Why Aren’t Christians Outraged by Sexual Abuse?

Why Aren’t Christians Outraged by Sexual Abuse? May 2, 2017

Samanthafieldby Samantha Field cross posted from her blog Samantha P Field.com

Because I wrote an article for Relevant a while ago (β€œWhat Christians Get Wrong about Sexual Abuseβ€œ), every so often I get e-mails from their editors asking for pitches on specific topics. This week, they asked for an article titled β€œWhy Aren’t More Christians Outraged by Sexual Harassment Scandals?”, referencing the recent firing of Bill O’Reilly for sexually harassing women at Fox News. I pitched them something, and they published it yesterday.

You can read the whole thing here. I’m a little annoyed at Relevantβ€˜s habit of sanitizing my writing. They removed me quoting Trump’s β€œgrab them by the pussy” line, as well as the word rapacious and various other things. But … considering my first draft included the line β€œwomen are just supposed to be animated sex dolls that occasionally do the dishes” (which I cut in later drafts, upon reflection) I may be just a little out of touch with what an evangelical audience can tolerate. Possibly. Have I mentioned lately how much I love you all for reading me even when I’m horrifyingly honest?

The comments so far have been, ehm, interesting. There’s lots of lovely people saying surprisingly lovely things, and a few people who are … goddess bless them they’re just so clueless.

The semester is really close to wrapping up– my last item is due May 5, and then I have the summer off. Sticky notes for post ideas are piling up on my desk, and I’m excited to get back to that. For now, I’m going to enjoy a lone day off and play some Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.

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Two weeks ago, the Leadership Journal ran an article written by a convicted sex offender that described his sexual abuse of a minor as a consensual affair.

Last week, former students of Bob Jones University came forward with claims that university administrators told students things like β€œWe have to find the sin in your life that caused your rape.”

A few months ago, when Bob Jones temporarily suspended a third-party investigation of their policies and actions concerning sexual violence, the decision garnered national attentionβ€”attention that led to articles exposing other Christian colleges with similar problems.

The Department of Education is investigating Cedarville University for possible Title IX violations.

Victims of sexual violence at Patrick Henry College were dismissed by the administrationβ€”one was allegedly threatened with expulsion if she reported her attack to the police.

Why does this happen?

Why does it seem as though conservative Christian colleges might have a pattern of siding with sexual predators over victims?

While most are aware of the bleak realities of physical abuse, the damage caused by emotional, verbal, spiritual, and marital sexual abuse go largely unrecognized.

What the past few weeks have revealed is that many of us don’t understand the nature of abuseβ€”or abusers. While most are aware of the bleak realities of physical abuse, the damage caused by emotional, verbal, spiritual, and marital sexual abuse go largely unrecognized. It is not unusual for pastors in counseling situations to see these other forms of abuse as β€œmarital issues”…..

You can read the rest of the article at The Relevant

moreRead more from Samantha Field

The Women’s March is a Culture War

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Samantha grew up in the homeschool, patriarchy, quiverful, and fundamentalist movements, and experienced first-hand the terror and manipulation of spiritual abuse. She is now married to an amazing, gentle man who doesn’t really get what happened to her but loves her anyway. With him by her side and the strength of God’s promises, she is slowly healing. Right now Samantha is attending seminary.

She blogs at SamanthaPField.com


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