Comments for Child Abuse in the Baptist Church

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Dec 24, 2009
 Dawn:
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

I don't disagree. Your position is why I walked away from religion a very long time ago. And now we know that churches are and have been safe havens for child molesters. Thank you for sharing your poignant story and your thoughts with my visitors and me. I wish you all the best along your road toward healing and recovery, Dawn.

From Victim to Victory, a memoir
Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
author. speaker. survivor. coach
From Victim to Victory, a memoir
Dec 24, 2009
 Abuse in the church
by: Scott Canada

Hi Dawn.
What happened to you is more than awful. I have to admit though that when I began reading, I found myself stereotyping. I was expecting you to write of physical abuse. I hear so much about church and spanking/corporal punishment being promoted by the leaders of such organizations. I have even read how they teach by example to their followers the "proper" way to punish your child etc..all very sickening! I was surprised and shocked to read that what happened to you was sexual abuse.
I cant help thinking that perhaps what you experienced was that of a cult. Growing up here in Canada I knew of and actually witnessed "church going folks" being very strict with there children. I think they were the worst. Just my opinion. I also knew of lots of non-church going parents that were that way with their children as well.
I hope I didnt change the subject too much its just that I comment when something bothers me so. Its no surprise to anyone here that knows me that I would be commenting on corporal punishment as I usually expressed my opinion on that matter.
I think some abusers use the opportunity to take a child's cloths off to spank as a way of getting closer to sexual abusing that child. All under the guise of spanking. It could be in the home, church or in my case school. Clearly you were abused and should report those who abused you. Good luck, be well, and god speed.
Dec 25, 2009
 I'll never know, why a church has child molesters ?
by: maurice

I am still a member of the Church because I believe in A GOD of Love. I believe the message of the Scripture's rather than the small percent of messengers of it who are paodeophille's child molesters abusers. Only two so called church men out of a possible 16 who were in the school I attended as a child abused the boys. I am certain the good one's knew that these two spanked our bare bottoms at all ages while we went through school. one in particular would find simple reason to undress us and wallop us. one used to bath us on Saturday nights until we got to our teens. Touching us etc. The Church's are human institutions. The sooner they acknowledge then it might give their members a greater understanding of the hiddenness that went on behind the closed dooors. I know many a Chritian Father and Mothers who were acknowledged members of their church but went home and thrashed the bottoms of their children in the name of discipline and sadly sexually abused them too and still were in church next Sunday. I do not condone any church person who used his/her position to abuse. I live with the Why? did they do it and still preached the word of God from Altars. A tree does not grow from the top down. Families grow together from the roots and the birthed up. What happened to you was totally wrong. you must tell, name and shame them so that they will not abuse again. Hi Live well, laugh alot, Love much beginning with your wonderful and beautiful self This Christams and all through 2010. Hug love into you in front of the Mirror. era go, bare is beautiful and you are beautiful. Always believe in yourself
Dec 26, 2009
 IMO
by: BMW Princess

I think some churches have child molesters because the pervs say they're sorry and ask for forgiveness. Those slick sociopaths act like they're sorry. A tennet of the Christan faith is giving people a second chance.
Dec 26, 2009
 No accountability for Baptist clergy
by: Christa Brown

Baptist churches present the perfect paradise for predators. Baptist leaders refuse to even attempt to implement effective systems of accoutability for their clergy, and the porous congregationalist structure allows predators to church-hop with ease. The bodies of Baptist clergy abuse survivors pile up in the ditches, but at all levels of Baptist leadership, men simply turn a blind-eye and walk by. It's harrowing and horrific.

Dawn: Thank you for sharing your story, and I hope you will continue on your road to healing. Keep on keeping on. You are far from alone; many others walk similar paths.
Jul 07, 2011
 Unfair and Irrational
by: Anonymous

I will not prattle on about how perfect the Baptist Church is because, like all Churches it isn't. If you expect Christians to be perfect, you will be let down. I do belong to a Baptist Church and I don't know of anyone in the Church who has molested children. I do, however, know of children who have been molested by family members outside of the Church. But the Church can't be blamed for that. Saying that all Baptist Churches are corrupt and evil is an irrational and unfair accusation much like saying all people who practice Islam are terrorists. I am truly sorry about what happened to you, however instead of blaming Baptists it would be a much better use of your energy blaming those who inflicted the damage or allowed them to.

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