfulness vs. Deception

Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25)

Hell no.

Virtue vs. Impurity

The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiate from my life as I obey God’s Word (II Peter 1:3)

Hell no.

Wisdom vs. Natural Inclinations

Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference (Proverbs 9:10)

Hell no.

[CrazySister]

WTH is up with the damn character qualities??? I just don't get it! Outside of Gothardism, is this nebulous "character building" so-all-important? Am I missing something? I get the whole "I want my child to be honest, and kind and generous and ..." I "get" that Gothard twists the Bible, but I guess (especially tonight) I'm incredulous at the profound stupidity of his followers. There's one verse I can think of that mentions "character" (anybody else despise that word?!) and yet even there character's not the be-all-end-all! Romans 5:2-5, NASB: "...we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spririt who was given to us." Character's not even the primary point of this verse! I'm sure there are other places where the word character itself is used, although a very quick Google search only brought up studies in Bible characters, not actually verses where the word itself is used. That only re-inforces my belief that it's only in the gothard religion where it's something to be worshipped and all else (quality education, all around well-being of all but especially those who just so happen to be born with a vagina) gets sacrifised at the altar of gothard.

Maybe I'm seriously PMS-ing or something tonight, but this post (J'chelle's on Gothardism) really pissed me off! They get off on preaching how important the truth is and yet malign what they declare to be of utmost importance to them: the Bible. :angry-screaming:

Edited because I'm so pissed off I'm not writing clearly, lol