Jimmy Clifton Gives Away Doctorates!

Jimmy's Offer for a Ph.D. to Trudy Veerman: CLICK HERE

Of course with Trudy's "wonderful" background who wouldn't offer her a free Ph.D with no work involved? CLICK HERE

Jimmy's offer of a Ph.D. to everyone in his denomination who has $100 to spare: CLICK HERE

Jimmy promotes another blatant degree mill to his mail list (at least he's not afraid of competition): CLICK HERE

 

This stuff is depressing and annoying. Doing things contrary to Christianity does nothing to advance the cause of Christ in the minds of your average person and in fact does damage to the reputation of Christianity. Are these folks working for the opposition.

Do people with 5 or 10 degree mill doctorates and licensure from unrecognized or counseling mill organziations feel they are impressing anyone? Unfortunately, some do not check out peoples credentials. Nonetheless, as a Christian you owe God your best and that ain't it (no matter what internal justifications a person can create).

I would encourage Jimmy to look at going back and getting an accredited graduate degree and possibly a doctorate. He at one point considered LRS and that may not be a bad idea. Next thing would be to quit issuing Ph.D's as a professional courtesy. Jimmy could do a lot to advance his cause by maintaining high standards.



North

 

I agree North. As a Christian minister I hesitate to expose this stuff because I don't want anyone to get the impression that most Christians in ministry would stand for this unethical trash for a second. At the same time, I think it is good to expose some of these charlatans in the hope that they will clean up their act.

 

Unfortunately I don't think that will occur. Christianity seems to be a magnet for folks running mills of various kinds. Some of it reminds me of the fraternal organizations where people of common background could obtain wonderful titles and uniforms. Overnight they become the Grand High Most Excellent Supreme Pubah. In Christianity in the non mainline denominations you can become a Rev after saying you were called and with no formal education (no need to trouble yourself with hard education just take the eeeasy way). Being the Rev is not enough and so many whip themselves out a quickie milled doctorate to be even more impressive. No they are the Reverend Dr. If that is not enough make yourself a Bishop or Apostle. Zeesh. It reminds me of the story of the old pastor who asked the younger one "were you called or did you just send yourself".

North

 

Actually

Brother Bubba Jones from the Second Street Independent Church (Choktaw, WV) feels a call to ministry, so what should he do?

1. He goes to the local Christian book store and purchases an ordination diploma for $3.99, then fills in the pertinant data from the Universal Life Church website.

2. Although Rev. Bubba has only a 7th Grade education, he submits his application to American College, and gets his Ph.D. for $199.

3. While he has difficulty speaking/writing correctly, Dr. Bubba now begins to place the letters "Ph.D." on his computer generated business cards.

Now Dr. Bubba Jones is invited to speak at a church in the adjacent county, however, none of the good church folk know that Dr. Jones has pursued such a path to obtaining his credentials. The pastor introduces him to the congregation by saying, "It is a delight to have Dr. Bubba Jones as our guest speaker this evening."

Bubba walks to the podium, clears his throat and greets the parishioners:

Hey yall, it sho nuff is good to be witch ya all. Im a might proud to be here.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

 

Re: Actually

 

I have to disappoint you all.

Dear friends,

I just happened to notice through my "watchful" web site gadget that some of you did visit my website to check out my degrees.
So, I thought I come over myself to disappoint you.

I NEVER received any such "hand-out" degree from Dr. Jimmy Clifton.
As a matter of fact I worked hard for 4 doctor's degrees. I received one degree, Doctor of Ministry, as an Honorary degree from the Trinitarian Ministries, Hot Springs, AR, for my years of ministry in the counseling field. I NEVER asked for this either. It was presented to me after my ministry was thoroughly checked out.

Just to satisfy your curiousity think about the following: "How do you think one will become a Licensed Clinical Christian Therapist?"

With fake degrees?? Are you kidding??

I'm inviting you to my website and read some of my helpful pages and also the many poetic pages, and judge for yourself if anyone can write on these subject with fake degrees.


INSPIRING WRITINGS FOR GODLY LIVING

I'm suggesting that you reach out to them in need of help, rather than wasting your time on gossip.

Blessings to you all.

Dr. Trudy Veerman

 

Dr Veerman

I do not believe anyone accused you of accepting such a degree. The problem was with the person who apparently offered it to you.

 

Re: I have to disappoint you all.

Well.... according to the website of the AACT (from whom you are apparently claiming licensure), there is nothing to indicate that a degree from a fake or less-than-wonderful school wouldn't be acceptable.

The AACT says nothing about requiring any sort of accreditation, whether from TRACS or RA or whatever. The school need only be "recognized" by the AACT, and the certification standards seem to imply that it is possible to gain licensure *without* a degree if you have appropriate reference letters.

Now, AACT's process could be a rigorous or a nonexistent one... I'm not qualified to judge... but I have emailed Steve Levicoff, a recognized expert on Christian diploma mills, and asked for his opinion, so we'll see.

In any case, I find it interesting that the AACT is using the term "licensed." I suspect that certain states would object strenuously to the use of the word "licensed," even for a Christian counselor, because that term usually implies licensure by the state, not by some private authority.

But... the jury is still out, and I'll happily admit to being incorrect if Steve gives the AACT a clean bill of health.

 

Re: I have to disappoint you all.

Dr. Dr. Dr. Veerman lists her degrees, but not their source(s). And AACT uses the terms "certified," and "licensed." Huge difference between them. (And they have nine levels of it!)

 

Re: I have to disappoint you all.

May I ask where the four doctorate were earned?

 

One more reply ....

I'll reply one more time, as I cannot allow myself to waste any.

In the first place, Dr. James Clifton never offered a degree for $100. He offered the STUDY PROGRAM, which after satisfactory finishing the courses eventually will give one the degree.

About AACT...you haven't read this well enough as one needs a doctor's degree in order to become licensed. Also check the on-line application form.
Another thing, if one never has applied for certification with AACT you will not know what their committee accepts or not. But, I do.

They will NOT accept fake degrees, which does not need to be mentioned on their website. Applicants with such degrees will soon find out and they will plainly be dropped.
Degrees are well checked out for validity.

Even completing the AACT application, giving detailed Ministry/work/personal information was quite some task.

I'll tell you this much, I don't care if anyone gives a "clean bill of health" or not to any I'm associated with or have earned degrees with.

I know what I have, I'm called of God and I do His work.
Literally, thousands have found freedom in Christ, deliverance, encouragement, healing and salvation through the power of God in my counseling ministry.

Apparently God has given me a "clean bill of health" and this is all that matters.

Praise His wonderful name.

So, why don't you all get busy with doing something more worthwhile and constructive rather than sifting out others, as also the Pharisees did.

Know that you have to give account to God for every word you write on this board.
I haven't read anything yet which glorifies His name.

So, go ahead with your "informative" posts, if you wish, but I won't be participating any further.

In His service.
Dr. Trudy Veerman

 

Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Veerman (sorry, I forgot the honorary one last time) doesn't answer anyone's inquiries, except to assure us that AACT's standards are high and that they don't accept fake degrees.

Um, no. For they have in her case, and the people who are listed on the website also advertise their fake degrees.

"Know that you have to give account to God for every word you write on this board. "

This is an undignified, cheap, little threat. Well, I'm aiming a bit lower, hoping that a secular authority takes notice of this little fraud and requires some accounting. (The IRS and the FBI come to mind.)

Does Veerman have even one degree (doctoral or otherwise) that is accredited? I guess we'll never know.

 

wowie!!!

 

Re: One more reply ....ONE MORE PLEASE?

___________________________________________



But Doc Trudy, before you check out could you provide a word (from God?) and help me out with a small problem I am busy with? I hope you consider the doctrine of God and exegetics "worthwhile'? You see Doc Trudy I would like to tap the great knowledge which you acquired from all that hard work you did to get the PhD in Bible and also the doctorate in Theology.

So here's an occasion to helpfully use both of those disciplines. I am in the beginning stages of writing my dissertation on trinal relationships. But I am trying to mesh the Thomistic and Cappadocian notion of perichoresis with the view of Zodhiates on whether John's use of "pros" rather than "en" in his Prologue is significant in defining an ontological relationship. What is your opinion on perichoresis as taught by Aquinas and Gregory of Nyssa and the effect of the lexical meaning of those prepositions in the Johannine literature on such opining?

Here's a chance for you to give an account for every word and also to show up these meanies on this forum who doubt your credentials!!

Thanking you in advance for your expected insights, Oh, by the way, did you also get a" doctor's degree" for filling out the AACT application which was "quite some task"?

 

Re: One more reply ....

May I ask once again the source of your four doctorates?

 

Jimmy Clifton Gives Away Doctorates!

This will be my first and last post. I am Jimmy Clifton's wife and I have watched with shock and horror how you all have treated him cruelly and horribly! He left this posting and you continue to attack him. Now you are attacking our good friend Trudy Veerman. My husband is a good and decent man who has been respected in every community and church he has been in. Everything he has done has been done with sincere conviction and a belief he was doing God's work. Yes, he has made some stupid errors of judgement. But, he has never given out any PHD degrees in counseling and social work as you state <Jimmy Clifton Gives Away Doctorates!> He saw this was not a good idea and no one, anywhere, ever, got one. Only one person was wanting one after the offer was taken back and he was referred to St. Paul Christian College, Indiana. My husband has pointed out to me the post of BLD or something like that. He is, I guess, a minister in the Churches of Christ or Christian Church or some Restoration movement branch. He should see this site <http://theologicaluofa.com> and get his own house in order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now one more thing, Barton Stone Divinity School only awarded three degrees total, that's all, before it merged with St. Paul and no money was ever received or asked for. Get your facts straight before you attack. Yes, I am working on a degree through a DETC school. I won't name it because you don't like DETC either from what my husband has told me. Respectfully and in Christian love, Donna Kay Clifton

 

Re: One more reply ....

Originally posted by Doc Trudy
I'll reply one more time, as I cannot allow myself to waste any.

(snip)

I'll tell you this much, I don't care if anyone gives a "clean bill of health" or not to any I'm associated with or have earned degrees with.


Pretty much standard millspeak. I was willing to cut her a break until she started with that old refrain.


I know what I have, I'm called of God and I do His work.
Literally, thousands have found freedom in Christ, deliverance, encouragement, healing and salvation through the power of God in my counseling ministry.


Literally thousands? Unless she does group therapy with hundreds of people at a time, or sees most of her people one time for an hour or two each, this seems highly unlikely.


Apparently God has given me a "clean bill of health" and this is all that matters.


Her state's licensing authority may care to differ.


So, why don't you all get busy with doing something more worthwhile and constructive rather than sifting out others,

I would say that helping people to avoid degree mills and those offering psychotherapy and other counseling services with degree mill credentials is pretty worthwhile and constructive.


Know that you have to give account to God for every word you write on this board.
I haven't read anything yet which glorifies His name.


Well, even though this board isn't focused on religious or spiritual practices, we do have a couple of dedicated folks who gently remind us of their experiences with God's grace from time to time, so once again, it's clear that you haven't really done your research.


So, go ahead with your "informative" posts, if you wish, but I won't be participating any further.


Once again, standard millspeak. People show up here quite often to defend their unaccredited degrees, end up sticking their foot in their mouth, and then mysteriously become too "busy" to continue to participate.


In His service.
Dr. Trudy Veerman

I'd suggest not using "Dr." in any marketing you do in Oregon or Florida, or it will likely land you in jail.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY AND THE MINISTRY

 

Whether this is really Jimmy's wife or Jimmy himself, it offers no support for Jimmy's statements; rather, it reinforces the dim view in which they are held. A bunch of fake schools handing out fake degrees, and everyone sitting around calling themselves "doctor."

And if she gets her information about DETC from her husband, then she should go through the threads and read for herself. The sum of thought around here about DETC isn't anywhere near as dismal as she portrays. But that would require an open mind, seemingly in short supply.