For Rachael Denhollander, and Abuse Victims, The Cost of Following Jesus is Apparently Being Silenced, Exiled and then Isolated by His “Followers”… 

The church (lowercase “c”) has a problem with ignoring abuse… [of any kind]

There’s a reason an estimated 10,000 churches will shut down this year. And, It’s not because guys like me are trying to cause division by naming bigotries.

To perpetuate this kind of abuse, by forcing forgiveness, encouraging silence, running smear campaigns, pathologizing or vilifying victims, or turning a blind eye… then, you’re either a sociopath, a psychopath, lazy, cowardice, or really fucking stupid.

She did, and said so well, what many of us haven’t been able to articulate; she painted a clear picture of how, exactly, our Churches have perpetuated not just a poor understanding of theology… but, she went further, and unpacked the mechanics of privileged pastors, institutions, elder boards, and their communities; she uncovered the techniques and abusive tactics used (still, today) to silence oppressed persons [that are otherwise, threatening their institution].

“Church is one of the least safe places to acknowledge abuse because the way it is counseled is, more often than not, damaging to the victim… It is with deep regret that I say the church is one of the worst places to go for help[1].”

— Rachael Denhollander

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice here is injustice everywhere…” And, full disclosure, I’m not really sure what all he meant when he said that, but, I do know that based off of this sentiment, the last place injustice should be ignored, silenced, or dismissed is the Church.

Abuse is abuse is abuse…

I’ll say this: you cannot be both for the liberation of women and then, somehow, against the liberation of POC. 

Similar to patriarchy, racism is also a form of abuse.

As, again, there are more ways than one to inflict abuse; the church has seemed to have perfected the art of systematically institutionalizing hate that shows itself in the form of patriarchy and white supremacy (it’s gone so disgustingly far, that we’ve begun to call it “theology” i.e. an understanding of the nature and character of God); we must resist the temptation of being lost in person and take up the responsibility of what it will cost in order to follow Jesus.

I’M DREAMING OF THE DAY WOMEN SUCH AS RACHAEL DENHOLLANDER AREN’T CONSIDERED “PROPHETIC” FOR SPEAKING UP AND OUT AGAINST ABUSE. I’M DREAMING OF THE DAY COLIN KAEPERNICK ISN’T CONSIDERED “RADICAL” FOR TAKING A KNEE DURING AN ANTHEM THAT USED TO PRAISE THE SLAUGHTER OF RUNAWAY SLAVES.

I’m confident that if we’re able to see the big picture (past, future, and present) without losing sight of what is before us, holding onto truth and keeping our eyes set on the goal our dreams will be actualized.

Questions for discussion below: Is remaining silent on abuse ever excusable? Are individuals considered accomplices for remaining silent or complacent in the face of abuses (of any form)? Where does grace play a role in this? How then, do we differentiate between a costly grace and a cheapened grace? Do you agree or disagree that racism if not abuse, many times has incited abusive tendencies? Why or why not?

Check back on Saturday for my post on “5 Ways a Poor Understanding of Theology Leads to Jesus Being Continuously Nailed to the Cross…” until then, hit me up on Facebook for future and similar “-ish”. 

[screenshots are from the following: CNN and Spotlight]; quotes are taken from Christianity Today; you can read her full interview here]