I M Perfect lady

There is a group of individuals who are concerned about the lack of reporting sexual assaults in the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church – and I can only hope there is a similar group in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church.  

Mostly they are hoping to appeal to the elders of the church, the mission boards and preachers.  

They want to inform them how to report sexual assault crimes.

What I believe they fail to consider is that these are grown up people who know and who have chosen to remain quiet – to preserve the sanctity of their church.

What appears to matter most is that if you don't speak of the evil that is present, the evil disappears.  While they are silent and unmoving, evil flourishes and has actually multiplied exponentially.  

The two churches that I have mentioned truly look to the leadership on all things.  They are the ones who make the rules and set the tone of how you live, what you do with your body etc.

Which is why so many are trying to get the attention of the church leaders to make some changes. They move when the elders move…their free thinking minds have been brainwashed.

To me each parent who knowingly brings their children to places where known pedophiles are, IS a bigger problem.

There is a false sense of security – when church members gather – believing the evil is in those who are outside of the church. Or stranger danger – for crimes against children. 

More parents know and do nothing – than parents who are totally unaware.

What I believed, when my father was arrested, that we were the only family. Only to learn over the next weeks, months and years, it was more common than not.  

I also believe sexual abuse is so intertwined within families, it will be near impossible to eradicate.  

I had abuse on both sides of my parents. 

The church neighbors in our neighborhoods, had it in their homes.

In fact a brother flippantly said, "there is abuse everywhere." which is sorta true in these churches. But that doesn't mean that it is right or okay or that we need not work on that changing.

I have spoken with women of the church – who are unmovable when it comes to leaving the church, their faith is too precious. More than a child in harm's way.   Their minds won't let them leave and so they have to focus more on faith and less on the child's needs.

So, as they write letters to appeal to the elders – the flock is compliant to the abuse in their circles. What would be the cost to the elders to admit they lost the sanctity of their religion.

For how is their religion Holy – when abusers are protected there.

I am not certain what the answer is – but the common sense has escaped – or been hijacked by the cult-like mindset.  When you have to be told to leave when children are at risk for sexual abuse – you are lacking responsibility.

I often wished it was the problem of others – to change – but in the end it was up to me.

I had to be the one to say no more, THIS ends with me.

I will do what my mother couldn't do.

I will end relationships, I will set boundaries, I will say no, I will chart the course on a whole new pathway – where there is zero tolerance.

Instead of addressing the preachers, start a letter to you.

(What changes do you need to make to assure children are safe within your circles.)