News Feature: Gender Based and Family Violence: Adventists Call for Action
By Alethia Nkosi, July 14, 2016: The Central Adventist Church in Gaborone, Botswana, hosted a seminar on gender-based and intimate partner violence in June, organized by the Women’s Ministries department. The event was well-attended and featured very educational and informative presentations. Several practitioners spoke, including a university professor in the field who gave a well-rounded summary, a police officer who highlighted recent statistics, a social worker, a judge and “childline” toll free helpline representative. A victim narrated her painful ordeal of basically all forms of gender-based violence (physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic) perpetrated against her at the hands of her cousins and aunt, an uncle’s friend, other relatives, the community, school staff and fellow students. She was literally robbed of her childhood.
I observed that most of the presenters were “outsiders” to the Adventist community. I began to reflect as to why as Adventists we were not represented among the speakers. This is a social ill which clearly affects the community of believers. Our faith does not insulate us from the social woes around us.
One must ask several question in light of the seminar: (1) Is this a silent killer in the church? (2) How are church members sensitized to this? (3) If affected, are their available avenues for seeking help within the Adventist denomination? (4) How adequate are these resources?
Searching for Answers
I interviewed Mrs. Susan Williams, the Botswana Union Conference women’s ministries director. She reiterated the message that victims need to speak out. But the challenge also lies in how effective the church structures are in addressing such issues. At the global level, she mentioned that, the denomination has embarked on an initiative called enditnow, a call and commitment by Adventists to “say NO to all forms of violence.” This campaign was launched in 2011 with a march and since then a number of projects to raise public awareness have been pursued at the national level in Botswana.
Williams alluded to the fact that victims shy away from disclosing their situation for fear of stigmatization. She also acknowledged that with regards to structures to assist both victims and perpetrators more still needs to be done, and that this is an area that the church still has a lot of work to do especially at the local church level. In Gaborone there is a counseling center that has been established to address this need, however it suffers low rates of attendance for reasons mentioned above and is not preferred by Adventists. She has been building a network of committed counselors who value confidentiality and they have assisted quite a large number of victims.
Analysis
Issues of gender have come to the fore in recent times and particularly with respect to how religious bodies deal with different aspects of gender and relationships. There seems to be an increase in the number and depravity of crimes committed across gender lines, including the ill treatment of children and the elderly. Is the Adventist denomination dealing with these problems effectively at both the global level and at the local level?
The gospel is good news, in part because it offers human beings an opportunity to be redeemed from the power of sin and in a very real way should also give hope and comfort to those who are afflicted in any way. This is the Christian challenge that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ adequately dealt with. Are we faithful to Him if we are silent? In the face of oppression shall we look forward to the hope of the next life and not stand up against situations and issues that demean human dignity?
One of the most beautiful aspects of Christianity is that it has been an evolving faith making way for it to redefine itself. This development has taken place in the midst of a traditional and conservative stance to a standard that must always be tested against our consciences. A case in point: slavery. It initially was acceptable because of how the Bible was interpreted, the hermeneutics of the day. However subjected to the test of Love, the conscience of some weighed heavily on them that clearly slavery was an immoral practice. The founders of the Adventist denomination were in this progressive group.
We are still facing similar challenges in terms of gender relations and the treatment of gays and lesbians. Combining a traditional interpretation of the role of women and the general patriarchal treatment of women in many cultures creates a room with no windows for those affected. Thus there is a need to provide awareness to the results of discriminative, abusive behaviors and attitudes, and help empower victims to overcome these.
Conclusion
It should be our common earnest expectation that on the right side of history and heaven the church should be found to be a moral leader and not be led by the world. Thus our faith should provide some form of moral security. The worst case scenario in any security system is when the protector becomes an aggressor. When guardians abuse children, a spouse abuses the other and when the moral authority of the church as a body fails to notice and address these kinds of abuses.
This might seem like a harsh pronouncement on the corporate church, but if the church keeps silent on a serious moral issue then in a way it becomes a moral aggressor. This silence has in the past, and in some communities at present, been the result of hermeneutics of the moment. Church members are not immune to these social ills and thus one can conclude that as a body we have a moral obligation to stand up against such and seek redress for those that are afflicted.
To its credit the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has a long standing commitment to fight all manner of discrimination coupled with a willingness to work with other parties. The challenge is how to make these intentions real at the grassroots level.
Alethia Nkosi is a new member of the Adventist Today team. She is our first regular correspondent based in Africa. She will contribute regular news and analysis.
All Christian churches do not suffer from gender inequality. Could it be that the Adventist church which bases many of its doctrines from the OT, also has accepted the patriarchal tradition that prevailed during that period?
The extreme Orthodox Jews still live with this tradition, but Christianity which is based in the NT shed much of that heritage.
All patriarchal cultures accept that males lead, women follow, and is self-evident in much of the world today. Adventists who brought their belief to the world, did little to change that tradition; even as the leader tries to turn back the clock in the western world to match the third world. Abuse will not change until religion teaches justice and equality before God.
“When guardians abuse children, a spouse abuses the other and when the moral authority of the church as a body fails to notice and address these kinds of abuses.”
To be fair as someone had proposed in another blog, perhaps these abuses should be categorized into two federal groups, “Forced Subjection” and “Willing Subjection” where the “Willing Subjection” is biblically based and victims willingly subject themselves to the perpetrators authority in return for “their protection and individual rights.”
Elmer, what is the functional use of constructing the two categories? If a person suffers subjection by another person that is violation of their God-given personhood and a sin by the subjector is it not?
The imitation of Christ. The whole idea of not resisting evil. Blessing those that persecute. And also, Paul’s assertion that contentment with godliness is great riches.
“Elmer, what is the functional use of constructing the two categories? ”
Monte, I was being facetious. I only brought this up because Bill Sorenson used it as justification for subjugating women. in “Reflections on a Call for Unity.” Check the enclosed link.
I agree with you, subjection is subjection regardless of what situation it is.
https://atoday.org/reflections-on-a-call-for-unity/
OK. I am with you! Sorry to be slow.
Amen William. Maybe if we really want to create categories, where do the children fall within subjection or submission? Since 40% of the child abuse is allowed or caused by the mother? How about the 680,000 more men than women psychologically abused? How about the much higher prevalence of men being assaulted by a weapon? Even though we may be harder to kill; are we not worthy of compassion? How about the 25,000 new female jail cells we have had to construct; while the male population is dropping?
Maybe we should classify victims instead? Maybe folks should be involved or at least understand the issue before making suggestions? Maybe we should stop wasting resources?
My wife and I prayed about how to help Elaine, but we see the deep roots of the issue. To have the blessings of someone commanded to love as CHRIST and to have an absolute partner that submits into that command creates a oneness that seemingly few will share; especially now. The same as submission of choice to CHRIST creates blessings and eternal life or damnation. Either way the yoke should not be unequal or the Word blasphemed.
We have compassion and sympathy for those that miss such complete and utter oneness, the many blessings and the ultimate rest and peace; all within HIS hands. Then we think about the missed example and beacon to others; including our children. Those that search and never see, because we are too involved in ourselves. We must either hate them or HIM or both.
I really don’t understand how this is relevant to the article or issue being discussed. We know that women and children are the most abused everywhere in the world, especially in Muslim-influenced countries. Unfortunately these cultures also influence some Adventists living in them.
Abuse is improper or excessive maltreatment by definition. Do you have another definition?
Muslim influenced counties have a much lower crime rate than the US, yet you wish to complain about others?
Married females are already the most protected class in the US; we made sure of that. I think a pretty good plan would be for women to get married, stay married and live happy; oh sorry, that’s HIS plan. Or is this like Black lives matters, without justification?
Children between 12-17 have the highest prevalence of victimization of any class. Is the fact that mothers are responsible for 40% of home abuse, more than twice any other class, not prevalent? Do they not deserve our stand in wisdom?
When does relevance of understanding become important in this issue; if not now? Do we keep throwing large amounts of funding and resources at the issue; only to watch it grow? Then want to influence others?
From aggression and gender psychology:
Women are more likely to use direct aggression in private, where other people cannot see them, and are more likely to use indirect aggression (such as passive-aggressive behavior) in public.
Men are more likely to be the targets of displays of aggression and provocation than females.
You fail to teach in Titus 2, then want to complain about those commanded to Love as CHRIST? Is that not the root cause?
Why is our funding and resources not used to relieve grief and needs; but instead to promote ideologies?
Conviction: I really think you live on another planet it certainly isn’t this one! Do you ever read, hear, or watch the news? I know it may often be spin, but it has more reality than these statements.
Nope, live right here in the good old USA. I read, hear and watch the news. I am involved daily in the protection of society, all of society. You have to look at the bigger picture. Not everyone is as Loved and privileged as you. You have a Loving husband, family and we all Love you. You should be very thankful for that. But many make very bad decisions, in the hole they dug for themselves; because they have not been blessed as you have.
I have seen the impact and results of multitudes of abused children and adults. I have sees our Federal and charitable funding actually going to those doing the abuse. I have seen that funding going for drugs and lifestyle, not to the kids, elderly or serving anyone, Only the opposite, as they are shuffled and knocked around. My wife deals with educational delivery and sees the same thing every day.
This changed in 2013, all of the bounds of knowledge was submitted to the US Supreme Court. The waste of our dollars (and dollars going to those abused) stopped. The Court workbench handbooks are all being rewritten. Even the dollars coming from the Office of Violence Against Women has to now be used for non-discriminatory purposes. Things are much better now. The numbers of abused have been going down. But we cannot just hire the nonprofit management that created this self perpetuating issue and call it the guise of Church; or sanction such ideologies. We all matter.
Unfortunately this is an epidemic in the SDA church worldwide. I live in Canada and sad to say a lot of our members think there is no need for counselling & we don’t need outsiders to help us. Abuse of any form is prevalent in our church, emotionally, psychological, mentally, physically, spiritually including in clergy families. We are not prone to these challenges. As a Christian therapist I am saddened and ashamed with the attitude some of our members have to think that we don’t need counsellors or help from other people who are not from our faith no matter how much knowledgeable and helpful they are and yet child trauma and divorce rate has increased tremendously. We are in such huge denial. I am happy that at least there are people out there who are making effort to break the barriers of violence and abuse. Good job. Hopefully, many SDAs will realize that we need to admit that we need help. Many people in the church need counselling. Dysfunctional families have been there since the time of Adam and Eve and will continue to be there until the end of time, so there is great need for help among believers. God is the author of knowledge. Its interesting that we think we don’t need the help of people outside the church and yet majority of the l songs we sing in our church are from the same people. I don’t dispute that we need to be able to discern between right and wrong. However, research is research and we should accept that violence is the same in church or outside…
The article highlights abuse, but blames it on patriarchy. Traditional Adventism is wrongfully accused of being the cause of abuse and violence because some in the church oppose a biblical view of male headship in the home and male eldership in the church . The Christian man is a protector of women and children – period. The patriarchal structure in the Bible testifies of this. It is the wickedness of the gender bender society that has led to the sinfulness and abuse we see all around us. Just because some men are abusive doesn’t negate patriarchy or justify demonising it. Many women are also quite abusive. Feminists support abortion, which is the epitome of violence and abuse. It is the courts that have legalised the right of women to kill their own offspring. Now, when the chickens come home to roost, let’s blame the violence on patriarchy. I have never ever heard Adventists promote or support violence against women and children. The act of parent (whether mom or dad) hitting a naughty disobedient child is a separate issue and obviously debatable. I posit that it is feminist ideals that have wrecked society and increased the wickedness, abuse and violence: not patriarchy.
I have an idea.
Maybe the Women’s Ministries should start teaching the young as the BIBLE states and not within their individual ideologies.
If they teach the young men to be sober and understand they will have to accept the responsibilities to Love as CHRIST; they may be ready.
If the teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands and children, to be discrete, chaste, keepers of the home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed; it would make the commandment to Love as CHRIST easier.
I would contend that anyone that fails in humility and submission themselves, sufficient to think that they should not teach humility and submission; should not be around our kids.
Likewise I would also contend that we should teach our kids to scream and yell when in danger and teach them how to know they might be in danger.
If this is not the absolute first goal of the Women’s Ministries and enditnow; then I have no idea what their purpose is. I see sufficient failure in society, to instill such values, to ensure a full time calling from now on. Then most of the root problems discussed would stop. Think of the missed blessings and pain and suffering created along the way because we stopped.
A parent in the US holds the absolute Parental and Religious Civil Rights to raise and discipline their child; without debate. Although I absolutely believe in discipline, I do sometimes hold the extent sometimes debatable myself.