The #MeToo movement became popularized during recent years. This movement consists of women making allegations of sexual assault or impropriety against men.
These allegations often turn out to be false. Many women use these type of allegations to achieve some other objective. High profile examples include Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Brett Kavanaugh and most recently, the litigation against Trump launched by Jean Carroll. Here is one conservative critique of the #MeToo Movement.
But these allegations are not only launched against celebrities. Instead, they are also used against average men– young, old and in-between. Sometimes the allegations are true; but many times they are not.
The Southern Baptist Convention has been wrestling with these issues for a few years.
It was reported a couple of days ago that the Convention removed a couple of churches because of these types of allegations.
An interesting article at the Dissenter reveals that a Greensboro pastor– Josh Wester of Cornerstone Baptist Church– has been involved in these efforts within the Convention. (Readers might recall an article we had posted here a couple of months ago that described his race-based initiative on behalf of the Convention.)
But the author at the Dissenter explains perfectly the problems with the Southern Baptist Convention jumping aboard the #MeToo movement. He explains the issue much better than I can:
In the midst of the Southern Baptist Convention’s endless witch hunt for accused sex abusers, a shadow has been cast over the denomination orchestrated by men and women cloaked in the guise of “reformers” but, upon closer examination, are mere agents of division… (T)his endeavor should be doused with a healthy dose of skepticism as the task force’s actions—and the motivations behind them—merit a critical eye…
SBC leaders, like former ERLC head, Russell Moore, have painted a grim, albeit false picture of systemic neglect, a narrative eagerly lapped up by outlets like Christianity Today, despite revelations of their own checkered history with system sex abuse. Interestingly, a thorough investigation has since debunked the myth of widespread concealment of sex abuse in the SBC, revealing instead a more complex reality. This revelation begs the question—is the relentless pursuit of abuse claims within the SBC a genuine crusade for justice or a witch hunt with ulterior motives?
The latest chapter in this saga unfolds with the announcement of a new, independent nonprofit, created by the task force, which is chaired by North Carolina pastor, Josh Wester, set to take up the mantle of abuse reform. Remember, in 2021, Josh Wester, who worked for the ERLC under Russell Moore, argued against a resolution calling on Southern Baptists to affirm the complete and total abolition of abortion. Wester is a far-left advocate of “anti-hair discrimination in the workplace” legislation and served as interim president of the ERLC following Moore’s departure…
(This non-profit’s) inception, operation, and the very decision-making process behind its establishment sidestep the established protocols and by-laws of the SBC. The task force’s unilateral action in creating this entity without the express approval of the Convention’s messengers is a glaring contradiction of historical precedent and governance and sets a dangerous precedent for future endeavors.
This move also raises significant legal and procedural questions. The SBC’s by-laws and constitutional framework are designed to ensure that all significant changes, especially those with far-reaching implications, are subjected to the scrutiny and consent of its broader membership. The bypassing of such critical steps not only undermines the democratic ethos of the SBC but also casts doubt on the legitimacy and accountability of the nonprofit’s operations.
The narrative spun around the necessity of this nonprofit and the broader campaign against abuse within the SBC smacks of a deeper ideological battle. This campaign, while ostensibly aimed at safeguarding the vulnerable, increasingly reveals itself as a vessel for advancing progressive agendas, including the push for egalitarianism and the dismantling of biblical patriarchy. The relentless branding of traditionalist biblical convictions and doctrine as inherently oppressive serves not just to reform but to reshape the SBC’s foundational beliefs and practices.
The unfolding events within the SBC, marked by the creation of an independent nonprofit for abuse reform, signal not just a shift in tactics but a potential pivot in doctrine. The fervor with which this witch hunt for abuse is pursued, often sidelining due process and denominational protocol, suggests an underlying agenda. It’s a power play, veiled as a moral crusade, aiming to erode the strongholds of biblical doctrine under the guise of sex abuse “reform.” As the lines between genuine reform and ideological conquest blur, the SBC stands at a crossroads, its future direction hinged on the discernment and resolve of its faithful.
One additional point is that the Convention is claiming power it does not rightfully have. In the Southern Baptist Convention, churches are autonomous. The Convention has no rightful authority over such matters within the local church.
Once again, Southern Baptists need to be very concerned that leftists have taken over their denomination and some of their churches. This is a problem that never should have arisen since the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship splintered off three decades ago. But the left is determined to undermine Christian denominations that have historically held orthodox beliefs. And a new generation of pastors and leaders has taken over.
I don’t know enough about the extent of sexual abuse in the SBC churches. Nor do I know anything about the rules and procedures of the SBC. It appears that the convention is on the horn of a dilemma. I do understand the conflict with the leftists and the tensions there. I dunno the answer.
Depending on the meaning of the word “abuse”, I think it occurs in all denominations. The word “extent” suggests there is an actual amount taking place. That amount is difficult to discern because there is a difference between allegation and actuality, as my post suggests. The sad reality is that the sexual abuse episode is being used by the left within the SBC to help bolster and implement their agenda.