Using Our Brains

Bystanders and Groupthinkers

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If I Only Had a Brain

75^th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz (1939)—and still learning from it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg66kwRnOpw

Have you ever wondered what prevents people from helping others in need? Specifically, in the international NCI et al fraud, what prevents people from responding to the ongoing calls for help? Intentional cover ups by complicit people are a big part, but they are not the full story. What prevents us from using our brains, literally, to think critically and to act morally?

Some of the inaction can be attributed to cognitive dissonance--the self-justification that occurs when we experience (consciously or unconsciously) a discrepancy between our purported values and our actual actions (see the weblog entry on Deception from Oct-Nov 2013 for more examples). We basically rationalize away our responsibility for and fear of taking a stand, preserving our sense of goodness and livelihoods, and explain away mistakes made or wrongs done. It is a serious de facto flaw that is hard-wired into our brains, affecting our thinking objectively and morally.

Two other dynamics (largely social influences) that affect people’s lack of response to helping others are the bystander effect and groupthink. Both involve uncritical social conformity and deceptive self or group-rationalization/protection. In cases such as NCI et al., these “normal” social processes, alone and with others, seriously distort reality to the detriment of others. Let’s have a look.

Bystanders

“The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present. The probability of help is inversely related to the number of bystanders. In other words, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help. Several variables help to explain why the bystander effect occurs. These variables include: ambiguity, cohesiveness and diffusion of responsibility.” For more information see the rest of this wiki entry at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

Application to NCI et al—Be aware of these dynamics and self-statements, examples: “I really don’t understand all of this stuff (nor do I want to know); No one else seems to be doing anything so why should I; There is little that I can do, want to do, am responsible for doing;  The “authorities" and/or leaders will help;  Someone else somewhere is somehow responsible to do something at sometime.”

Antidote: Get informed—use your critical thinking brain.  Act with integrity—use your morally-competent brain .  See the Shine the Light-Together petition below for more information and action.

The wicked witch’s castle: 

A testing ground for bystanders and groupthinkers

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtie6r27JeU 

Groupthinkers

"[Groupthink is a] mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members' strivings for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action. (Janis)….Janis prescribed three antecedent conditions to groupthink^: 1) High group cohesiveness; 2) Structural faults (insulation of the group, lack of impartial leadership, lack of norms requiring methodological procedures, homogeneity of members' social backgrounds and ideology);  3) Situational context (highly stressful external threats, recent failures, excessive difficulties on the decision-making task, moral dilemmas)…. According to Janis, decision making groups are not necessarily destined to groupthink. He devised seven ways of preventing groupthink” For more information see the rest of this wiki entry at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

Ten Symptoms (Processes) of Groupthink

Decision Making: A Psychological Analysis of Conflict, Choice, and Commitment (Janis & Leon, 1979).

                                                                                  

A. Overestimation of the group’s power and morality

1. Illusion of Invulnerability: Members ignore obvious danger, take extreme risk, and are overly optimistic.

2. Collective Rationalization: Members discredit/explain away warning contrary to group thinking.

B. Close-mindedness

3. Illusion of Morality: Members believe their decisions are morally correct, ignoring the ethical consequences of their decisions.

4. Excessive Stereotyping: The group constructs negative stereotypes of rivals outside the group.

C. Pressures towards uniformity

5. Pressure for Conformity: Members pressure any in the group who express arguments against the group’s stereotypes, illusions, or commitments, viewing such opposition as disloyalty.

6. Lack of Self-Censorship: Members withhold their dissenting views and counter-arguments.

7. Illusion of Unanimity: Members perceive falsely that everyone agrees with the group’s decision; silence is seen as consent.

8. Mindguards: Some members appoint themselves to the role of protecting the group from adverse information that might threaten group complacency.

Added by PETRA People--In “religious” settings two other symptoms/processes are relevant and affect the other eight above:

D. Belief in Divine specialness

9. Special divine guidance. Pervasive wish/distorting belief that God is especially with us/our group/our leaders and guiding us and protecting us. What we do is really special—extra special. Human accountability is not really needed.

10. Special divine favor. Pervasive wish/distorting belief that we are God’s special agents/recipients of God’s special favor. We are really special—extra special. Human accountability is not really needed.

Challenges or concerns about these beliefs or actions (9-10) are often seen as being “unspiritual”, “disloyal,” and/or “rebellious.” People who question them can be discredited, disciplined, and dismissed. Or even worse.

Application to NCI et al—Be aware of these dynamics and self-statements, examples: “Leaders are informed. I trust our leaders unquestionably. The group knows best. I am part of a group/organization that acts ethically. We are right and see things clearly or the most clearly. Others are mistaken. Because we are right/special we do not need outside help/accountability. We always think critically and act morally.”

Antidote: Get informed—use your critical thinking brain.  Act with integrity—use your morally-competent brain. See the Shine the Light-Together petition below for more information and action.

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Using Our Brains

We sincerely hope that in 2014 there will be changes: decisive shifts in the ongoing cognitive dissonance, bystander effect, and groupthink that have plagued the church-mission community, compromising its moral integrity and spiritual authority. We have brains to help—critically thinking brains and morally competent brains. Let’s use them!

Shine the Light-Together

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shine-the-light-together/

Shine the light on fraud. Your voice counts!
This petition is an international call for the organizations and people affected

by the NCI fraud to help--to transparently and verifiably disclose.

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"An important part of Nordic Capital Investment KB (NCI) has been successfully prosecuted in Sweden and declared to be a longstanding fraud (2010-2011). One person was prosecuted, a Swedish man, and there are thousands of pages of court documents now that shed light on the far broader aspects of this international fraud (see the link to the "NCI Summary Information: 10 Core Points" at the top of the PETRA people website--https://sites.google.com/site/petrapeople/).

It is time for the many organizations and people, especially in the church and mission community (CMC), to transparently and verifiably disclose how they have been affected. Members of these organizations (past and present), donors, and the public are asked to help by respectfully and resolutely calling for the assistance of those affected by NCI. Millions of euros and dollars are still missing.

The important PETRA Statement 2012 below overviews the international NCI et al. fraud and the previous calls for assistance. It also provides you with core inks to important documents and lists the organizations that are being asked again for help. The Statement and core links are crucial for understanding and confronting NCI…”

More information is on the petition web site.

Sign it, share it, and act on it!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shine-the-light-together/

Wising Up and Rising Up (Dec 2013- Jan 2014)

Information and Action

This entry focuses on the importance of preventing and confronting fraud/corruption via accurate information and legal action. There are two parts.

Part one (wising up) provides links to helpful articles and websites with current information on fraud, emphasizing religious institutions in the USA. Part two (rising up) presents a rationale for taking legal action especially within the Christian community. Both wising up (facts) and rising up (courts) are key for pursuing justice and protecting people.

Part One—Wising Up

Current Information and Examples of Fraud

The materials and links below delve into fraud in religious and non-profit organizations in the USA. They are very informative and certainly worth reading. The number and types of fraud cases are staggering—and seemingly exist everywhere. The applications go far beyond the USA and far beyond the religious/humanitarian community. They are also especially relevant for the NCI et al. fraud with regards to the huge numbers of ecclesiastical crimes NOT reported, criminal and/or unethical actions being rationalized, intentional and disguised cover-ups, leadership hubris/narcissism, superficial justifications for not taking action, tolerating questionable activities/people for the sake of organizational productivity/stability, discrediting and dismissals of whistleblowers, and so on.

**Fraud Thriving in Christian Churches--But You Wouldn't Know It

(Forbes online article,18 November 2013)

**Inside the Hidden World of Thefts, Scams, and Phantom Purchases at the Nation's Non-Profits

(Washington Post online article,. 26 October 2013)

**Church and Synagogue Security News

(website briefly describing many frauds affecting USA religious institutions)

**The Psychopath in the C-Suite

(Insead online article, 7 February 2013)

Part Two—Rising Up

Legal Solutions for Justice and Protection

So far there have been at least four legal cases related to the NCI et al. Fraud, with various levels of government investigation in at least two other countries. The legal story is clearly not over yet nor are the efforts of civil society. The article/link below addresses the importance and appropriateness of taking legal action by Christians (the relevance of out-of-court professional mediation is another topic). It offers viewpoints on the validity of taking responsible. “biblical” action through the courts. In so doing it counters the assertions that Christians should not take legal recourse against others, especially Christians, as it is “unbiblical,” a bad “witness,” displeasing to God, and thus sinful. It highlights examples of how Jesus Christ and St. Paul took legal action at different times in order to defend themselves rather turning the other cheek. The article is also clear on the importance of having pure motives. So seeking justice and protection for self and others is a matter of the human heart for sure—virtuous motives--but is also often a matter of the (God-ordained) human courts as well.

Excerpts: On Suing A Christian Brother In The Civil Courts by Stanley W. Paher, The Examiner, Volume 3, Number 5 

http://www.theexaminer.org/volume3/number5/suing.htm

“…it is said that a Christian is forbidden to file in civil court against another brother because a higher and better court, the church itself, should try any dispute. Realistically, is the local church competent to judge intricate matters of law? What about the following examples?

(a) Real Property Disputes. Are members experts on deeds, covenants, surveyors reports, and do they possess the knowledge of real estate values to make a settlement? It is tough enough for lawyers and elected officials to read and understand these documents.

(b) Divorce. If the church decides, can it judge as to both moral guilt and innocence and a proper property settlement, custodial rights, and similar entanglements between the parties involved? No.

(c) Overdue Debts. Can the church order the repayment of a loan or handle a foreclosure? Can a church preside over a bankruptcy? Is the church competent to interpret lengthy contracts and determine its various components in relation to the facts and events? Is the church empowered to enforce penalty clauses of contracts? Of course not.

(d) Theft, Invasion of Privacy, Eavesdropping, Slander, or willful disregard of civil rights, such as the right to face and cross examine accusers. Does the church have the talent or resources to resolve these matters and compel compliance as to its decisions? Can the church insure, as do the courts of this land, due process of law and equal protection of law? Hardly.

In these matters, each of which is greater than mere personal disputes among Christians, God has ordained civil government to establish a system of courts for their resolution. They are responsible, and Christians do not sin when they employ the courts for protection, whether it be marital infidelity, financial fraud, stealing the good name of a brother by slander, theft, or any other legal complaint. As Hoyt Houchen states, legitimate use of governmental courts is not even contemplated in 1 Corinthians 6.

Scripturally, the church may judge only matters between and among disciples common offenses such as name calling, mistreatment of others, ill-behavior -PERSONAL grievances. Should the church try to decide LEGAL matters routinely handled in civil courts, it would act beyond its jurisdictional competence. The division of responsibility is clear: the disciples should handle their own internal disciplinary matters and PERSONAL disputes between brethren, while the civil courts are the proper venue for any kind of LEGAL differences, even those between Christians. No nation would ever permit a Church of Christ to issue binding legal decisions which affect the public welfare….

The lesson is clear. Let not crooked church members take for their own wicked uses and spiritual aggrandizement that which belongs to the faithful, who have often allowed such takeover without a fight, just because of a traditional, mistaken view of 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.”

Summary Thoughts

NCI et al. needs to be further confronted. This evil will not “go away” until it is further uncovered and justice is done. It is up to the courts as well as civil society and the church-mission community. It is up to the many specific people who have information to help and who have been affected along with their organizations. It is up to leaders at all levels within in the church, mission, and humanitarian community to break ranks and to do what is right. Who will wise up and rise up for the sake of justice and vulnerable people?

PETRA People Review (Aug-Sept 2013)

Staying the Course



If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me. Jesus Christ, Matthew 10: 38-39, The Message

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In this entry we review the previous postings on the weblog and list many of the core concerns about corruption and NCI. This entry thus provides you with succinct material for perspective, clarity, and above all ethical action. It is intended to help people break through the ongoing apathy, blindness, and deception (including self-deception)  that plague the church-mission community regarding NCI et al. Above all it is meant to awaken moral courage--to embolden you to do what is right and to resolutely stay the course.

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BRIEF REVIEW

The only thing necessary for corruption to flourish is to do nothing about it—or to do some non-efficacious and non-resolute “thing” and then move on, often with our consciences placated and our livelihoods protected.

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PETRA People—Purpose of the Sites

The PETRA People website and blogsite were created in early 2011. The website “provides information on the broad area of corruption and specifically on the international fraud Nordic Capital Investments (NCI).” The blogsite is “committed to discussing and sharing information that will encourage health and confront corruption in the international Christian community--and beyond.”  

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More specifically, both sites purpose to:

--encourage and exhort all those affected by NCI—individuals, organisations, and the church-mission community (CMC) itself—to get accurately informed and to help

--request leaders of the organizations affected--as well as their current/former members, donors, partners, board members. and friends—to call for and help set up independent reviews with verifiable transparency and accountability

--seek justice by asking people/projects/organizations receiving NCI money (net positives) to disclose and return money

--help restore the lost credibility and integrity of specific organizations and the CMC itself.

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Three Key Documents. The above purposes are strongly supported by the three international calls for assistance in the PETRA Statement 2011, PETRA Statement 2012, and the Shine the Light-Together petition (2012). These documents are well worth reviewing again as they poignantly reflect the corruption issues that still need to be seriously addressed. It is not just legal entities that have responsibility to deal with NCI but also the CMC in which so much of the NCI fraud was promulgated. Note that the PETRA Statement 2012 specifically lists many of the organizations that have been affected by NCI and hence calls on all those who have been/are connected to them to diligently provide assistance.

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Click here to read the FULL REVIEW

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Note: Click here to see the list and links to all the Postings on this Weblog

Or go to the section on the far right called “Labels” to access any of the postings.

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Betraying Well (April-May 2013)

Silence, Passivity, and Neutrality

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,

 but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
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We must learn that passively to accept an unjust system

 is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become
a participant in its evil.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

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The Shine the Light-Together petition was launched one year ago. It’s 100+ signatories are calling for the many individuals and organizations affected by the NCI fraud, “to transparently and verifiably disclose how they have been affected. Members of these organizations, donors, and the public are asked to help by respectfully and resolutely calling for the assistance of those affected by NCI. Millions of euros and dollars are still missing…. We urge organizations affected by NCI to emulate the organizations in the “United Response” to the New Era Scandal: be transparent, accountable and cooperate to return money.”
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We believe the day is coming when people and members/donors of affected organisations will come forward (as Peter did--foretold in Luke 22:31,32), with courage and truth and in spite of risks, in order to:

--share important information about the NCI fraud and  exhort others to do the same;

--resolutely and publically require their organisations to disclose and conduct independent reviews;

--help heal the shame and wounds that have seriously damaged the reputation and witness of the international church-mission community (CMC). 

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Updates: Requests for Assistance

In addition to the many entries on this weblog,

refer to the PETRA Statement 2012: A Call for Integrity and Action
for specific requests, information, and links to documents
(part of the Shine the Light—Together petition). 

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1. Mercy Ships International

CBS’ 60 Minutes program did an inspirational report on the Africa Mercy hospital ship (17 February 2013). The online comments express much appreciation for the dedicated staff yet also raise serious concerns about the possibility of NCI-related money flows (click here). Also see the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will members and donors as well as Mercy Ships leaders/Board members—past and present—help to clarify?

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2. Youth With A Mission

In addition to the PETRA Statement 2012, see the extensive entry on this weblog from 1 August 2012 (Global Shame or a Good Name?). See also the online comments for the Christianity Today article, Fleecing the Faithful—Again: Former YWAM Leader Defrauds Many (June 2011)—especially noting the important questions/documentary evidence that are unanswered and avoided as well as blaming/discrediting people calling for transparency/accountability (click here). Note that Kristian Westergard (the former YWAM leader referred to in this article) is currently serving a 3 ½ year prison term. Also note that almost none of the missing NCI money has been recovered, including money being voluntarily returned by those people and organisations that benefitted. Will the members and donors as well as YWAM leaders—past and present—(including the top international leaders, those in the Global Leadership Forum, and the IFMLT) help? 

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3. Mercy Ministries Associations

See the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will the current and past Board members of the four associations related to Le Rucher Centre/Ministries (France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and International) help? Le Rucher Centre and Mercy Ministries International for example have received a substantial amount of NCI-related money according to Swedish Court documents and the testimony of the Director.

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4. Various Mission Organisations, Charities, and Churches

See the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will members, donors, board members, and leaders—past and present—help?

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 5. NCI Investors/Victims and Charity/Mission Projects

See the PETRA Statement 2012 as well as the substantial albeit partial list of investors from the Swedish court documents (click here). This list also includes the New Generation Foundation, set up with a Lichtenstein bank, which according to the Swedish court documents, received a substantial amount of NCI-related money. WiIl people help by sharing information, and if they are net positive do their utmost to return money?

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It is not justice or equal treatment that you grant to men when you
abstain equally from praising men's virtues and from condemning men's vices.
When your impartial attitude declares, in effect,
that neither the good nor the evil may expect anything from you--
whom do you betray and whom do you encourage?
Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness



Defeating Corruption (Feb-March 2013)

Wake Up!

Nothing Never Happens

The only thing necessary for corruption to flourish

is to do nothing about it—or to do some non-efficacious and non-resolute “thing”

and then move on, often with our consciences placated and our livelihoods protected.

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NCI is evil. It is an evil form of corruption that continues to prosper in spite of being publicly exposed in 2007 and in spite of the Swedish court case in 2010-2011 that found it to be a gross, long-standing, international fraud. NCI has prospered because so many of those affected by it (people, projects, and organisations), including those receiving NCI-related money, have either done nothing about it or else have done some non-efficacious and non-resolute “thing” and then moved on.

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“[T]here are thousands of pages of court documents now that shed light on the far broader aspects of this international fraud (for a summary, click here). It is time for the many organizations and people, especially in the church and mission community (CMC), to transparently and verifiably disclose how they have been affected. Members of these organizations, donors, and the public are asked to help by respectfully and resolutely calling for the assistance of those affected by NCI. Millions of euros and dollars are still missing.” Shine the Light—Together, petition

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 “In light of the Swedish court documents, we are publicly calling for the following organizations to provide assistance by reviewing and disclosing how NCI has affected them. We are also asking them to review how they have responded to the NCI matter thus far. Authorizing independent and internal reviews is strongly encouraged. It is not helpful to simply try to "move on" and leaders and members are urged now to hold their organizations accountable. There is much to learn and many ways to help. We urge organizations affected by NCI to emulate the organizations in the "United Response" to the New Era Scandal: be transparent, accountable, and cooperate to return money.” PETRA Statement 2012: An International Call for integrity and Action [review this Statement and see the entries on this weblog for more information on some of the people and organizations affected]

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Transparency International (2012 video)

It's time to wake up. 
Because nothing never happens.
Something always happens when we do nothing.

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain. 

It is also the avoidance/rationalization of personal responsibility 

in order to placate one's conscience and/or to protect one's livelihood.

You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. 
And do not participate in the deeds of darkness, but rather unmask them. 

So wake up, and rise from the dead! Ephesians 5: 8, 11,14

Live Wrong ≠ Live Strong (Dec 2012--Jan 2013)

Live Wrong ≠ Live Strong

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Rand Guebert, MBA

Researcher/author of the NCI Professional Review

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Have you ever considered the possible parallels between Lance Armstrong et al.’s doping scandal and NCI?  Do the ends justify the means in either case?  Is the dishonesty worth it?

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The Armstrong et al. duping and doping scandal goes back to his first Tour de France victory in 1999.  For years he got away with it, accumulating six more Tour tiles.  And now seven years after his last title the truth finally has come out in a convincing and undeniable manner.

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So, why now?

Because people cared about cycling and its participants; those future generations of riders and spectators who would want a fair playing field. Those in the know, and those who had their doubts, persevered in pursuing the truth. Crucially, they fought through the wall of denial and opposition.  Enough cyclists cared about their own integrity and finally admitted their personal involvement. They made the difficult choice to take public responsibility and clean up their sport¹.

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Let’s look at some of the parallels between Armstrong et al. and NCI:

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1.      Armstrong and NCI were both associated with popular charities—Livestrong with the former and YWAM/Mercy Ships with the latter (according to court docs²).  People did not want to tarnish the image of these charities that are trying to do good—part of the rationalization that the ends justify the means.

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2.      Armstrong and some of the NCI promoters and investors were often endorsed by important persons whose reputations needed to be protected. Armstrong was endorsed by Nike and many journalists, while one of the chief promoters of NCI was endorsed for years by YWAM before it became known that NCI was bankrupt.

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3.      Governments appear to want to protect (or not deal with) both Armstrong and the real sponsors of NCI. Earlier this year the US government closed its investigation of Armstrong without bringing any charges, while in Sweden the government only prosecuted the administrator of NCI (a Swedish man) rather than others who actively promoted and benefitted from the money.

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Armstrong and people associated with NCI were both guilty of discrediting whistleblowers—they dealt with their critics by ostracizing them in order to conceal the truth, thus avoiding real transparency and accountability.

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4.      Armstrong and YWAM leaders both reinforced a regiment of secrecy on those in their sphere of influence in order to protect themselves.  The most telling evidence of this is that Armstrong’s fellow riders and YWAM members were afraid to resolutely step forward for fear of retribution.

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5.      In the Armstrong scandal it was fellow riders who finally brought the truth into the public light.  The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) played a role in wanting to clean up the sport of cycling, but this regulatory agency could not have been successful without the testimony of people in the know. Unfortunately in the case of NCI, no regulatory agency has stepped forward (even at the request of victims and others) to extract the truth.

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So, why not forget about NCI and just move on?

Evil never acquiesces easily.  Nor does injustice simply disappear with time. The evil and injustice surrounding NCI continues to contaminate the Christian community. NCI investors, the various organizations affected³, and YWAM members in particular (since YWAM as an organization has been affected more than any other) must consider whether the “secular” sport of cycling has stronger moral principles than the “Christian” work of missions.  That would be a sad statement if it is true.  And so far, based on my research of court documentation and involvement with the case, this is in fact the very sad reality.  One of these days the truth will come out just as it has for Armstrong et al. ^{4 5 6}
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When it does, which side of history will you be on?

Live Wrong ≠ Live Strong

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Note 1: For example, see the CBS News’ “60 Minutes Overtime” summary report online (10 October 2012) about the Armstrong and the US Postal Service cycling team--the code of silence, cover ups, etc http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57530044-10391709/usada-report-slams-lance-armstrong/

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Notes 2, 3: For links to documents and information on some of the people/organizations affected by NCI, see the previous weblog entries, such as June-July 2012 and August-September 2012.

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Note 4: Click here to watch some of Lance Armstrong’s repeated denials of doping (Telegraph, UK, 11 October 2012)

Note 5: Click here to watch the PBS News Hour report (October 2012) on Armstrong et al. and the doping scandal

Note 6: Click here to watch an overview of Armstrong's response to the USDA report (World News 365, August 2012).