Dr. Arild Abrahamsen Speaks Out For Himself And Linda Options

[Johann]

Arild Abrahamsen has long prayed sanity and truth would prevail, and that Walt Thompson and/or Danny Shelton would come to their senses. So he has kept silent these past two years. Now that Linda is still being persecuted and she is prevented from pursuing the ministry God has called her to do, he feels obliged to reveal his part of the story.

He has written his long letter, and only a few technicalities prevent these from being copied to this thread.

Stay tuned and watch out for his story right here.

This post has been edited by Johann: Jul 13 2006, 12:08 PM

[Johann]

Many have indicated a desire to hear from Dr. Arild Abrahamsen in person.
He has prepared this document, sent it to me, and asked me to post it here
for him, with no changes in his wording. I am therefore doing this.
Since it is rather lengthy, we are dividing it into small sections, so as
to make it easier for any of you who wish to comment or ask questions on
any section to do so. I am not adding any comments to his words other than
one line at the top of each segment giving the identifying information as
to the author and which section of his document is in that post.

Permission is granted by the author to copy and share this document
so long as the document is used in its entirety without interior
comments, deletions, or editing, and the author's name, place, and date
of writing as well as the url of this BSDA forum on which it is being
published are included.


Letter from Dr. Abrahamsen, June 20, 2006, Section One.



Greetings from Norway;

My name is Dr. Arild Abrahamsen. I live in Svindal, Norway. I have been a medical doctor for more than 35 years. I am a member of the Moss SDA Church. I've been the Sabbath School superintendent for 14 years and the head elder for 4 years, which position I am presently serving. I am the Norwegian doctor who has been slandered by Dr. Walt Thompson, chairman of the board of
3ABN, Danny Shelton, John Lomacang and others.

Since I have observed the situation and the slander only getting worse, I feel it best to share my experience. I share my personal experience, what I have seen and heard. Much of this information has been verified by other sources, which include emails, letters and the personal experiences of
others. I share my experience not to attack any individual or organization, but to bring the truth of this situation to the surface.

I have been shocked to observe the events of the last two years. I have made no public statement until now. I had hoped things would resolve themselves.

I visited Johann and Irmgard Thorvaldsson at 3ABN the last week of 2003. The purpose of the trip was to see them and visit the ministry, which I personally had been supporting for some time. I had never been to 3ABN previously, nor had I met the Shelton's. During this visit I discovered from the Thorvaldsson's that Linda Shelton's son, Nathan, was in a dangerous state of health because of an addiction to drugs and working in coalmines. I offered to see him. This visit resulted in an
invitation for Nathan to come to Norway for treatments. Nathan came to Norway around January 20, 2004 along with his friend, Dava Vice. Linda came for a 3-½ day visit to support her son, the first week of February together with Brenda Walsh. This was the last time I saw Linda until the weekend she was fired.

I had a chance to visit with Nathan regularly. I learned from my conversations with Nathan that the roots of his drug problems were the relationships with his father and stepfather. Specifically he told me that Danny had turned his back on him. I shared this information with his mother on the phone. She told me that Danny said he had no responsibility towards Nathan since he was a product of her first marriage, so she felt she had to do what she could to help her son. There was nothing unusual in the occasional phone reports I gave Nathan's mother while he was in Norway. After Nathan returned home, I asked Linda to keep me updated on Nathan's progress.

To Be Continued

[Johann]

Letter from Dr. Abrahamsen, June 20, 2006, Section Two


I was shocked to discover in early March of 2004 that Danny was threatening to get Linda fired from 3ABN because of some conversations on the phone. In fact, she was threatened immediately with divorce. By this time Nathan had started with drugs again and Linda was seeking advice. I was also shocked to discover that Brenda had started circulating untrue statements as well. (Was it because Danny had admitted to some emotional involvement with Brenda?) I talked to Danny one time on the phone and found him to be unreasonable, unbalanced and very difficult to communicate with. Johann Thorvaldsson, a retired pastor of the SDA Church of 50 years, also was in communication with Danny, both by phone and email. We talked together and shared the same opinion that Danny was acting completely irrational and unreasonable towards his wife. It appeared he was attempting to leave an email trail filled with untruths to verify a position at a later time. The decision was made to stop the communication by phone with Linda.

Some weeks went by. Johann and Irmgard were getting treatments at my clinic and staying in my home during the Easter week in April, so I discovered from them that the situation was not improving for Linda. She was being harassed, threatened, and unreasonable demands by her husband were repeatedly being made to confess things she had not done. By this time, she was also
suspended from her job at 3ABN, an order that was issued and enforced by her husband with no Board action. Things were so bad in the home that she found it necessary to go to her daughter's home in Springfield, Illinois for safety and rest on several occasions. Derrell Mundall, who was traveling often for 3ABN, reports rumors of Linda's so-called "affair" were in SDA churches in April 2004, when Linda was still living with Danny. When he inquired about the source of the rumors, people always pointed to Danny Shelton.

I could see from my 35 years of experience as a physician that Danny was a psychopath. Accusations were directed at me that I had done "mind control" over Linda. (Walt Thompson made the same accusations in his letters.) Linda was accused of sending "secret messages" to me over the television. Danny's emails and communications with Johann were completely crazy, and his reasoning often conflicted with his previous emails. Danny targeted Linda's few inner circle onfidants and slandered her to the point that even they backed away from her at this critical time. (Linda's "friends" did not want to lose their television privileges.) Johann and I concluded this was a man
who was determined to get rid of his wife. We also concluded that Linda was in danger.

Things eventually progressed from emotional and mental abuse to physical abuse. In the midst of all this harassment Linda asked Danny, 'Why are you treating me like this?' He answered, 'Because I want you to get out.'

To Be Continued

[Uncle Sam]

I appreciate you posting this but I have a couple of questions? If nothing happened as Danny says, did Linda and the Dr. ever have a relationship after the fact? Also, what happened to Danny's ex son in law? Why did him and Melody divorce? Was he also fired from 3ABN? Or was he too uncomfortable to work there?

This post has been edited by Uncle Sam: Jul 14 2006, 02:33 AM

[Observer]

I appreciate you posting this but I have a couple of questions? If nothing happened as Danny says, did Linda and the Dr. ever have a relationship after the fact? Also, what happened to Danny's ex son in law? Why did him and Melody divorce? Was he also fired from 3ABN? Or was he too uncomfortable to work there?

This is mighty powerful, first-hand information. Thanks for posting it, Johann.

Linda denies ever having a relationship with Dr. A, of the nature of which she has been accused. As to the other questions regarding Melody, and her ex-husband, Johann knows more about that than I do.

This post has been edited by Observer: Jul 14 2006, 03:24 AM

[Daryl Fawcett]

Yes, this is indeed mighty first hand information!

[calvin]

I believe you have just persuaded me to end much of the skepticism I had and get off the fence. I had been waiting and wanting to hear from the Norwegian doctor that treated Linda’s son. It is hard for me to believe that Johann would fabricate this story. This side of the story needs to get out. Daryl, Gregory Matthews, Atoday, you need to point your members here to this story or get Johann’s permission publish it at your place.

Johann, thank you for choosing BSDA as the media to get this side of the story out. My heart goes out to anyone who has been wronged and abused. Glad BSDA could help.

[September]

I'm SO glad the truth is coming out! Keep it coming, Dr. A!

[Denny]

When the gag is lifted Linda's story will be just as interesting. I have a feeling she may not say anything for the good of the 3ABN ministry but then maybe her friends can persuade her to defend herself and counter the other stories. We have this attitude in our church of not showing our dirty linen and those who dirty the linen get away with it over and over again.
I'm going to show this to the people I know watch 3ABN up to now I haven't said anythng regarding whats being said here.
I doubt it will make any difference most of them are older conservative West Indian Adventists (generally that mind set finds it hard to find anything connected to Adventism to be at fault)


This post has been edited by Denny: Jul 14 2006, 08:08 AM

[watchbird]

I believe you have just persuaded me to end much of the skepticism I had and get off the fence. I had been waiting and wanting to hear from the Norwegian doctor that treated Linda’s son. It is hard for me to believe that Johann would fabricate this story. This side of the story needs to get out. Daryl, Gregory Matthews, Atoday, you need to point your members here to this story or get Johann’s permission publish it at your place.

Johann, thank you for choosing BSDA as the media to get this side of the story out. My heart goes out to anyone who has been wronged and abused. Glad BSDA could help.

And, speaking for all concerned, thank you BSDA for setting up this convenient place to which all can come to become informed.

As for permissions, do note the statement at the top of segment one, which applies to the whole document, which was cut into segments for ease of on-line readers who might want to respond to a specific point.

I'm sure Arild is pleased to learn that he is helping you "get off the fence". And just think, this is only segment two. There are five more to go.

Stay tuned.

[Chez]

And, speaking for all concerned, thank you BSDA for setting up this convenient place to which all can come to become informed.

As for permissions, do note the statement at the top of segment one, which applies to the whole document, which was cut into segments for ease of on-line readers who might want to respond to a specific point.

I'm sure Arild is pleased to learn that he is helping you "get off the fence". And just think, this is only segment two. There are five more to go.

Stay tuned.

PRAISE GOD! PRAISE GOD! Finally, we are hearing Dr. Abrahamsen's voice. I look forward to reading more of the truth. The truth will prevail!

[Daryl Fawcett]

Calvin,

I noticed that Johann also posted the segments of this letter over at Club Adventist with the exact wording and conditions as stated here, however, Johann did post it there without giving a URL to this topic, therefore, I have invited Johann to also post it over at MSDAOL.

And, yes, Calvin, this definitely makes it clear that something really is rotten in the state of Denmark, as Shakespeare would say.

This post has been edited by Daryl Fawcett: Jul 14 2006, 09:41 AM

[Johann]

Letter from Dr. Abrahamsen, June 20, 2006, Section Three.

Considering the urgency of the situation I allowed the conversations to resume. Linda knew, with her high profile status, that confiding with local people regarding these issues would be very bad for the ministry. I had given counsel to people in difficulty in the past and felt I could be helpful from a distance in this situation. I encouraged Linda to fight for her marriage and ministry many times. This she really did, but she often had to leave her home to find refuge at her daughter's apartment in Springfield, even in the middle of the night because of Danny's behavior. At times like these she was afraid of him. She always returned to her home after a couple of days seeking to try to mend the marriage, but Danny would not allow this.

During the spring of 2004 Danny called my pastor in Norway. Danny tried to get me kicked out as an elder and as a member of the church. My pastor told me about the conversation and he said, "He is mentally sick, he needs professional help."

I find it very disturbing that Walt Thompson defended and continues to defend Danny although he was a witness repeatedly to the emotional and mental abuse that was taking place. At one point he witnessed Danny "trashing" his wife for five hours. I also find it disturbing that John Lomacang, Linda's former pastor, claims to have counseled extensively with Danny and Linda when this was far from the truth. During the months of April and May of 2004, when most of the activity was occurring in this situation, Linda NEVER saw John, who was supposed to be her pastor.

Coincidentally the handful of people supporting Danny and defending his actions has gained either power, position, airtime, homes, public endorsement or all of the above.

Stay Tuned for another section - or more

[simplysaved]

Is it being suggested that Danny Shelton may have bipolar disorder and that this is reason for his choices over the past few years?

Will Dr. Abrahamsen be willing to do an interview here at BSDA related to what is presented in the letter?

The other question that I have related to the letter posted (in segments) is will/has the doctor formally sent the letter to:

1. NAD
2. 3ABN Board of Directors
3. All persons mentioned in the letter

[calvin]

Calvin,

I noticed that Johann also posted the segments of this letter over at Club Adventist with the exact wording and conditions as stated here, however, Johann did post it there without giving a URL to this topic, therefore, I have invited Johann to also post it over at MSDAOL.

And, yes, Calvin, this definitely makes it clear that something really is rotten in the state of Denmark, as Shakespeare would say.

That is good to hear Daryl. Now have you and CA opened up the letter to everyone to read or still hiding? It is now on the net, if available here, it is available everywhere. Why the privacy?