1/ So we at the @startelegram did a thing. We dug into independent fundamental Baptist churches and found hundreds of abuse cases (this is the beginning of a thread, sorry not sorry) #churchtoo #MeToo star-telegram.com/living/religio…
2/ Not only are abusers protected, but they are quite literally shuffled across the country by other pastors thanks to a network of colleges and churches in the movement star-telegram.com/living/religio…
3/ I spoke to over 200 people for this story. I owe them a tremendous debt. Some used their names. Some, still terrified of the church they attended, asked to remain anonymous. But all of them spoke because they wanted this to stop star-telegram.com/living/religio…
4/ Listen to their stories here, because no words of mine can do them justice: star-telegram.com/living/religio…
5/ And to be clear, this is in no way meant to imply all of Christianity is bad. Nor does it imply all independent fundamental pastors condone this. Take a look at @staceyshiflett, who is a pastor speaking out against coverups.
6/ This project also could not have been pulled off without a crazy good team. Thanks to @Johanningmeier, @SteveCoffman1 @kcnewsfan for the countless edits and picking over every word. This page looks so badass because of @LeahBecerra.
7/ The only reason you see it on social media is thanks to @JordanLRay and @GuerraCline. And the crazy good video work is thanks to
@Magnusichi, @ToddJKFeeback @ChrisOchsnerKC and @KCStarShelly. And all thanks to FOIA goddess @KaleyJohnson6 for her tireless research.
@Magnusichi, @ToddJKFeeback @ChrisOchsnerKC and @KCStarShelly. And all thanks to FOIA goddess @KaleyJohnson6 for her tireless research.
8/ We know this is an ongoing story. So reach out. My DMs are open. My secure email is sarahsmith@myfastmail.com (or use ssmith@star-telegram.com). We're listening. [end]
