The worst pain for a survivor is the institutional betrayal - losing everyone, finding out the abuse might have been prevented or stopped, and that you are powerless to save others.
SBC Messengers, hear are some things you desperately need to hear:
SBC Messengers, hear are some things you desperately need to hear:
Everything that Dr. Moore laid out in his letter was preventable - the abuse, mistreatment, bullying, intimidation, defamation of survivors - it was all preventable.
sbcvoices.com/russell-moore-…
sbcvoices.com/russell-moore-…
It was preventable because this type of behavior has been long-known and reported on. Survivors and advocates have been sounding the alarm on these exact dynamics for decades.
@ChristaBrown777 wrote an entire book on it. I've recommended it before, I recommend it again.
amazon.com/This-Little-Li…
amazon.com/This-Little-Li…
In fact, for years, @ChristaBrown777 ran a website tracking baptist abusers AND the SBC leaders covering up for them. I found it a decade ago while doing research to advocate on behalf of church survivors.
It's not a secret. It has never been a secret.
stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm
It's not a secret. It has never been a secret.
stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm
If you are shocked by the content of Dr. Moore's letter, I understand. But take this time now to find out the history.
Ask how these leaders could behave this way and KNOW they would not be stopped or caught. What gave them the confidence to act in that manner?
Ask how these leaders could behave this way and KNOW they would not be stopped or caught. What gave them the confidence to act in that manner?
The answer is that they could speak that way, take those steps, retaliate and control, because history had long taught them that it was safe to do so. That no one would care enough to speak out, vote against them, or stop them.
These leaders could behave this way because history has taught them they can operate with impunity. That survivor and advocate voices would be quickly maligned as "angry", "bitter", "unreasonable", and by sidelining those voices, they could do as they pleased.
SBC's theology of autonomy and representative-based structure is intended to create a system with extra accountability - where power isn't concentrated in a few, but rather placed on the consciences of all. But. . .
That only works if Messengers are seeking out knowledge of what is taking place, and insisting on mechanisms of accountability and transparency.
Unless and until that happens, history will continue to repeat itself.
But it can be done better, if you so choose.
Unless and until that happens, history will continue to repeat itself.
But it can be done better, if you so choose.
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