20/20 Vision

I don't know how many of my friends and family watched V*rgas' most recent 20/20 episode linked below, but I did.

I'm assuming there must be a number of Baptists who were deeply disturbed by the topic - the IF*B as a c*lt and abuse hiders. I must admit there were two things I didn't appreciate, such as V*rgas' comment that there's an IF*B church in almost every city in America. Is there? Probably. But are they all covering up abuse? Probably not. At the very best, it was a sweeping generality. At the worst, a false accusation spreading suspicion among numerous communities. My second issue was the use of the word c*lt. To me, a c*lt is spreading heresy, not adhering to the key doctrines of God's Word. Although some definitely err in their preaching and their interpretation of Scripture, I don't think every Baptist church automatically falls into the c*lt category.

All that to say, I cannot refute much of what was presented. Why? Because I grew up in one of these churches. And yet we are current members of a Baptist church and I do not feel as if this church is in the same category at all. That is why it is preposterous to assume that every Baptist church is teaching that we should sp*nk infants, cover up abuse, or make se*ually abused minors confess publicly.

I do firmly believe there are Baptist churches (and other denominations as well) that look the other way when abuse occurs. I know this because I saw it in my own church. I saw how some of my friends were treated by their parents. I was scared of some of my authority figures. I was told not to do things - not because of a Scripture passage, but because that was what we were told. I learned authority should not be questioned. I saw members acting in conflicting ways - such as not attending movie theaters because "no one will know what you are seeing", yet they could walk into a video store without batting an eye. And how about Netflix? I found out if a man had lustful thoughts about a woman, it was the woman's fault. (I'm not guessing, I know someone this happened to.) I was taught rules, not principles for Christian living.

I am glad to say that three adults in our church served or are serving time in prison for abuse. Not because the church reported them, mind you. Their victims had to take care of it themselves. At one point two of the abusers were presented as persecuted saints until abuse occurred again and there was physical proof to back up the allegations. If I told you what the third adult did to his children you would be stunned. And again, those were the ones who were prosecuted.

It breaks my heart to think that I observed things as a child and felt no ability to do anything about it. As an adult I look back with 20/20 vision and realize what was really going on, but again still feel powerless to do a whole lot about it. So I guess I'd like to say I'm sorry to all my brothers and sisters in Christ who I let down all those years ago. I'm sorry I didn't tell my parents more. I'm sorry I didn't encourage you to say something. I'm sorry your lives have taken the turns that they have. I'm sorry that you did not feel loved and secure enough in your church family so that you could get help. I'm sorry you had to find acceptance somewhere else. I'm sorry.

If you know or suspect that abuse is occurring, please speak to someone about it. If they won't listen, move on to someone who will. If a victim shares abuse with you, please remember you are legally obligated to report it to the appropriate authorities. Whether you are the victim or the friend of one, please speak up.

*I want to clarify I do not believe there is abuse currently occurring at the church I grew up in. My memories are from my childhood years only.

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http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VD55121488/2020-48-victims-forced-confession

As a further note, Joc*lyn Zicht*rman was a classmate of mine and I knew/know several of her family members. As I've done more research about her work and how she feels about the Baptist denomination as a whole, I'm heartbroken. I firmly believe abuse needs to be dealt with and prosecuted, but I also believe as we seek justice our attitude and actions need to be right before the Lord.