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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are these lies he’s told serious?

89 replies

Lilachyacinth · 01/02/2021 07:40

Been attending a church (before first lockdowns even began) . Made a friend there, a group leader. He told me he has a job, something clever to do with IT ( wasn’t listening to the details to be honest!) which involves him often going on trips to other counties like France, to fix companies IT. Woman at church mentioned he was on benefits and that his shyness means that he’s never worked.
He told me he’d had an ex girlfriend who was a Romany gypsy who was ‘obsessed’ with him and he said she: ‘really looked up to me, I could do anything to her, she’d let me come home and rip her clothes off. She had schizophrenia and one time she just smiled so sinisterly. I felt like throwing her on the floor and exorcising her.’
Woman also mentioned he’s never had a girlfriend and she hopes me and him will get together. ( don’t fancy him).
He visited my house and I’d just moved back in after fleeing in the night weeks before believing that it was haunted/ demonic. ( It was a psychotic episode I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia) I said: ‘now I’ve been treated, diagnosed with schizophrenia and am on my meds, I can’t believe I ever thought this home was spooky, it’s so peaceful, I’ve even got the lovely old church ( not his church) right outside, I’m basically on holy ground!
He said, ‘Actually that old church is very dodgy. They found something evil under there.’
I just laughed because I’m so not scared of that church, my step great uncle was vicar there when I was a child and the ‘evil’ find was just some old bones which has been put in a plague pit, rather than buried properly. They were blessed and reburied. It wasn’t spooky, I just found it interesting as a child.
Aibu to not go back to this church when lockdown ends to avoid this man (he’s 30) or is he just immature telling harmless silly lies? He’s a bit immature, plays constant computer games and into fantasy stuff. (Nothing wring with that though). My support worker is keen for me to go back to that church and says he is just immature, lying to impress me as ‘must fancy me. My cousin said- ‘Don’t go back‘ because I’d struggled to get friendly with anyone else there ( mostly couples) as I’m very shy.

OP posts:
anxiousmess81 · 03/02/2021 00:16

Make*

NotFabulousDarling · 03/02/2021 00:24

He sounds like my friend's exH. They met at church and he was always full of total shit. She was divorced at 30. The things he's lying about sound inappropriate for a church leader and like he's lacking in boundaries. Can you find another church? The speaking in tongues etc would worry me as those sort of churches tend not to hold with getting help for mental illness (they tend to also be very fundamentalist). This isn't the "modern" church it's a particular denomination (usually calls itself "non-denominational" but that's actually a denomination in and of itself). Would you be more comfortable with a C of E church or maybe a Catholic one where the services are more old-fashioned? I go to a Catholic church (when no lockdown). You can check how a church "feels" by watching an online sermon if you want to find a new one. I appreciate your support worker wants you to have stability but they can often influence you to do things without taking on board why you don't feel it's working for you. I'd go with your gut. I know you've emailed the church but this man is still attending the church even if he's not at the youth group and it sounds like he prays on the vulnerable.

NotFabulousDarling · 03/02/2021 00:24

Sorry I meant "preys on the vulnerable" apparently I've got praying on the brain. Grin

famousforwrongreason · 03/02/2021 03:11

Your support worker sounds bloody stupid. What a dangerous thing to say to a vulnerable client.
Tell their manager and Get rid, there's plenty of decent support workers crying out for jobs.

If you want to go back to church and find it beneficial then keep out of the man's way.
Or find a different church and join some other social groups.

SavannahMiasMum · 03/02/2021 03:17

Keep well away he sounds dangerous

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 03/02/2021 06:37

I’m glad the diocese are on this, wonder if the pastor’s move was “managed”? I had a friend involved in an evangelical church (not in uk). It emerged there was many types of abuse going on there, and friend was subjected to conversion intervention for his sexuality.
If you aren’t Christian, not sure why you’re going anyway, but I agree, a hobby group would be healthier. How about a walking group? Fresh air,distancing and exercise?

AnitaB888 · 03/02/2021 06:57

The guy sounds really weird and not appropriate for a church 'leader' of any kind.

Please stop going to this church as it doesn't sound healthy for you.

If you do want to attend church go to a more mainstream one.

squishee · 03/02/2021 12:06

The lies he's told are a drop in that whole ocean of general weirdness... Step away and don't look back.

BabyofMine · 03/02/2021 12:41

Stay away, find another church. Whilst you may be able to realise he is talking nonsense, what would happen if you were struggling again? He could potentially say something that could trigger you if I’m the wrong frame of mind. Look after yourself and your own mental health, he is potentially very dangerous for you. And the church itself doesn’t sound much better; I’m sure there will a better fit for you.

Itsnotlikethiswithotherpeople · 03/02/2021 12:44

Whatever you decide please tell the adult safeguarding officer for the church what you’ve said here. I’m a leader in a church and we would absolutely want to know so that vulnerable women are protected and he is properly supported.

Itsnotlikethiswithotherpeople · 03/02/2021 12:45

Sorry just seen your update. Glad they have responded quickly!

stevalnamechanger · 03/02/2021 12:47

Stay well away

BlueThistles · 03/02/2021 12:49

@Lilachyacinth

Hi sorry I keep updating. Earlier, I sent an email to my local dioceses as people on here suggested. A lady replied super fast ( didn’t think anyone would see the email for a while ) she’s phoned someone in charge at the church, at home and the person says the man is not, and never was, even present at the youth group. Says the leaders and helpers of the youth group cr b c checked. (Why did he lie?) also makes it sound like I’m nuts for repeating his lie! They seem to be taking me seriously and are ‘investigating sensitively’.

Pastor is apparently not pastor anymore, left just before first lockdown to work at recovery from drug addiction charity. Had no idea. Was there about one week before lockdown and he never said leaving.

Man not going to be leader of any group anymore and an idea mentioned of him being supervised by a senior church member mentioned
Very quick response to say lockdown! All thanks to you lot or I wouldn’t have emailed at all. X

glad you contacted someone 🌺

Peacocking · 03/02/2021 12:55

This particular church sounds batshit and an unsafe place for you. Full body swerve and avoid everything and everyone connected with it!

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