On facebook a blog was shared, and I went and had a look. http://extoots.blogspot.com/ I browsed a few posts and came upon an article that was referred to on a posted dated, April 30th.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Shedding+light+on+child+abuse+among+the+Laestadians/1135265532861
While reading that article, it seems it matters not whether you are in Finland or in the USA, if you are asking for abuse to be recognized within the church, you will be bypassed.
This article has tons of great information and insight, however this is one section that caught my eye.
Have the leaders put pressure on you?
“I wouldn’t say that my treatment involved pressure, because putting pressure is something that is active. But I have felt that I have been bypassed.”
Boy do I get that. They don’t pressure you or threaten; they simply bypass what you are saying. There is literally NO reaction or action taken when you bring up sexual abuse in the church.
Anyone that is pondering, how in the hell, sexual abuse and pedophiles has been able to play within the confines of this religion, need to read this article.
However, by her speaking out and others like her we can air out this issue, bring light and awareness, open the closet and see what is hanging there.
This inspires me and makes me feel that my treatment wasn’t personal, it is simply the way it has been dealt for over a 100 years. But due to the fact that she has written an article in their newspaper, perhaps we too can do the same.
When bypassed inside the religion, we go to the outside.
