Thread by @futuristguy

RZIM THREAD. In light of RZIM intermediate report that confirms sexual abuse by its founder, I am compiling resources that provide crucial context elements to overall situation for Ravi Zacharias as an individual & RZIM as the institution he founded. /1

spiritualsoundingboard.com/2020/12/26/rav…

From post: "This official statement by RZIM is vindication for the women who reported Mr. Zacharias' abuses: These were credible accusations--not mere allegations or false reports."

People will have questions. They deserve details to equip discerning/deciding for themselves. /2

Initial sections include:

* TIMELINE for 2016-2020

* NONPROFIT PROFILE for RZIM.

* Spiritual Sounding Board POSTS from 2017-2020

* KEY SOURCES for News Reports, Analysis, Critiques, and Commentary

I hope this helps for those who want to understand the broader backstory. /3

SEGMENT COMPLETED: Spiritual Sounding Board (SSB) POSTS from 2017-2020--news, analysis, commentary, resource bibliographies. I have listed the main posts chronologically w/ summary descriptions that should help give the overall flow of what has transpired in the last four years.

SEGMENT COMPLETED: RZIM Nonprofit Profile. Sections include:

* Nonprofit Profile Summary

* Organizational Source Documents/Details

* Zacharias Family Members on RZIM Board of Directors and Staff

*RZIM Board of Directors

Key details from Form 990 2014, most recent available.

NEW SEGMENT: Basics of American Non-Profit Corporations and Christian Non-Profits.

I've added material for those concerned about institutional aspects of RZIM & its American non-profit headquarters. It links to the IRS *Compliance Guide*--IMO the best big-picture overview ...

& accessible source on basics of responsibilities & regulations for American 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporations. Also:

* Legal & Theological Authorities Over Christian Non-Profits

* 3 Regulatory Restrictions on Non-Profit Corps

* 3 Major Governance Concerns of Regulatory Agencies

As noted at the end: "[C]ritiques of abusive institutional systems and individual leaders typically involve some elements that have clearly enough stepped over the line into toxicity–if not illegality" on governance, finances, transparency. A good framework for evaluating "good."

SIDENOTE: "RED FLAG" ISSUES. This is my current list of toxic institutional issues emerging as major concerns for abuse survivors & advocates over last 10-15 years. I plan to write more about them soon. For now, will just say these cause almost automatic repulsion for survivors.

1 Membership covenants or abusive church discipline.
2 Cronyism, nepotism, theobroism (conflict of interest).
3 Non-disclosure agreements.
4 Mediation that removes rights of victims.
5 Use IRS church designation to avoid Form 990s whereby public can evaluate the organization.

6 Passive board fails to oversee leaders' character and behaviors.
7 Using internal investigation to avoid independent, transparent investigation.
8 Use meaningless “certifications” of safety, financial accountability, etc.
9 Rely on PR spin via image repair/impression management