tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post1287965881447505259..comments2024-03-17T16:21:14.907-05:00Comments on Stop Baptist Predators: Actions speak louder than wordsChrista Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-22356662045022798732009-06-25T13:21:29.711-05:002009-06-25T13:21:29.711-05:00Goodness me! Someone sounds like they got BOTH han...Goodness me! Someone sounds like they got BOTH hands full of stones! <br /><br />Abraham Maslow wisely observed: "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." If we're going to get through this serious problem together, we're all going to need to develop NEW tools and skills. <br /><br />Insighting fear is not a motivator to change anyone's behavior let alone an entire denominational leadership! Just look at open heart surgery patient studies! How many stick to the trifecta strategy of diet, exercise and stress less than two years post op? <br /><br />Inflamatory name calling and Cheney-esque fear mongering will do little, except perhaps to help a few lawyers and child advocates continue to pimp CSA survivors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-27948781588398497212009-06-25T06:57:58.691-05:002009-06-25T06:57:58.691-05:00The Christian thing to do would be to minister to ...The Christian thing to do would be to minister to the wounded. How will Baptist leaders ever begin to understand the horror of clergy sex abuse if they won't even get down off their high donkeys to hear the cries of the wounded, to see the extent of those wounds, and to minister to them?<br /><br />The Christian - and decent - and human thing to do would be to protect the young and vulnerable. Experts recognize that sexual predators almost always have more than one victim and that they often use positions of trust to gain access to their victims. There is nothing Christian about a system so void of accountability that clergy predators can church-hop with ease to new and unsuspecting congregations.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-68252584422649518862009-06-25T05:53:09.277-05:002009-06-25T05:53:09.277-05:00Maybe Baptist leaders have reflected enough on thi...Maybe Baptist leaders have reflected enough on this topic and recognize that as human persons, they're flawed, imperfect and at times greivious sinners. As a Chritian institution, they look to the Scriptures for direction on how to cope with their own deep sinfulness and shame. <br /><br />And so, when the wrong doing of the woman caught in adultery was exposed by the lawyers and religious leaders of the day, Jesus challenged their self righteous (albeit legal) actions with a new standard. "You without sin, cast the first stone." The crowd dropped their stones, and went back to their homes. And Jesus, seeing that no one stood there any longer there to condemn her said "nor do I condemn you." <br /><br />Were I to take any action on this complex and troubling topic, it would be to foster understanding and forgiveness. It's the Christian thing to do.Francisco Bernardonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-49994410483304187182009-06-23T21:51:13.790-05:002009-06-23T21:51:13.790-05:00I'm not condemning her for her work (even thou...I'm not condemning her for her work (even though I think sometimes it is too anti-Southern Baptist). I just think there are other places her efforts would be more rewarded.<br /><br />June 23, 2009 11:16 AM<br /><br />What do you expect, exactly? A big sorry from Paige Patterson from stage? A press release admitting everything? Get real. Trust me, folks are starting to get it...slowly but it is happening.<br /><br />And besides, the leaders most likely will not change. But the people in the pews can be made aware of the kind of leadership they have.And folks vote with their pocketbooks in the SBC.<br /><br />Trust me, today at the convention, the theme was really: Money. It was mentioned in almost every single speech...er, sermon.<br /><br /><br />How many years did it take Wilberforce?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-11424782422198315172009-06-23T14:07:27.441-05:002009-06-23T14:07:27.441-05:00Excellent letter, Christa. Keep plugging away -- t...Excellent letter, Christa. Keep plugging away -- the constant pressure of the ocean's waves and tides eventually breaks even the hardest rocks into sand.Junksterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14422651080120306816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-32082829740949911102009-06-23T13:38:16.334-05:002009-06-23T13:38:16.334-05:00To Anon 11:16 - I think the ones who are "ant...To Anon 11:16 - I think the ones who are "anti-Southern Baptist" are the Southern Baptist leaders themselves. The real Southern Baptists are the congregants, the people in the pews who faithfully come to church, participate in ministry, give of their tithes, and serve the Lord in their everyday lives. <br /><br />What Christa is doing is actually pro-Southern Baptist! <br /><br />The question I have is this: why is it that the Southern Baptist leadership is continually reluctant to protect the flock? They would rather protect sex offending pastors than women and children. Actions DO speak louder than words!<br /><br />Sharon RoseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-26803127008359380232009-06-23T11:16:28.836-05:002009-06-23T11:16:28.836-05:00I'm not condemning her for her work (even thou...I'm not condemning her for her work (even though I think sometimes it is too anti-Southern Baptist). I just think there are other places her efforts would be more rewarded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-1827841207221317022009-06-23T10:42:08.224-05:002009-06-23T10:42:08.224-05:00Wasting her time? Gimme a break. Every time wrong-...Wasting her time? Gimme a break. Every time wrong-doing is exposed, somewhere wrong-doing is deterred. Christa's efforts may or may not eventually prod the Baptists to act like Christians in child sex cases. But her efforts are already helping to heal deeply wounded survivors and prevent more abuse and pain. For that, she deserves commendation, not condemnation.<br /> <br />Barbara Dorris<br />SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests<br />SNAPdorris@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-82224813468891370562009-06-23T08:34:25.720-05:002009-06-23T08:34:25.720-05:00Why don't you move on to another denomination?...Why don't you move on to another denomination? Seems like all we hear is a bunch of criticism and denegrating of Southern Baptists (which they rightly deserve) but isn't it time to find a place where you can actually get something done. Looks to me like you are wasting your efforts because they sure aren't listening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com