[Vlista] Unbreakable Faith - Chapter 2

[GaryO]

Chapter 2 has been posted for your reading pleasure.

 

Great Job Vance!!!

 

GaryO

[dkstories]

I don't know which would be worse...having the next chapter to read when I'm in such a bloody rage or waiting a week for the next chapter to spin me up into such a rage.

 

In other words, great storytelling, Vance. I look forward to seeing the next chapter and fluctuating between murderous rages and moments of introspection where I debate with myself the value of revenge versus the value of justice. Then I start wondering, start hoping that the other students in his school are smarter than the teachers and the church-goers.

[Drewbie]

uggh his dad, where's a shotgun when you need it.

Gets my rage boiling thanks Vance

[AFriendlyFace]

The first thing that struck me about this chapter was how awful it must have been for poor Ian to write an anti-gay rights paper. It must have been completely sickening. I was disgusted just reading about a gay person having to do it . That definitely seems like awful emotional abuse.

 

[Conner]

Vance, you're telling this story so well you're depressing the hell out of me.

 

Nathan is indeed Ian's only hope at this juncture. Although, it seems that his first job will have to be convincing Ian that he's being abused. I hope he doesn't wait too long before donning his white cowboy hat, mounting his trusty white steed and cut somebody off at the pass.

 

I have this foreboding feeling that the upcoming church picnic turns into another public shaming for Ian.

 

Conner

[Rabble_Rouser]

Vance,

 

Another great chapter in another great story! I find your stories addictive and compelling. Like DK, I find myself livid with the good reverend but I find his wife even more disgusting than him. She doesn't seem to met out the physical abuse but seems to take a sick enjoyment in it judging by her eagerness to report any transgressions to her husband.

 

I spent a good amount of time thinking about this story after the first chapter. My Grandfather was a minister and I know he despised people like Ian's parents as he was a big believer in the "judge not lest ye be judged" school of thought and had no tolerance for hypocrites. It made me even more thankful of my family.

 

While I think the physical abuse is horrible, I think Ian's biggest problem if (when) he gets removed from his "family" while be adjusting to a normal life. His parents seem to go to great lengths to keep him completely isolated from any social contact other than them. He's not even allowed to go between classes without an escort from his mother. I'm thinking that they do that not to do their duty to ensure their son is guided into adulthood with only good Christian influences (I'm still waiting to see some other than that expressed by the guys in the bathroom). Ian's social isolation does two things; ensure his parent can continue to abuse him without interference or risk of discovery and creates a belief by Ian that all kids are treated that way by their parents.

 

I'm also surprised since they seem to think the public school is such a den of iniquity that they haven't home schooled Ian or sent him to a private christian school. Same goes for the wife.

 

Also, about the good "christian" men and women of that church... it just sickens me that they know the abuse is going on (from the good reverend talking about it in his windbag sermons and from the comments about the willow tree looking bad because Ian has to cut so many switches off it). I understand some people believing a swat on the bum for a small child who hasn't reached the age where they can reason but beating a teenager with a stick\switch\belt goes so far beyond acceptable, I dont know where to begin with these people. Why they haven't fired the good reverend yet (like many other previous charges must have based upon the number of times Ian has had to move) is beyond me.

 

Ok, I didn't intend for that to be so long but this story gets me more wound up than any of Vance's previous stories... I think I feel a little better now that I've gotten that off my chest!

 

Steve (looking for the guy in the white hat riding the white horse to rescue Ian and impatiently waiting for the next chapter)

[C James]

This is a very powerful story, and brings up a lot of emotions in me, rage being amongst them.

 

Ian's "parents" disgust me beyond words, mainly because they are thoroughly (sadly) believable. I didn't think I could hate a character more than I hated Shane's father, but Ian's "father" is worse.

 

I live in an area where fundamentalists of one ilk or another are the most common group, and all too many times I've seen parents force their kids to do what Ian had to do: speak out against this or that (homosexuality being a prime target). To give a better feel for the area, I'll mention that the local state assembly-person is noted for saying "Homosexuality leads to bestiality and cannibalism" and other hateful things.

 

I find this story to be frighteningly realistic.

 

Vance, this is excellent writing, and looks to be an excellent story.

CJ

[shadowgod]

This story is Horrible!

 

Not the writing, The writing is superb!

 

Not the premis, I always find stories that with homosexuality and religion intriuging.

 

Its the whole situation Ian finds himself in. Who should ever have to hope for reform school as an escape?

 

The are many characters to dislike Id say hate but I dont want to stoop to that venom spewing preachers level. I am however disapionted in Ian's English teacher. He showed such promise when he questioned Ians paper as if he knew something wasn't kosher. Then to turn around and tell the kid that looking at Ian made him sick? That was a horrible tresspass in my opinion.

 

Definately looking forward to definately reading more... I need an outlet for my anger anyway!

 

keep up the good work!

 

Steve

[JK020489]

Hur Ray for Nathon he better help Ian or else. Though it wont be an easy task with Ian's lunch fun time *rolls eyes.* It probally wouldn't be so bad for the kid if his bitch mom didn't work there. Anyways can't wait for the next chapter

[AFriendlyFace]

While I think the physical abuse is horrible, I think Ian's biggest problem if (when) he gets removed from his "family" while be adjusting to a normal life. His parents seem to go to great lengths to keep him completely isolated from any social contact other than them. He's not even allowed to go between classes without an escort from his mother. I'm thinking that they do that not to do their duty to ensure their son is guided into adulthood with only good Christian influences (I'm still waiting to see some other than that expressed by the guys in the bathroom). Ian's social isolation does two things; ensure his parent can continue to abuse him without interference or risk of discovery and creates a belief by Ian that all kids are treated that way by their parents.

Excellent points, Steve! I quite agree

I'm also surprised since they seem to think the public school is such a den of iniquity that they haven't home schooled Ian or sent him to a private christian school. Same goes for the wife.

LOL, well unless it was a Christian school with the same attitudes and beliefs that Ian's parents have I personally think any private school (Christian or otherwise) would be more likely to "get in their business".

Also, about the good "christian" men and women of that church... it just sickens me that they know the abuse is going on (from the good reverend talking about it in his windbag sermons and from the comments about the willow tree looking bad because Ian has to cut so many switches off it). I understand some people believing a swat on the bum for a small child who hasn't reached the age where they can reason but beating a teenager with a stick\switch\belt goes so far beyond acceptable, I dont know where to begin with these people. Why they haven't fired the good reverend yet (like many other previous charges must have based upon the number of times Ian has had to move) is beyond me.

I definitely agree with you. I think some people might not realize the degree to the punishment and many of them probably think "light" physical punishment is okay even for a teenager.

 

The are many characters to dislike Id say hate but I dont want to stoop to that venom spewing preachers level. I am however disapionted in Ian's English teacher. He showed such promise when he questioned Ians paper as if he knew something wasn't kosher. Then to turn around and tell the kid that looking at Ian made him sick? That was a horrible tresspass in my opinion.

My take on this upon initially reading it (to confess I have read the whole thing , but my "initial" reaction) was that Ian's teacher thought that Ian truly believed what he was saying in his paper. It's not uncommon for people from religiously or politically volitile homes to blindly accept the idealogy their parents are spewing even if they haven't thought about it on their own and can't give good reasons when questioned. They still "believe" it, they just don't really know why.

 

I think Ian's teacher is assuming that Ian blindly accepts the thoughts expressed in his paper and he's hoping to challenge Ian to think about it on his own.

 

Hur Ray for Nathon he better help Ian or else. Though it wont be an easy task with Ian's lunch fun time *rolls eyes.* It probally wouldn't be so bad for the kid if his bitch mom didn't work there. Anyways can't wait for the next chapter

I agree, I think the fact that his mother works there is central to them being able to control Ian so much. I wonder if she took the job just for this reason?

 

Have an awesome day everyone!

Kevin