1. Bullying in God’s House Slides used with permission from Sister Christine Smith CSN Sydney 2011 1 Bullying in God’s House

2. Bullies at school often become bullies in the workplace. If we are educated about bullying we can often detect the signs, although adult bullies, especially in ecclesial, life may not be aware they are doing it. We cannot delude ourselves that this problem does not exist. 2 Bullying in God’s House

3. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Philippians 2:3 Amplified version 3 Bullying in God’s House

4. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-13 ESV 4 Bullying in God’s House

5. As well as pressure to “turn the other cheek”, there is a lot of emphasis on forgiving the bully, and to empathise with the bully because that is ostensibly the Christian way. So the bully may have the perfect environment in which to exert his/her power free from judgement/condemnation or sanctions. 5 Bullying in God’s House

6. Higher expectations of God’s house Feeling safe with our brothers and sisters Seeking to care for each other All one in Christ Jesus – whatever our differences. 6 Bullying in God’s House

7. Victims of bullying may also experience judgement and blame. Phrases like “you should..” and “you ought..” are used, backed up with Bible quotes. “Guilt feelings can very easily be induced in damaged, vulnerable people and doing so, even unintentionally, can (and probably should) be considered as a form of spiritual abuse,” 7 Bullying in God’s House

8. “[We must] recognise that bullying is an evil and an assault on the dignity of the human person. Any action that deliberately or otherwise seeks to destroy people’s self worth or creates conditions that spiritually psychologically or materially diminish their dignity, their sense of self worth and their ability to be responsible for their own actions is evil.” 8 Bullying in God’s House Confronting the Demon : A Gospel Response to Adult Bullying by Gerald A. Arbuckle

9. Helpful strategies Identify and name bullying when we see it Encourage healthy decision making Build up healthy relationships Develop willingness to give and receive good counsel. Cultivate respectful ways to disagree (conflict resolution – learning to communicate viewpoint and listen openly to others) 9 Bullying in God’s House

10. Resume of Day 1.Definition of bullying 2.Effects of bullying and where does it come from? 3.The Bully, The Bullied, and The Bystander 4.Personal experiences 5.Where do we find Bullying? 6.Coping Strategies – Bob Baynham 10 Bullying - Facing the Challenges

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