tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post4578542062629624101..comments2024-03-17T16:21:14.907-05:00Comments on Stop Baptist Predators: It's not about sexChrista Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-15703950884263035192008-03-10T17:10:00.000-05:002008-03-10T17:10:00.000-05:00Anon: It grieves me to say this, but there is abso...Anon: It grieves me to say this, but there is absolutely no reason to think that the incidence of clergy child molestation is any less among Southern Baptists than among Catholics. And, at this point in time, it appears that the Catholics are at least attempting to address it (however inconsistently) while Southern Baptists are still mostly just sitting on the sidelines.<BR/><BR/>Clergy sex abuse is a problem in all faith communities, but it's how they deal with it that really matters. You might want to try the Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians or Lutherans - they still have clergy abuse also - no one is immune - but these groups are at least attempting to implement oversight systems to deal with it.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-85219285885430826502008-03-10T15:49:00.000-05:002008-03-10T15:49:00.000-05:00Hello Christa,I have left the Catholic Church afte...Hello Christa,<BR/><BR/>I have left the Catholic Church after thirty-fives years as a devout Catholic. The abuse of women sent me into a tear,but the evidences of child abuse caused me to have nightmares. I raised two sons who are still devout Catholics. I was abused by a relative as a child and my heart aches for those people who have suffered the same thing! <BR/><BR/>I have been attending a Southern Baptist Church for two years now,but have not been led to be baptized yet.<BR/><BR/> A Christian maleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-59651277781022250382008-03-02T10:32:00.000-06:002008-03-02T10:32:00.000-06:00Elisabeth: Welcome here. I hope you'll check in of...Elisabeth: Welcome here. I hope you'll check in often. I absolutely agree with you - there is no weapon more powerful than the word of God when it's used by a predator. And that weapon has been used to inflict terrible wounds on countless vulnerable adults, just as it has on kids.<BR/><BR/>I understand completely about the "problems reading God's word." Just when I least expect it, there are sometimes passages or verses that open up trap doors that have me falling down dark tunnels to memories or feelings that are truly awful. So reading the Bible winds up being a tricky thing.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-84914941131402659732008-03-01T22:18:00.000-06:002008-03-01T22:18:00.000-06:00I just now read this post. I was abused by a Bapti...I just now read this post. I was abused by a Baptist minister when I was an adult, 23, at a vulnerable point of my life.<BR/><BR/>What you wrote, Christa, about the use of God's word as a weapon, how you can't see it as a weapon, the authority of a pastor, and how can you run from your own faith, that is all so very true. This is true whether a person was abused as an adolescent, or as an adult.<BR/><BR/>I still have problems reading God's word.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14764962887542099106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-39886597324904758332008-01-16T15:53:00.000-06:002008-01-16T15:53:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-29114020454791471392008-01-16T15:51:00.000-06:002008-01-16T15:51:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-89141080969866473902008-01-15T16:25:00.000-06:002008-01-15T16:25:00.000-06:00Great point, Phyllis! If Nashville can keep track ...Great point, Phyllis! If Nashville can keep track of how many people get baptized in Baptist churches each year, why can't they keep track of how many people get sexually abused in Baptist churches? And if they can keep track of how much money each church sends to the Cooperative Program, why can't they keep track of how many ministers have been credibly accused of sexual abuse?Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-51131523471657372642008-01-15T15:35:00.000-06:002008-01-15T15:35:00.000-06:00Dear Anonymous,Christa's website and blog are abou...Dear Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>Christa's website and blog are about SBC predators. She was raised Southern Baptist and was abused by a Southern Baptist. Many of the people who respond can relate to what she says because they, too, had a similar childhood.<BR/><BR/>I take offense to what you said, "I like the idea of having a site that keeps up with offenders, but I would encourage that it not paint all Southern Baptists too broadly. I must say that there does seem to be extra hostility towards Baptists. This is surprising to me, because as you know Baptists are autonomous..." <BR/><BR/>You know the "autonomous" thing is a bunch of crap. They might be autonomous but they still all give to the same mission board and cooperative program. I am sure the big guys in Nashville have a list of every member of every church because they keep up with who gives the most along with how many people are baptized in a year. So, I think they could keep a list of known predators and those people who have been accused of wrong doing.<BR/><BR/>It is just a crazy, SBC cop out. They don't want to see the truth, they do not want to admit the truth, and they want to appear as perfect.<BR/><BR/>Also, concerning what you said about churches checking references. Many times it doesn't matter if they do because the church they would be contacting are so glad to get rid of that minister and "his" problems, they would not say anything bad about him anyway. I have been in churches who wanted to get rid of someone and would not say anything. And I have been in churches who got stuck with the guy whose former church did not want him. Why will no one choose to stand up and be accountable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-84938465616184906042008-01-14T18:53:00.000-06:002008-01-14T18:53:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-83314683794013929182008-01-14T17:49:00.000-06:002008-01-14T17:49:00.000-06:00anonymous: StopBaptistPredators is an arm of SNAP,...anonymous: StopBaptistPredators is an arm of SNAP, and SNAP reaches out to those abused by religious authority figures, regardless of denomination. However, at this point in time, most other major faith groups in this country (including Methodists and Presbyterians whom you mention) are doing more to proactively combat the problem of clergy abuse than are Southern Baptists. There needs to be some independent review board to which victims can report abuse with some reasonable expectation of being objectively heard. That doesn't exist for Southern Baptists. Such a board would not need to exercise actual "authority" over local congregations, but it could serve to provide them with objective information. It could also serve to minister to the wounded.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-64781774372534491142008-01-14T17:25:00.000-06:002008-01-14T17:25:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-33220312739089562972008-01-14T17:24:00.000-06:002008-01-14T17:24:00.000-06:00Dear Christa, I am very sorry for all that you exp...Dear Christa, I am very sorry for all that you experienced. I can tell you that, I for one, think these type of acts if proven should be considered death penalty offenses. I like the idea of having a site that keeps up with offenders, but I would encourage that it not paint all Southern Baptists too broadly. I hope that your site can help provide more awareness and accountability about predators (Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterian, etc...) I must say that there does seem to be extra hostility towards Baptists. This is surprising to me, because as you know Baptists are autonomous, and are run like other denominations that keep files on ministers, give them their positions, and control where they go. The local churches are responsible for calling their ministers. Many times they are the ones who don't even call former churches or check references. Maybe, your site can help raise those standards, without damaging those who are doing the right things. Best wishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-20196041597820374462008-01-14T13:10:00.000-06:002008-01-14T13:10:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-59387705113372987952008-01-14T13:08:00.000-06:002008-01-14T13:08:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-12096980555845257032008-01-14T12:52:00.000-06:002008-01-14T12:52:00.000-06:00Watching: I will delete every comment of yours as ...Watching: I will delete every comment of yours as soon as I see it. I will not even bother to read them to assess whether or not they might be appropriate. Too many of them aren't. So you are wasting your time here. Please have the decency to honor my request and do not return to my blog.<BR/><BR/>Texaspastor: I agree with you that so much of the theological and political infighting of the SBC just seems like a distraction. Compared to the urgent need to protect kids against clergy predators, all the debates about Calvinism, Armenianism, private prayer language, etc. seem like debate about how many angels are on the head of a pin. If the leaders of this denomination continue to turn a blind eye to the predators in their midst, and continue to fail so miserably at protecting kids, what meaning can all the rest of what they profess possibly hold?Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-16497336060221261402008-01-14T12:28:00.000-06:002008-01-14T12:28:00.000-06:00Since this one comment did make it through, I do n...Since this one comment did make it through, I do not mind at all responding to it. To Watchinghisstory: First of all, if you have felt insulted, that was certainly not my intent. Second, I would not dare try to intimidate you. Your cause is your own and you are entitled to your views. <BR/><BR/>With that out of the way let me then say this: If you did, in fact, feel insulted, you have misunderstood the point that I was attempting to make. My point is the same one that others posting comments on this blog have stated. This is a forum for those affected by clergy sexual abuse. It is not a forum for the actual or perceived flaws in the theology of any church or minister. To that end, I was simply trying to point out that the post that you referenced on your own blog was concerned with teachings against homosexuality and SG's authority to proclaim such teachings. What I am saying to you is that the abuse that took place at Bellevue, my own abuse, and that of countless others is not about homosexual or heterosexual behavior. As I said, my abuser preyed on both boys and girls. It is, as you too acknowleged, about power and control. <BR/><BR/>Finally, let me say that while this blog concentrates on the stories of Baptist abuse, we all know that this unspeakable horror is not merely limited to the SBC (SNAP was started by those in the Roman Catholic Church). With this in mind, discussions here are about stopping abuse, raising awareness and aiding survivors. It is not about reformed theology, Calvinism, Armenianism or any other theological point of view, and it should not be used to promote one particular viewpoint. My own sympathy and empathy extends to survivors from all denominations, faiths and yes, even to those who choose not to believe in God at all. The fact is, abuse is still wrong. It is a crime.<BR/><BR/>It is theological and political endfighting within the SBC that have too long diverted attention away from protecting children from predators. Further, it has diverted attention from our primary goal of communicating the transforming power of the character of Christ to an unbelieving world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-10094261927858051092008-01-14T11:48:00.000-06:002008-01-14T11:48:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-13210899964314189522008-01-14T10:27:00.000-06:002008-01-14T10:27:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-43035436504617685602008-01-14T09:28:00.000-06:002008-01-14T09:28:00.000-06:00gmommy: Watching obviously didn't take your advice...gmommy: Watching obviously didn't take your advice. He tried to post 11 more comments here overnight. Fortunately, I turned on comment moderation right before I went to bed, and that blocked all his junk. But I really don't like turning on comment moderation. If any of you more experienced bloggers have any advice on how to deal with this kind of thing, or if any of you people in Memphis have advice on how to deal with Watching, please drop me an email.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-80008204550651045562008-01-13T22:47:00.000-06:002008-01-13T22:47:00.000-06:00Watching, I wish you had some healthy boundaries. ...Watching,<BR/> I wish you had some healthy boundaries. I know you believe you are right about everything you say...and say and say.<BR/><BR/>Could you please be adult enough to realize that you have been offensive and confusing yet you continue to post the same thing over and over on every blog you can find.<BR/><BR/>As much as you believe you have a profound message to share, you are not making a positive impact in your efforts. <BR/>You have become a nuisance and it is not because of your intended message. <BR/>What good are the revelations you feel are so important if you don't communicate anything other than disrespect for others, unscriptural declarations, and what appears to be very unstable behavior???<BR/>If you truly believe you have something that needs to be shared, please step back and regroup.<BR/><BR/>What and how you are communicating isn't working at all.<BR/>Take a break and rethink your message and approach, please.<BR/><BR/>You come off like the young boy with pie on his face ..and I hate for you to continue this way since it is not your intent.<BR/><BR/>Please leave all the blogs alone for a while and think about the message you would like to share.<BR/>OR... continue like you have been, and never get your message across to anyone. <BR/><BR/>And remember, Christa's blog is about sexual abuse by ministers.....totally different forum from the other blogs you have been haunting.<BR/>PLEASE don't respoond to me.gmommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11713588262748876624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-79200788637282387752008-01-13T21:29:00.000-06:002008-01-13T21:29:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-54091515422384927612008-01-13T21:27:00.000-06:002008-01-13T21:27:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-27293896479353867972008-01-13T21:24:00.000-06:002008-01-13T21:24:00.000-06:00Watchinghistory: Over the past few months, I have ...Watchinghistory: Over the past few months, I have deleted dozens of your comments. Please get off my blog and please don't come back. Your comments are too often too offensive to be appropriate for my site.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-54988667447792332042008-01-13T21:19:00.000-06:002008-01-13T21:19:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.WatchingHISstoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339668990091164802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-41219450955447003162008-01-13T20:49:00.000-06:002008-01-13T20:49:00.000-06:00Thank you for your comment texaspastor. I deleted ...Thank you for your comment texaspastor. I deleted watchinghistory's comment to which you were responding, but your comment stands well on its own. And thanks for suggesting to watchinghistory that he "stick to his own blog."Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.com