Insights into the Southern Baptist sexual assault crisis

If the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express News In 2019, Christa Brown published the exposé “Abuse of Faith,” which documents how the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) spent more than 20 years covering up allegations of sexual abuse against nearly 400 clergy members. In her memoir, she called it a “hallelujah moment.” BaptistlandIn her book, Brown recounts her own abuse by a pastor and her journey to healing, offering comfort to other victims.

Brown details the shockingly poor progress the nation's largest Protestant denomination has made in protecting its members following these revelations. Attendees at the SBC's 2024 annual meeting ignored calls for meaningful action and instead passed resolutions supporting Israel and opposing artificial insemination. They also voted to expel the First Baptist Church of Alexandria for allowing women to serve as pastors.

The biblically robbed boys’ club in Baptistland reflects the dynamic nature of American politics. Through scandals and convictions, the powerful make a point of retaining their positions. The SBC's promises to take “bold steps” resemble campaign promises – just as politicians expect voters to be appeased after the election, the SBC patriarchs expect victims to be satisfied with yet another toothless task force.

Brown – whose abuser continues to work for the SBC – exposes the hypocrisy of an organization that claims to “show God’s compassion to those in need” while shielding abusers from accountability.

The post “Review: Inside the Southern Baptist Sexual Assault Crisis” first appeared on Reason.com.