Thou Art The Man

Just recently, I was a part of a lengthy discussion with someone who was of the opinion that to call out abuse in the Independent Fundamental Baptist world is to "finger point" if the number of cases of sexual abuse does not reach a shocking number more than that of other denomination, such as the Catholic Church or even the Jehovah's Witnesses. Their point of view was how can we demand accountability of churches independent of each other, who are without a head organization and sans a numbers count of total members? Unlike mainstream religions, Independent Fundamental Baptist churches do not, and if they do, rarely, have checks and balances on the system and yet, in spite of this, patterns point to systematic abuse. 

If we were to obtain an accurate number, we would have to first create a database of all churches identifying as IFB. I would argue that, wait, we do, in many ways, have just that in numerous forms. There are IFB church directories that do just that for those seeking out an Old-Fashioned, KJV-Only, Bible-Believing, Independent, Fundamental, Baptist body of believers. Then, for those that have navigated through those murky waters, you would know that many, if not most, IFB churches proudly state they are in fact Independent Fundamental Baptist publicly and that murky water becomes much more clearer to the curious eye. Simply put, take a look at that "What We Believe" tab on their websites and you're going to see what I'm referring to. 

I've heard the argument that it's not a "movement," not a "cult," not a denomination, not a you-name-it. But, if you identify as IFB, doesn't that make you still somehow connected, besides the many evangelists that visit each of your churches and host your conferences? There are publishers that print the literature, the books, devotionals and gospel tracts. The colleges connected to each and every one by their roots. And, the K-12 curriculum created by IFB ministries; the same curriculum in your Independent Fundamental Baptist homes that your children are using as schoolwork, other children, the hidden children shipped off to homes for "troubled" children and teens, are using while they experience horrendous abuse. 

But back to the sexual abuse problem...

What number is the key? The 412 victims confirmed by the Star-Telegram's Spirit of Fear investigative report on abuse in IFB churches that dropped in the winter of 2018? Or do we need an even larger count...so, 413? 414? 415? 416? Do you REALLY NEED every church that claims the title of Independent Baptist have a known, convicted sex offender hailing from it to finally be open to the idea of a systematic abuse? (I'm sure, that in order to have a Catholic Church Spotlight moment, they didn't need EVERY parish to record an instance of abuse to get the coverage needed to wake up the greater world to what it is now recognized as a systematic problem.)

The next question is why do we have to have a set number of confirmed cases to warrant an acceptable outcry, to prove that those that say, "Hey, listen up!" aren't "finger pointing," anyway? 

Having been born and raised into adulthood in Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, sermons and Sunday school lessons would dive into a slew of Bible stories, some with varying interpretations that maybe mainstream religions would do so differently. Regardless of the interpretation though, because of the regularity of referencing scripture and the belief in the literal interpretation of it, I still have one of those many stories brought to mind quite often, usually prompted by the randomest of things. I'm honestly not at all a big fan of including doctrine on this blog, unless, of course, it's to point out why those very doctrines may be abusive. This post I suppose is the exception, just because I think it may be beneficial to include both the Bible story, but the verses with it. (Trigger Warning: Spiritual Abuse survivors should practice self care when reading on.)

In 2 Samuel chapter 12, there's a lot that has taken place at this point, including the story of David, King of Israel having taken a wife of another man, having had her husband killed in the process. When confronting him, the prophet Nathan uses another story of his own to prelude his message to this leader. He shared that a proverbial rich man versus a poor man plot; how the poor man had one little female lamb that was so loved that it was brought up as a member of his family, that the poor man treasured this creature as a daughter. But what happened? Well, as a lot of these stories go where the protagonist is the one with the power, the rich man snatches this beloved lamb to impress one of his guests. According to this story, King David becomes angry upon hearing this news, believing this to be a literal instance and not the proverbial kind that it was and his response was to also kill the offending party for what he had done, but also because the rich man hadn't shown "pity." (See 2 Samuel 12:5&6) To this Nathan replies, "Thou art the man," a soundbite familiar with those that have grown up hearing long winded preachers portray this sobering decree. But that's not all, the story continues with the prophet announcing judgment on David's family, declaring God would kill the baby Bathsheba bore as payback. And, all of this was to take place in front of all of Israel, because the sin had been committed in secret. (vs. 12). 

If I'm honest, I've never liked this part and I'm not at all fazed at saying I don't agree with the idea of judgement by murdering young innocent children, but putting that all aside at remembering how this story was used in countless sermons, I think it speaks volumes. Not only that a little female lamb seen as a daughter of a family was the one harmed as so many daughters of Independent Fundamental Baptists are, but also how David, as a leader, had become greatly angered when he was told of such a thing. That has been the reaction of many a fundamentalist pastor who would scream from the pulpit of how, if a pedophile was to harm one of his church's kids, he'd take them "behind the barn" or as a way to point out abusive priests in the Catholic Church. Too often, it's another reaction altogether when it's one of their own "kings" that have harmed an Independent Fundamental Baptist lamb, one of their very own, and certainly, accountablity is more often swept under the rug. What is usually the end result in this? "Israel" doesn't hear how their leaders have harmed the most innocent among them and there is no justice. Not to mention, that with the absence of justice, the risk to future victims is a high price.

The prophet Nathan was justified when he stood and pointed his finger towards David who had been guilty of sexual assault when he used his authority as king and stole Bathsheba from her husband, impregnated her and had her husband killed in battle. 

In IFB teachings, pastors are anointed by God, they are leaders of their flocks, but rarely are there Nathans to point their finger in their faces and say, "Thou art the man." Why? Because most Nathans are forbidden to speak out against a man of God, their leader, their king if you will. They are not able to say, "This is wrong!" or "But, this is not Christ-like," without some consequences. Some are shunned. Others kicked out of their churches. Or, if you're one of the unfortunate ones you gain the attention of the CLA and you're legally shut down. You cannot spread "gossip," you are ridiculed for sowing discord among the breathren and are marked, then inevitably ostracized for attempting to "deceive" believers. You can even lose your Believer status.

So, is "finger pointing" really finger pointing? And if it is, why is that a problem? In some cases, it's even possibly biblical...if you interpret it that way, anyway.

The thing is that, regardless, if you speak out, blow the whistle, PLEAD with people to protect the most vulnerable within any community, you will find skeptics and critics that say you didn't do it right. That you are guilty of broad brushing an entire group. That you are even out for revenge. I'll be honest, if and when I hear these things, I often get frustrated and against my better judgment, sometimes even take it personally. Because I'll tell you, it's emotionally depleting to get in a disagreement about your motives with countless victims in mind when you make a plea for change. But, after that, I DO review my motives, soul search, etc. Because, it's imperative to keep in step sometimes, to keep justice in sight and that's okay. And, I know I'm not the only one. For those, unlike me that are on the frontlines of this, the burden to fight for accountability and justice can be an unbearably heavy burden to bear. 

So, listen. 

Just listen with the stories you hear. Have open eyes to the survivors' accounts you read. And, empathize from the heart. Because if you're doing that, you are not focused on impossible statistics; you're focused on the fact that one victim is one too many. It's allowing you to hold up the arms who have the heartbreaking job of pointing their fingers. What would it be if the ones pointing fingers had a mass of supporters standing alongside and beside them, current and former Independent Fundamental Baptists alike...

So, I guess my last question is this: Hey, Nathans, where are you?

Photos courtesy: Unsplash