The Intersection

In Divine Enigma, we will explore the intersection of neurodiversity, church hurts, and community empowerment.

A Guiding Light for Healing

Divine Enigma understands the complexities faced by individuals who have experienced disappointment with the church and navigates toxic relationships. We recognise the issues neurodiversity can have on individuals and offer a safe space for healing and empowerment on this platform.

My Unique Narrative:

My life was shaped by experiences in both predominantly white and black churches, where my dyslexia was met with understanding and grace.  As I set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges within religious communities,  I hope it resonates with a diverse audience seeking authenticity and wisdom.

Prominent Pastors: A Closer Look

Leading Voices in Faith: Bishop Eddie Long, TD Jakes, and TB Joshua

• Eddie Lee Long (May 12, 1953 – January 15, 2017) was an American pastor who served as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1987 until he died in 2017. Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

• Bishop T. D. Jakes is a charismatic leader, visionary, provocative thinker, and entrepreneur who serves as senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a global humanitarian organisation and 30,000-member church located in Dallas.

• T. B. Joshua was the leader and founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian megachurch that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, Nigeria. Joshua was widely known across Africa and Latin America and had a large social media presence with over six million fans on Facebook. T. B. Joshua died on 5 June 2021 “shortly after conducting a live broadcast”, according to a BBC report. According to his wife Evelyn Joshua, he showed “no sign of illness” prior to his death.

Examining the Ministries of Bishop Eddie Long, TD Jakes, and TB Joshua

Bishop Eddie Long – New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

The ministry believes the Bible is God’s infallible word. Believe in a Triune God: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. Salvation is a gift received by faith in Jesus Christ. Believe in the literal resurrection of Christ and His future return.  Practice separation from sin and actively spread the Gospel. Believe in heaven for believers and hell for those who reject God.

TD Jakes – The Potter’s House

Is inspired by Isaiah 51:3, For the Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all of her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. By the offer of hope, comfort, and peace, guiding people towards transformed lives. Potter’s House serve with excellence, integrity, and compassion, reaching the lost and broken, nurturing leaders, and fostering joyful participation. Empowerment through faith. Serving locally and globally.

TB Joshua – The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations

Statement of faith is what the ministry is based on. Trinity & Salvation Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit created all. Receive forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit  Guides that, convicts of sin, and empowers believers. The Bible  God’s message of grace and truth, relevant for today. Salvation Freedom from sin through Jesus’ sacrifice, received by faith. Eternal life awaits those who believe in Jesus.

Controversies and Legacies

A Look at Bishop Eddie Long, TD Jakes, and TB Joshua

I will critically examine prominent figures such as Bishop Eddie Long, TD Jakes, and TB Joshua. Divine Enigma will explore the controversies surrounding power dynamics, sexual misconduct, and these individuals’ influence and impact on vulnerable individuals. This incisive analysis positions Divine Enigma as a source of relevant societal issues.

I believe the accusations are only accusations at the moment; if we examine each case, they are all based on power, sex, greed and control. Humans always seek these things, so vulnerable people get hurt in the process!

In TD Jake’s case, freak off with P Diddy (who currently, as of Apil 2024, is being investigated by the FBI), Bishop Eddie Long, young black boys being sexually abused, as they are looking for a father figure and TB Joshua, using power to trap young men and women into slavery and sexual abuse.

Power, sex, greed and control are why people tend to behave this way.

Why are people so intent on having power?

Decoding the Pursuit of Power:
Unearth the motivations driving the relentless pursuit of power within religious circles, from survival instincts to societal hierarchy. This insightful exploration, backed by psychological and sociological perspectives. For example in The Laws of Human Nature Robert Green states that  ‘You like to imagine yourself in control of your fate, consciously planning the course of your life as best you can. But you are largely unaware of how deeply your emotions dominate you. They make you veer toward ideas that soothe your ego. They make you look for evidence that confirms what you already want to believe. They make you see what you want to see, depending on your mood, and this disconnect from reality is the source of the bad decisions and negative patterns that haunt your life. Rationality is the ability to counteract these emotional effects, to think instead of react, to open your mind to what is really happening, as opposed to what you are feeling. It does not come naturally; it is a power we must cultivate, but in doing so we realize our greatest potential’

Here are some reasons I believe people like to have power.

Survival Instincts Throughout human evolution, the quest for power and dominance has often been linked to survival. In a competitive environment, having power can provide individuals better access to resources, increased chances of reproduction, and enhanced protection from potential threats. I also believe it can stem from trauma, and therefore, that trauma makes you want to be in control and have power in all areas of your life so you cannot get hurt.

Social Hierarchy Humans are social beings, and societies tend to organise themselves into hierarchical structures. Power often translates into higher social status and access to valuable resources, leading individuals to seek power to improve their standing in the social hierarchy. Being the top dog! Or the one at the top, which means you have control over people and their ideas.

Control and Autonomy Power gives individuals a sense of control over their lives and the ability to influence the world around them. The desire for autonomy and the ability to shape one’s environment can motivate the seeking of power.

Cultural and Social Conditioning Cultural and societal norms play a significant role in shaping individual aspirations. In some cultures, power is highly valued and equated with success, leading individuals to pursue it as a societal ideal. This is typical in the black community, and this also comes from internalised racism, which is another topic I would like to discuss in detail, either via the Divine Enigma blog or podcast; please comment if you would like a deep dive into internalised racism and neurodiversity. In the comments, mention podcast or blog post.

Why are people so intent on using sex to control others?

Let’s Unmask the Role of Sex and Control  Let’s explore the misuse of sex as a tool for control, reflecting on my personal journey within my neurodivergent condition.

A Lack of Empathy  In this section, we’ll delve into the issue of a lack of empathy within specific individuals and how it can impact interactions within faith communities.

Exploring the Intersection of Power and Sexuality  Here, we’ll shift gears and explore the complex relationship between power dynamics and sexuality within religious spaces.Some individuals may lack empathy or have difficulty understanding and respecting the feelings of others. This can lead to a disregard for the emotional well-being of their partners, resulting in harmful sexual behaviour.

Exploring the Intersection of Power and Sexuality  In a previous relationship as a new Christian, my neurodivergent condition was used against me, and therefore, I was manipulated into getting into a toxic and dangerous relationship with a man in my previous church. However, this relationship caused a lot of church hurt to the point it almost made me question why I should believe in God when this person was in Christ, but they were hurting me. The people in the church were so nasty and evil, and it did not make sense to me as I was torn between being kind to others and also simultaneously allowing myself to receive abuse.

I later realised this person was not in Christ, and I believe they were involved in some occult practices and what one would class as a lukewarm Christian. Revelations mention this and say, “I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” — Revelation 3:15-16

I will not go into too much detail as to what I went through as I still up today deal with the trauma of it. However, although I have healed from it and have forgiven the person, it has made me think about what the scriptures say about what to do when you have been abused by people who go to church with you.

The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10. I think of the thief as the devil, and I also believe that just as much the devil is working in the world, he is working in the church, so we need to be mindful as believers.

In Matthew 26: 21-23, Judas betrayed Jesus, and in John 13.2, The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

It just means that evil is everywhere in this world, and we need to watch and pray Matthew 26: 41 -Keep watch and pray so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Stay alert and pray so you don’t wander into temptation without knowing you’re in danger. It’s not enough to pray. As Christians, we must watch out for the red flags that could cause us great harm. As I grow in wisdom, I am learning that not every opportunity is for you, and discernment is a very important skill to ensure you know what is right for you and what is not. So many voices tell you to do so many things, which can be very challenging if you are neurodivergent, as we tend to be more gullible and need to trust the voice of God, The Holy Spirit.

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

• Wisdom (the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise),
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Fortitude (mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously),
• Knowledge (awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation),
• Piety (fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents), dutifulness in religion, DEVOUTNESS, and fear of the Lord)

Navigating Church Hurt:  Emerging from the shadows of church hurt and my reflections on my Christian journey and the impact of toxic relationships. By sharing my story, I hope to provide a roadmap for others grappling with similar experiences, which will be a trusted resource for healing and resilience. Healing from church hurt is a collective journey that requires the active participation of religious communities. By fostering awareness, engaging in open dialogue, and creating inclusive spaces, we can transform our places of worship into sanctuaries of love, understanding, and hope. Through these intentional efforts, we can build bridges towards a more compassionate and supportive future for all members of our faith communities. I hope the church can be like this. A significant distance exists, at times, between the church and the pain of some congregation members.

As we navigate the nuanced landscape of neurodiversity, church hurts, and community empowerment in the new year, I hope Divine Enigma stands as a beacon of authority and inspiration. The victims who may of been affected by the alleged assault of Bishop Eddie Long, TD Jakes, and TB Joshua. I pray and hope that you can find peace in having a true relationship with Christ Jesus.

Tailored 1-to-1 Coaching Programme: Sarah offers a personalised coaching programme through Divine Enigma, focusing on each client’s needs. Struggling with ADHD or dyslexia in your career? Sarah can help! She creates plans that leverage your strengths for maximum growth. Reach out to hello@divineenigma.org to explore how 1-to-1 coaching can propel you towards success.

NeuroEnigma – A Platform for Neurodiverse Empowerment: Divine Enigma introduces NeuroEnigma, a groundbreaking platform for neurodivergent individuals. This platform has unique features, including a supportive community, group coaching calls, networking opportunities, mentorship, and more. By joining the NeuroEnigma community, you can access a wealth of resources tailored to empower and uplift neurodivergent individuals.

• To join Divine Enigma’s 1-to-1 coaching programme, tailored to your unique needs, contact hello@divineenigma.org.
• Explore NeuroEnigma, the platform for neurodivergent empowerment, and join.
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