Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

[Johny Joe Hold]

The report about sexual abuse by men leading the Southern Baptist Convention is all over the world. Here at Landover Baptist, we have said repeatedly the Southern Baptist Convention is too liberal. But still, it is within the fraternity of male dominated Bible-believing churches and we must stand with them.

The report about sexual abuse related testimony of many women who claimed to have been physically attacked or sexually harassed by men leading the SBC. It also says these allegations were never treated seriously by those in the denomination who are supposed to look into such things.

When women use terms like "ignored" and "dismissed" about their complaints of sexual harassment, we have to know what really happened. For example, if a woman has the reputation around the office of being a harlot and then complains about sexual harassment, it may not be accurate to say her complaint was ignored. It might have been duly noted and then set aside because of her reputation. That is different than being "ignored."

The report is a ridiculous 300 pages. Hasn't anyone at SBC heard the term "Executive Summary?" I'd suggest that before Landover Baptist jumps on the bandwagon with others condemning the Southern Baptists we reflect on what might have been going on in each of the allegations.

SBC ignored sexual abuse to avoid liability, report claims | Church & Ministries News (christianpost.com)

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

When women use terms like "ignored" and "dismissed" about their complaints of sexual harassment, we have to know what really happened. For example, if a woman has the reputation around the office of being a harlot and then complains about sexual harassment, it may not be accurate to say her complaint was ignored. It might have been duly noted and then set aside because of her reputation. That is different than being "ignored."

When women make accusations that they are being "ignored" and "dismissed" they are usually complaining that no man is paying any attention to them, generally because they are too fat and stupid to be worthy of notice.

The report is a ridiculous 300 pages. Hasn't anyone at SBC heard the term "Executive Summary?"

British "newspaper" The Guardian did summarize the proceedings in the words of August Boto, as follows:

August Boto, a longtime SBC leader, decried the allegations in an email and said that they were a “satanic scheme to completely distract us from evangelism”.

“This whole thing should be seen for what it is,” Boto wrote. “It is a misdirection play.”

Boto added that a survivor and an advocate for the survivor went to the SBC “looking for sexual abuse, and of course, they found it”.

“This is the devil being temporarily successful,” Boto said.

What can one say but "Amen"?

YiC
JL-V

[handmaiden]

Re: Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

All this reminds me of the story of David and Bathsheba. We know that it was Bathsheba's flaunting of her body on the rooftop that caused David to sin by lusting. Then, when he sent for her to take her to his bed, she did not say "no", even though she was married.

2 Samuel 11:2-4

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.


As other Christian writers have pointed out, Bathsheba should have refused David. What could he have done to her for denying him? He was a man who loved The Lord. Would he have locked her up or ordered her to be executed? Doubtful, given his high standard of faith. And if he had, then Bathsheba should have had faith of her own. After all, look what happened to Daniel! He had faith when he was thrown to the lions and Jesus saved him.

Daniel 6:16-22

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.


What these verses teach us is that women are responsible for men's "urges" and God will protect a person from harm if they are strong enough in their faith. So, if a woman who claims to have faith suffers from unwanted sexual attention from her pastor, it is her own fault. Now, I realize that these words may seem simplistic, but sometimes the real truths are pretty obvious.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

People shouldn't be too hasty to condemn. There are good people on both sides.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

People shouldn't be too hasty to condemn. There are good people on both sides.

Thank you, Sister Mary. One problem I just discovered is an outside company was hired to investigate the allegations. This company's website does not acknowledge Jesus. Nor, does it admit God placed men and women on earth to fulfill different goals. For women, of course, it is limited to bearing children.

If Southern Baptists had done the study with their own staff, under the supervision of male leadership, the results would have been much better.

Faith-Based Solutions - Guidepost Solutions

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Story: Have We Heard Both Sides

People shouldn't be too hasty to condemn. There are good people on both sides.

Thank you Sister. Yes, we need to be wary of atheists politicizing alleged atrocities to demonize religion. It's ironic because the very worst abuses were done by atheists, or at least people not exactly like us: The Great Purge (USSR), The Cultural Revolution (China), Pol Pot (Canada), Jim Jones (Democrats), Anne Frank (Jews), Barack Obama (Democrats again). Atheism and socialism together have performed more sex crimes than any other religion in history.