The Dangers of Religiosity: When Faith Becomes a Tool of Abuse
Religiosity ain’t nothing but trauma misspelled…
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs,which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. ~ Matthew 23:27-28
I watched a video recently that left me profoundly disturbed. It was a scene from a church service, live-streamed and now circulating widely on social media. A 15-year-old black girl, visibly shaken and desperate, was forced to confess her "sin" of being pregnant out of wedlock in front of her congregation. Pastor Terry W. Jackson of True Vine Apostolic Church, a man who purports to represent a higher moral authority, subjected her to public shaming and humiliation. He declared that she did not deserve a baby shower and forbade the congregation from attending one or even participating in one that she might have. As I watched, the girl repeatedly apologized, her voice breaking with each word, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and shame. The entire congregation was complicit, either by their silence or by their murmurs of disapproval. Her mother Ms. Dee Myles even posted in support of the pastor & the church. The video was a stark reminder of the dangers of religiosity when it is wielded as a tool of abuse and control.
The Abusive Nature of Public Shaming
Public shaming is a form of emotional and psychological abuse that can leave deep, lasting scars. For a 15-year-old girl, being forced to stand in front of her community and confess her perceived moral failings is a traumatic experience. It strips away her sense of dignity and self-worth, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. The pastor's role in this ritual was particularly distressing. As a figure of authority and a supposed beacon of compassion and guidance, he should have been a source of support and understanding. Instead, he chose to use his platform to shame and demean a young girl, reinforcing the idea that she is unworthy of love and care.
The Overlooked Issue of Sexual Abuse
Given her age, it is highly likely that this young girl's pregnancy might be the result of sexual abuse. Yet, the pastor and the congregation chose to focus on her "sin" rather than her trauma. No one asked if she was okay, no one offered to help her navigate the complex and often dangerous situation she was in. The video was a stark reminder of how religious institutions can fail to protect the most vulnerable among them. Instead of seeking justice and support for the victim, they often prioritize maintaining their moral high ground and upholding their conservative values. The man who impregnated her, likely a predator who took advantage of her youth and vulnerability, went unnamed and unpunished. The focus was entirely on her, as if her suffering and exploitation were secondary to the community's need to uphold a rigid, outdated moral code.
The Cult-Like Dynamics of Some Religious Groups
This incident is not an isolated one. It is symptomatic of a broader issue within some religious communities, where the lines between faith and cult-like behavior can become blurred. When a religious group prioritizes its own moral doctrine over the well-being of its members, it can create an environment of fear, control, and abuse. Members are often conditioned to believe that any deviation from the prescribed norms is a sin, and that public confession and shaming are necessary steps for redemption. This can lead to a cycle of trauma and retraumatization, where individuals are repeatedly harmed in the name of faith.
Misogyny, Patriarchy, and Abuse
The pastor's actions were deeply misogynistic and patriarchal. By singling out the girl and publicly humiliating her, he reinforced the notion that women are to blame for sexual misconduct, even in cases of abuse. This is a common theme in many conservative religious communities, where women are often held to higher standards of sexual purity and are seen as the gatekeepers of moral virtue. When these standards are violated, the punishment is swift and severe, often at the expense of the victim's mental and emotional health.
Moreover, the pastor's decision to deny her a baby shower and to forbid the congregation from supporting her is a form of collective punishment. It sends a clear message that she is not worthy of the community's love and care. This not only further isolates her but also sends a chilling message to other young women who might find themselves in similar situations. The message is clear: if you deviate from the prescribed norms, you will be ostracized and shamed.
The Responsibility of Religious Leaders
Religious leaders have a profound responsibility to their congregations. They are often seen as moral authorities and role models, and their words and actions can have a significant impact on the lives of those they lead. In this case, the pastor failed spectacularly. Instead of showing compassion and offering support, he chose to use his influence to shame and punish a young girl. This is a stark example of how religious leaders can become instruments of harm rather than sources of healing.
To Wrap This Up….
The video of the 15-year-old girl being publicly shamed in her church is a painful reminder of the dangers of religiosity when it is used as a tool of abuse. It highlights the need for religious communities to critically examine their practices and to prioritize the well-being of their members, especially the most vulnerable among them. Compassion, understanding, and support should always come before judgment and punishment. The girl in the video deserved better, and so do all individuals who find themselves in similar situations. It is time for religious leaders to recognize the harm they can cause and to take meaningful steps to prevent it.