Prosposed FBFI Special Resolution on Abuse

resolutions will do nothing to solve the problem.

The FBF only passes resolutions that will solve problems? That will solve problems specific to Fundamentalism?

[…]

[Mike Durning]…there are things in the philosophy or culture of Fundamentalism … These things are factors that Fundamentalism shares in common with other groups and agencies that have also struggled with this problem….my belief that the problem is worse in Fundamentalism than in the general population need not be a criticism of the movement as such.

I agree-these factors are present in other groups and institutions. The #1 need of any predator is opportunity and access… so I’m left asking “Who is ‘the general population’?” in your vernacular?

Statistically, perpetrators of abuse are most often found in the home, not in a dark alley, or even a school. It is also a self-perpetuating crime, in that those who have been abused are also more likely to become abusers. Even the http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/perpetrators/sexual_abuse/perp_sexabuse…] US Dept of Health and Human Services doesn’t try to guess at these things-

http://www.usccb.org/nrb/johnjaystudy/prev1.pdf] The estimation of any form of deviance in the general population is a very difficult task. It is
impossible to assess the extent of sexual offending, either in general or with children as targets.
Most estimates of the distribution of sexual offenders in the general population are derived from
forensic sources, that is, samples of those who are arrested or convicted for sex offenses. All
researchers acknowledge that those who are arrested represent only a fraction of all sexual
offenders. Sexual crimes have the lowest rates of reporting for all crimes. Not all potential
participants in such studies can be known or contacted, not all would use the same language
to describe their experiences, and not all are willing to share information.

[Mike Durning] Only at the most ridiculous extremes of the movement (a la FBC Hammond’s personality cult), where people surrender the independent function of their minds to the leader, is it something worthy of criticism. It should not surprise us, then, that places built on that model have an even greater incidence of such horror stories.

IMO, if one has to go to the extreme in order to find dysfunction, that reveals it as an exception and not the rule, because the exception proves the rule.

I’m not saying that these questions aren’t good or necessary- what twisting or neglect of Biblical principles and even common sense opens the door for predators in the church? This needs to be examined and addressed. But there is no particular aspect of IFBism or IFB culture that lends itself to child predation more than in a family (where most abuse happens), or schools, or any other place where children regularly gather. Simply put- the presence of children lends itself to child predation.

[Susan R]

[Mike Durning] Only at the most ridiculous extremes of the movement (a la FBC Hammond’s personality cult), where people surrender the independent function of their minds to the leader, is it something worthy of criticism. It should not surprise us, then, that places built on that model have an even greater incidence of such horror stories.

IMO, if one has to go to the extreme in order to find dysfunction, that reveals it as an exception and not the rule, because the exception proves the rule.

Unless the crazies outnumber the sane ones who use the name Fundamentalist. Sometimes, in our part of Michigan, it can seem that way.

[Mike Durning]

[Susan R]

[Mike Durning] Only at the most ridiculous extremes of the movement (a la FBC Hammond’s personality cult), where people surrender the independent function of their minds to the leader, is it something worthy of criticism. It should not surprise us, then, that places built on that model have an even greater incidence of such horror stories.

IMO, if one has to go to the extreme in order to find dysfunction, that reveals it as an exception and not the rule, because the exception proves the rule.

Unless the crazies outnumber the sane ones who use the name Fundamentalist. Sometimes, in our part of Michigan, it can seem that way.

What should have happened in the past, and thankfully has become more prevalent today, is challenging dysfunction and heresy. Extremism was unfortunately allowed to take hold, perhaps in response to the extremes gaining a foothold in society at the time. But never should we allow culture to distract us from a steady course of sound doctrine and faithful obedience to the Word of God. It’s fair to say we are reaping what others have sown in the credibility garden.

I agree with Bro. Pittman that human nature tends to rest on its laurels once something ‘official’ has been ‘done’. But the real prevention is going to be in the every day 24/7/365 until death do us part awareness of the signs of grooming and victimization.

FBFI resloutions passed this year addressed the following:

—the SBC
—Together for the Gospel
—Beverage Alchohol
—“Associations” of Worship Elements (mostly music)
—Independency of the local Church
—Expositional Preaching