"Before evangelical leaders say a word about the upcoming election, abortion policy or drag queens, they must look at why sexual abuse is occurring in congregations."
In saying this, Nicole Russell speaks as a lifelong evangelical who wonders why her fellow evangelicals think they have the moral high road as they attack LGBTQ people and support Trump, of all people, while ignoring "a clear pattern of abusive and at times criminal behavior among pastors and other leaders in a growing list of evangelical congregations."
"Elders at Gateway Church in the Dallas area claim that until recently, they didn’t know the woman with whom Robert Morris had a 'moral failing' in the 1980s was only 12 years old. However, emails released today [June 21] by the attorney for the alleged victim, Cindy Clemishire, call that claim into question."
@wdlindsy i would ask them to start with The Annunciation, and work forward. Their religion is founded upon the angelic coercion and divine assault of a minor.
@wdlindsy@debonairetoast anything that might emphasize empathy with a woman or girl was very much not encouraged to cover in depth. Gloss over that part. Talk about how awesome it is to suffer and obey cruelty, like yanno, for God and stuff. Ignore that time Judith did that vile thing to Holofernes.
Church did not like me being an avid reader, and someone who liked to openly discuss deeper connotations. Golly, what would they think of my art history minor? Lol
@NadiaPurge@debonairetoast Yes, this kind of misogyny is ingrained as a strand — often a strong one — in religious traditions worldwide, isn't it? And at the same time, many religious traditions also comprise strands that move in precisely the opposite direction, toward liberation of women.
@corruptian I suspect that those abused in church settings might find your approach something less than compassionate or understanding — towards them. As if we can and should play the suffering of one group of people against the suffering of another group, with one group's suffering mattering more…. I think Gerard Gorman might disagree with you.