Once again, unchecked sexual violence has made the headlines. As the Cornell case spreads across news feeds, United Methodists should be asking what is a faithful response. How do we do no harm and instead do good?
News like this lands differently depending on our own experiences, and that is real. For survivors of sexual harm, we acknowledge the pain, grief, and trauma that may be triggered by reports of sexual abuse and institutional failures to respond, and we speak out in solidarity. Collectively, we cannot stay where we are, mired in a culture of tolerating abuses of power, where too many people may not be the perpetrators of violence but remain passive bystanders who fail to interrupt harm. At Cornell, seven men are accused of sexual assault, but dozens more were made aware of the abuse in a group chat as it was taking place, and not one of them did a single thing to stop it.
So, as people of faith, we have to ask: Are we actually cultivating practices that equip us to actively resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? Will we be a Church that stays silent in the face of harassment and violence, or one that speaks with a prophetic voice?
Most of us would quickly say we do not condone abuse. But how do we make that real? How do we ensure our stated values become our lived practices?
Every church needs to say something. Every church needs to do something. Now is the time for pastors and lay leaders everywhere to speak up. Say something on Sunday. If you don’t know where to start, read more at this link.
