Wednesday, June 11, 2008

It's no home run

Outgoing Southern Baptist president Frank Page called the executive committee’s report on sexual abuse “a home run.”

He’s talking about the report where they said the denomination shouldn't create a "database to help churches identify predators or establish an office to field abuse claims.”

And Page calls THAT “a home run”???

Do you think Page has ever played baseball???

Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows that, if you want to hit a home run, you have to first hit the ball. I don’t think these guys can even see the ball, much less hit it. And they sure as heck haven’t hit a homer.

These guys can’t keep their eye on the ball of protecting kids because they’re too focused on protecting themselves and the institution.

In fact, I don’t think these guys have even stepped up to the plate yet. They aren’t going to bat for clergy sex abuse victims. They haven’t even kicked the dirt. They’re still sitting in their comfortable little dugout of “autonomy,” aren’t they?

But hey - I like baseball. So let’s keep talking about it.

Imagine that guy in the outfield. Do you see him? His knees are a little bent. He’s shifting his weight. He’s watching. He’s waiting. He’s got a wad of tobacco bulging in his cheek.

Next thing you know, he’s hocking a loogie onto the grass. It’s a brown, ugly, oozy loogie.

That’s the sort of image Frank Page’s “home run” remark conjures for me.

But hey – don’t hold Page’s remark against baseball. I like baseball.

Some people even think the word “loogie” derived from the name of Lou Gehrig, because of baseball players’ habit of spitting.

Lou Gehrig still holds the all-time record for the most grand slam homeruns. He was “the pride of the Yankees,” and his number 4 was the first number retired by any pro team in any sport.

I wish Lou Gehrig were still around. Maybe he could teach Frank Page a thing or two about what it takes to hit a home run.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the Executive Committee struck out, fouled out, and forfeited the game. If Frank Page thought it was a home run, someone else needs to umpire because that was a bad call.

gmommy said...

I think they never even got out of the dug out...never got off the bench.
They just talked a little smack...

gmommy said...

The Baptists are sure showing their true corrupt colors...

Johnny Hunt"s resume problem...
pretty bold!

First Baptist Jackson's pastor has a book out telling other ministers what NOT to do...the problem is his personal life and actions line up with all his "do nots".

Morris Chapman says (to great applause)that if anyone says the Baptists aren't doing all they can to protect children from clergy sexual predators they are liars....

wow...the show must go on!!!

Surely people are opening their eyes to the wealthy but rancid elephant in the SBC room!

Anonymous said...

Christa,

Discussion going on at Monday Morning Insight:

http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/southern_baptists_say_no_to_sexual_predator_list/

I made them aware of your site. Please keep up the good work.

Bruce Gerencser

gmommy said...

Bruce,
I can't figure out how to get to the 11 comments.

Anonymous said...

Try

http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php

The post is on the front page and then click comments at the bottom of the post.

hope this helps

Anonymous said...

The Exec. Comm. recommended contacting the law enforcement when clergy sexual abuse occurs in the church. I contacted a lawyer who advised that the police not be contacted first because the police would not want to lose their overtime provided by the church. This particular megachurch used police officers for traffic and security control. The lawyer felt an unbiased and complete investigation would not be done.

I went to another lawyer who also advised against contacting the police first. He shared a true story of a friend who witnessed an event where the police assaulted an innocent person but comrades who were not even present testified in court that they were there and it did not happen. This lawyer told me that ministers and police are alike in that "they protect their own". I am sorry to say we have seen it in the church.

There is much more that can be done to protect the innocent. We have seen too many instances of cover-up and denial. If Morris Chapman thinks he is doing all he can, perhaps he is in the wrong position, as are many others.

keepinon

Christa Brown said...

keepinon: Welcome to this blog and thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to know you've contacted a couple lawyers. In brochures, state and national denominational leaders tell churches to contact lawyers when confronted with an abuse allegation, and so the victim should also contact lawyers.

Bruce: Thanks for sharing the link to the MondayMorningInsight blog - some good comments there - including your own.