CHRISTIANS NEED TO STOP IGNORING SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CHURCH

Christians Need To Stop Ignoring Sexual Abuse In The Church

May 25, 2017 by Will Maule - HELLO CHRISTIAN

The stats speak for themselves. Sexual abuse is prevalent amongst Christian communities. It is a travesty and a tragedy. And it is time to start speaking up for justice. 

"As a friend and sister to sexual assault survivors, two of whom were assaulted in Christian environments, I’ve seen many Christians explain away sexual assault when it happens within their communities," writes Heather Calliri at Relevant. 

Too often, we see abusers as 'monsters' who are easily spotted. And, of course, we don't believe we know any people who harbor dark desires. Well, we are wrong. 

"With half of American women experiencing some kind of sexual violence in their lifetime, sexual sin is common," highlights Calliri. "It happens within our churches, families, media outlets and governments. Its perpetrators are often people we admire."

"It’s only by abandoning naiveté that we’ll invite justice in."

We cannot go on implicitly justifying abuse as part of the "sin nature" we all possess. Now, this is true, but too often it comes close to excusing such heinous behavior, and prevents true justice from being invoked. 

"If well-liked perpetrators offer the merest repentance, many Christians are eager to uncritically attribute their “mistakes” to sin nature," writes Calliri. 

"We’re called to a higher, more sacrificial posture towards our community’s sin."

"Have we focused on grace for perpetrators at the expense of victims?"

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