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Posted on 03/31/2007 3:57:00 PM PDT by narses
The clergy sexual abuse statistics were staggering.
Local reports from angry, hurt and humiliated laypeople were too horrifying to ignore.
So the assembled church leaders decided that they had to say something, they had to call for some kind of action because they were facing a nasty moral crisis.
"We encourage those religious bodies dealing with the tragedy of clergy abuse in their efforts to rid their ranks of predatory ministers," said their June 12 resolution. "We call on civil authorities to punish to the fullest extent of the law sexual abuse among clergy and counselors. ...
"We call on our churches to discipline those guilty of any sexual abuse ... as well as to cooperate with civil authorities in the prosecution of those cases."
Thus, the "messengers" to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention acknowledged that America's largest non-Catholic flock has been hit by waves of clergy sexual abuse affecting untold numbers of women, men, teen-agers and children. The resolution, which passed with little opposition, called for "ministers of the gospel -- whether they are pastors, counselors, educators, missionaries, chaplains or others -- to be above reproach morally, both within the body of Christ and in the larger community."
The intent of is clear. Yet this statement also demonstrates why it will be hard for freewheeling and autonomous Protestant congregations to attack clergy sexual abuse.
While news media have repeatedly focused on abuse among Catholics, Protestant insiders have also long known that many of their own clergy -- especially youth workers and pastors who do counseling -- were breaking the laws of God and man.
"The incidence of sexual abuse by clergy has reached 'horrific proportions,' " according to a 2000 report to the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It noted that studies conducted in the 1980s found that about 12 percent of ministers had "engaged in sexual intercourse with members" and nearly 40 percent had "acknowledged sexually inappropriate behavior."
Sadly, this report added: "Recent surveys by religious journals and research institutes support these figures. The disturbing aspect of all research is that the rate of incidence for clergy exceeds the client-professional rate for both physicians and psychologists."
Where does the buck stop, when sexual abuse hits Protestant pulpits? The Southern Baptist resolution calls on local churches to discipline sex offenders. Yet the most powerful person in modern Protestantism is a successful pastor whose preaching and people skills keep packing people into the pews. Can his own church board truly investigate and discipline that pastor?
Once that question is asked, others quickly follow.
If the board of deacons in a Southern Baptist congregation faced an in-house sex scandal and wanted help, where could it turn? It could seek help from its competition, the circle of churches in its local association. Or it could appeal to its state convention. In some states, "conservative" and "moderate" churches would need to choose between competing conventions linked to these rival Baptist camps. Or could a church appeal for help from the boards and agencies of the 16-million-member national convention?
Everything depends on that local church and everything is voluntary. One more question: What Baptist leader would dare face the liability issues involved in guiding such a process?
"Just think of all the places where this process could go off the rails," said historian Timothy Weber, dean of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary near Chicago. "One church would have to take the initiative to voluntarily report the information on a bad pastor. Then another church would have to voluntarily go through the process of asking for information so that they can screen a pastor that it is thinking about hiring."
Some state conventions might have the staff and know how to create a data bank of information of clergy sexual abuse. But for Baptist leaders to do so, they would risk clashing with their tradition's total commitment to the freedom and the autonomy of the local congregation.
"The fact is," said Weber, "there is no Baptist clearing house for this information -- anywhere. There is no one keeper of the files, nobody out there who has the power to intervene when something goes wrong and people start pointing fingers. There is no there, out there."
If this wasn't intended as Protestant bashing by the Catholics, why did Post 1 have no comments, and Post 2 invite in the Catholic ping list? So when your side starts a fight, don't start crying when the other folks fire back.
In fact, I'm the neutral here, as I find that neither the Catholics nor the Baptists have the most Biblical form of Church government, and would suggest that the problem is best dealt with in a Presbyterian form of government.
Millstones and prison sentences await those who abuse children, why is it not the same for those who hide this abuse?It should be. In the RCC, the financial costs are getting very real, but there ought to be orange cassock's being prepared and there ain't.
See post 10, 11 and 12. Then get back to me. Thanks.
"This is not a Catholic or a Protestant problem it is a sin problem."
In most of the SB Churches I have been in
it's the Pastor that gets abused. :>)
So, narses, being Catholic, this must have you feeling on top of the world. I suppose this is supposed OKAY hmoseuxal priests and nuns from centuries of molestation.
Why am I not suprised that a Catholic would gleefully post this - even if it's NOT TRUE?
Being vindictive, narses, doesn't make two wrongs right - IF any of this is true of Baptists nor does it speak well of you - your INTENT is VERY CLEAR about NON Catholics.
Must be alittle bored ... need to stir the ole pot?
The date is
7/14/2002
It's not 2007. As A Catholic, you must consider this some kind of a spiritual trophy, if true - YEARS AGO. It reminds me of serial rapists who keep something - underwear, bras or other clothing of the victim they've raped. Perhaps this article is a trophy of sorts for the non Catholics you despise.
Either way, all you exhibit by posting an article from 2002, is how UN Christ like you are. Honestly posting a FIVE year old article slamming Protestants isn't becoming to even you, as a non Christian. It's CLEAR what your ugly agenda is. Perhaps someday you will see the light and become a Christian.
And YOU post this on: Posted on 03/31/2007 3:57:00 PM PDT by narses Must be alittle bored ... need to stir the ole pot?
The date is
7/14/2002
It's not 2007. As A Catholic, you must consider this some kind of a spiritual trophy, if true - YEARS AGO. It reminds me of serial rapists who keep something - underwear, bras or other clothing of the victim they've raped. Perhaps this article is a trophy of sorts for the non Catholics you despise.
Either way, all you exhibit by posting an article from 2002, is how UN Christ like you are. Honestly posting a FIVE year old article slamming Protestants isn't becoming to even you, as a non Christian. It's CLEAR what your ugly agenda is. Perhaps someday you will see the light and become a Christian.
Where does the Baptist buck stop? Southern Baptists acknowledge abuse among churches
http://www.leaderu.com/theology/southernbapt.html ^ | 7/14/2002 | Terry Mattingly
Posted on 03/31/2007 3:57:00 PM PDT by narses
Did you notice the DATE of THIS article posted by our dear Catholic, narses?
Yes, she saved this article from 7/14/2002 - true ot not, she gleefully posted FIVE years later - today, 3/31/07.
Now, tell me, convince that she has PURE motives?
LOL!
This is very ugly for even narses to do ... .
Yes, they can. Unfortunately, I've seen it happen in a protestant church...and they were able to investigate and deal with it.
Bigger hierarchies aren't more efficient...see the catholic church for plentiful examples of that where offenders were simply reassigned to other locations where they continued to offend.
Truth doesn't matter to narses.
Where does the Baptist buck stop? Southern Baptists acknowledge abuse among churches
http://www.leaderu.com/theology/southernbapt.html ^ | 7/14/2002 | Terry Mattingly
Posted on 03/31/2007 3:57:00 PM PDT by narses
Notice when narses POSTED THIS - TODAY 3/31/07
Notice when this article is dated 7/14/02
Yup, true or not, dear narses posted this FIVE years later. It isn't true but that wouldnb't matter to narses FIVE YEARS LATER.
narses, Care to explain why you posted a 5 year old article?
We'll wait.
Read the thread. Pay attention to posts 10, 11 and 12.
Calling people names is neither Christian nor allowable conduct at FR. If you have any literacy at all, you'd see why I posted this thread based on the comments here. Your attacks make your abilities in that arena clear.
SO you knew what 10,11 and 12 were going to be
before you posted the thread?
LOL, yes. Is English a foreign tongue for you? Try re-reading posts 10, 11 and 12. Then maybe ask Alex Murphy to break his explanation down into monosyllabic words and maybe draw a diagram.
See http://www.takecourage.org/updatesbc.htm for more and http://www.stopbaptistpredators.org/BaptistHideSeek.html for even more. The issues are cultural, criminal and sinful not denominational.
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