Thread by @JoLuehmann

“I sense anger toward the church and you shouldn’t speak against the church but heal your anger” - Someone in my DMs tonight.

Of course I have anger toward the #church.

A thread

(1)

There are thousands of open, closed and yet to be discovered cases of sexual abuse by pastors and church leaders. That’s just in one denomination. And it isn’t the Catholics I am talking about. Most of the abusers are still working as pastors or being promoted.

(2)

LGBTQ+ ppl continue to be psychologically, emotionally and physically abused in churches. I’ve seen countless pastors manipulate and exploit vulnerable ppl and their finances. Churches teach parents to abuse their kids causing severe trauma many adults can never heal.
(3)

Manipulation, fear, shame and guilt are commonly dispensed inside of churches at the expense of people’s mental and physical health. All in the name of God. (4)

Many churches make communities worse by taking over buildings and participating in gentrification. The church supports sexist, misogynistic, outdated ideas about women, marriage, sexuality and relationships, actively harming families and individuals.
(5)

These aren’t even 1/2 the issues I have w/the church today. Let’s not even address the historical church and all the unrepentant abuse and oppression at its hand.

I will speak against the church as long as the church continues to abuse ppl. (6)

And I can hear the “not all churches” coming already. Churches not doing harm are just as angry as I am, screaming at the top of their lungs at the Church as well. (7)

So long as there are “1st class” xtians (clergy and leaders), any hierarchies, oppressive theology that make groups of ppl less than, a bigger concern to protect the brand of Christianity than humans being harmed, (8)

an unwillingness to admit Christianity’s complicit behavior w/oppressive systems in the entirety of its existence... the church WILL DO harm and I’ll generalize (9)

Jesus spoke harshly about this, he was angry about this, he flipped tables, made a whip and called powerful religious people names. Is acting like this Jesus ppl claim to follow not exactly what we ought to do?

(10)

Only 2 reasons you would not be angry w/the Church:

1-You are privileged enough that you don’t have to pay attention.
2-You benefit from the abusive system

So yes, I am angry. Anger is the only proper response to the church. You not being angry should seriously concern you.