What are your thoughts about the horror of widespread sexual abuse and coverup now being revealed in the Southern Baptist Church?

Question

razelove · Accepted Answer

Same as it was with the Catholic church. If on a regular you leave your kids alone with strange adults, don't ask how it went, or pop in unexpected to see what's going on, that's as much on you.

For me trust comes through verification, not blind belief. Priests, preachers, deacons, they're all people, granted through their career, if they have a flock, people very good at guiding other people where they want them to go. Regardless there's nothing wrong with faith, or trusting other people. There is something wrong with trusting someone simply because of their profession though. Except firefighters. I absolutely trust every one of them knows how to start a fire, I mean put it out.

Bardish · Accepted Answer

Churches are centers of manipulation and control. That this happens and keeps happening shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

SimpleGuy95 · Answer

I think it´s a tragedy but it´s going to become more normal in a day and age where most guys consume porn and pastors aren´t different than other people. I think the church has to find a way of reacting to that because it´s not only a church problem that´s a problem that arises where there are hierarchies and authoritative systems.
That´s not an excuse to make that clear but we live in an over-sexualized world. When I drive to work there is an advertisement for female swim wear or underwear at every station showing women in complete figure in either underwear or bikinis.
Like 79% of America´s men consume porn. What did you expect that pastors are so holy that they won´t start watching porn either? We live in a way where sex sells best than it ever did.
I feel like it was hypocritical of church thinking that problem could only arise in the Catholic Church and it´s also hypocritical of everyone else expecting pastors to be different from all other men.
The simple reason why they cover it is because it´s shameful to admit that they have a slept with another woman maybe because of an over-use of porn due to the the position they´re in. Many pastors haven´t got any further education other than theology so they can´t do anything else.
The biggest issue I see for now is a demonising of women in general because the logic conclusion that a pastor can never spend time alone with a woman unless it´s his wife behind closed doors.
Because the risk that something happens is highly and what ever happens leads to problems for him but never for her. So a male pastor can never do counseling with a woman alone unless it´s over telephone or zoom because chances are that something happens especially he will regret in some way.

WonderBell99 · Answer

I’m not surprised

It’s been happening for ages now and someone needs to speak up against this monstrosity.

It’s easy for everyone to say - “practice abstinence” but does it work in actual life? No. This is what sexual repression causes. Pure havoc.

I’ve never seen anything good come out of religion. My father often says that religion is a tool developed by crusty old men to control people and make them follow herd mentality so that they cannot think for themselves. Some pristine examples where sexual abuse happens would be Catholic Churches and mental institutions.

I’ve only seen religions creating hate and dividing people. One of the many reasons why I’m not religious.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

Can I ask, why are you anonymous? But anyway;

You get what you ask for, seek and you shall find etc., etc. What do people actually think these folks actually want? They want domination, control, and subservience. And they want to be able to pretend that God gave them absolute power.

I don't know when folks will wake up and realize, they are just being used. Christianity is about worshiping Christ. When you find out you are just worshiping some pastor or political leader, it is time to get out.

possumpi26 · Answer

I'm not surprised that people are so fucking evil that if they get an opportunity to do something fucked up, heinous and perverted they will do it and then try to hide it and this happens with people who practice many different religions and many who are not even involved in organized religion, people suck and cannot be trusted.

PJH359 · Answer

I think it’s one of the most despicable acts someone can commit against another human being. The idea of being sexually assaulted…my God I’d probably opt for death if given a choice. The prior abuse in the Catholic Church was enough to drive me out of the religion after 20 years as a practitioner.

MarkRet · Answer

Those involved in the sexual abuse and coverup tarnishes ALL of Christianity, and supplies more ammo to the skeptics of the Christian faith. There are people in the world who will not to Christ for for salvation because of these perverts and liars. This will be on them when they're judged.

NamerOfStars · Answer

"Well, that sucks." . Not sure what you expect our thoughts to be, otherwise. Golly, it's almost rike sexual repression is a BAD thing!

Hmm, maybe "Didn't you Protestant gits learn ANYTHING from the Catholic sexual abuse scandals?".

laurieluvsit · Answer

Not a bit surprised.

When you are told you can't have sex it makes you want it even more, which is human nature for many.

That doesn't make it right but it explains why complete celibacy can lead to destruction.

Anonymous · Answer

Om not surprised. When there are no accountability or safe checks in place in large organisations this happens. Examples include the Catholic Church, boy scouts, schools, mental institutions, various religious, various sports organisations (see girls us Olympic gymnastic team)

Guy13 · Answer

Proof positive that man is fallen and sinful and in desperate need of both Jesus the Christ as Savior and Lord….

And, the media is already trying to shape election narrative and choice…. Last time Catholics. This time Baptist. Next time Reformed crowd.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I didn't know that was anything new! I started hearing about back in the `70's! The vatican's been abusing children in their secret sub-basements for who knows HOW long!! I guess that's why they're so secret!
For that matter, Hitlary and loads of other politicians and movie stars have been doing for possibly 100 years, already!

John_Doesnt · Answer

I'm not surprised in anyway. Every religion is used to abuse people and I'm not surprised that the Baptists are sexually abusing people just like the Catholic priests. We already know that Mormons sexually abuse people and they're the newest Christian religion. Scientologists sexually abuse people, too.
And then there's the Muslims who treat women like garbage.

We need to abandon religion altogether because nothing good comes out of it.

Subarugirl · Answer

It doesn't surprise me churches have been covering up and sweeping sexual abuse under the rug for hundreds and hundreds of years.

normalice · Answer

Seems like the sort something pretty much everyone should have known already. And those who didn't will continue to pretend not to.

ODC2112 · Answer

Those who moralize others always have something to hide. Southern Baptists are no exception. Those who yell at the pedophile are often the pedophiles themselves, as they project themselves onto others.

jshm2 · Answer

Just White Christians doing White Christian things.  You don't think it's a coincidence people going nuts and shooting the country up, do you?

Anonymous · Answer

God forgives but the law doesn't.

I think it's "interesting" that the preacher bared his soul but left out the fact that one of his "adulteries" was with a 16 year old girl from the congregation. Then when the now adult girl and her now husband confronted him about it during this. He eventually came clean about it. The congregation clapped presumably because he confessed his sins. But now the police are investigating it for the criminal act that it was/is.

Anonymous · Answer

I don’t care
You people walk around Calling yourself good people because your some Christian.
Then when something like this happens You say something like. The pastor was under the influence of the Devil.
And the current continues to flow.
🖕

Philyouup · Answer

Any organization with a power structure has diddlers under their protection. Religious orders are not exempt because religion has nothing to do with god, it has to do with power and protecting it.

Agape93 · Answer

Why is anybody surprised that Christian priests are sexual abusers?

Paige90 · Answer

There are bad apples in every religious denomination. 99% are good but there's always that1% that gives the rest of the people bad names.

Slartybartfast · Answer

Like this is a surprise, SB's are almost as bad as evangelicals.

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

Whenever I read about sexual abuse being rife among religious groups or sects. Irrespective of what religion it might be, I am NEVER in the least bit surprised!

KarinMcDonald · Answer

It goes along with religion. The more repressed people are, the more they rebel and do what they're not supposed to do.

OpenClose · Answer

They're a conservative evangelical denomination of Christianity. This is less of a discovery and more like verification of the inevitable.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Surprised? Most pastors are devils. It's right in the Bible. Jesus warned to beware of such leaders he called wolves in sheep's clothing.

007kingifrit · Answer

according to the dept of ed in a 2015 study 1 in 10 students are molested in the public ed system the media just focuses on churches even thought heir abuse rates are lower than other institutions

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Not surprised, it’s religion. look at any religious group and you will find the same stuff.

Twalli · Answer

And people wonder why I don't trust religious institutions

Pterodon · Answer

Nothing compared to the centuries of Catholic abuses

slatyb · Answer

Duuuh. Of course this has been happening, just as it has happened in every authoritarian group ever.

OldWorldOrder · Answer

God is getting His Justice by shrinking their churches and shrinking baptist families.

Dargil · Answer

Can you believe ANYTHING the New York Times publishes?

CloudMassacre · Answer

I assumed everyone’s known about that for longer than anyone has been alive

jamesgoldman · Answer

Shocking... sexual abuse and the church whoda think it

Iron_Man · Answer

My church is not like that if it was I would Find another Baptist Church

zagor · Answer

Not surprising. Lots of deviants drape their deeds in religion.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Not surprised. Religion has a history of sweeping things under the rug.

Flower7 · Answer

I don’t find it very surprising.

888theGreat · Answer

From the New York Times, a liberal organization that wants religions outlawed.

driven159 · Answer

We should not give are souls to bad people or money

grega239 · Answer

Ahh yes the ever virtuous church. Examples of Unyielding morals

JamesRandiDebates · Answer

Anybody who didn't realize this was going on has been living with their head buried in the sand.

Anonymous · Answer

Not reading a report that’s behind a paywall or some other crap.

genericname85 · Answer

just standard christianity stuff.

Kaneki05 · Answer

Summary of religion in a nutshell.

JustinTheGreat · Answer

Are we supposed to be surprised?

MrTaboo · Answer

Now do Hollywood and D. C.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Well, that's disturbing.

OddBeMe · Answer

I'm shocked! Shocked!

EnglishEuropean · Answer

Godbothering perverts.

anylolone · Answer

Well, that's what a commune is all about.

fireforeffect · Answer

Satan has invaded their church.

goaded · Answer

Surprise! (Not.)

jimmy2 · Answer

It's sad

jahaims · Answer

Not surprised

What are your thoughts about the horror of widespread sexual abuse and coverup now being revealed in the Southern Baptist Church?

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