sexual harassment
Timing Right for Sexual Ethics Seminar
On the wave of the #MeToo movement and the accusations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, United Methodists learn how to "do no harm" when it comes to handling sexual ethics complaints. Read more
After Kavanaugh, Christians Have a 48 Percent Problem to Deal With
A recent poll showed that a majority of white evangelical Christian respondents believed that verified sexual assault shouldn't disqualify someone from public office – a disturbing finding, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Their Silence Fills the Earth
Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area offers United Methodist some guidelines for making safe space for sexual assault survivors to tell their stories and begin healing. Read more
On Capitol Hill, Faith Groups' Protesters Duel over Kavanaugh Nomination
Women of many religions demonstrated on Capitol Hill Sept. 27 in protest against and for the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more
To Abuse Survivors: 'You Are Strong, You Are Brave and Your Voice Matters'
Women's advocate and Christian Jules Woodson recounts her own experience of sexual assault in church to describe what it's like when someone is attacked and then not believed. Read more
No, You Can’t Blame Pope Francis For This
Himself a survivor of church-based sexual misconduct, the Rev. Morgan Guyton asserts that the closed-in hierarchical system of the Roman Catholic Church needs to be radically changed to protect children from abuse. Read more
#MeToo and the Continuum of Harm
Sexual assault and sexual harassment are symptoms of a larger disease, a cancer that treats women and girls as though they are not made in God’s image, writes Susan Greer Burton for the General Board of Church and Society. Read more
Church Survey Finds Drop in Sexual Harassment
Among other factors, the survey found that clergy, laity and church employees experienced fewer incidents of sexual misconduct since 2005. Read more
Bishops, Agency Respond to MeToo Movement
United Methodist leaders pledge to "do the right thing" with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in the church, along with providing resources to reduce abusive behaviors. Read more
In Her Words: Reflections by Clergywomen on Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Church
The Church needs to take stock of its treatment of clergywomen in light of the #MeToo movement, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
‘Double Persecution’: The Untold Plight of Christian Women Worldwide
Barna Group editor Roxanne Stone interviews Open Doors CEO David Curry about his organization's latest survey on the faith and sexual persecution facing Christian women around the world. Read more
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As Hollywood Speaks Out, Will Other Wounded Women Go Deeper into the Shadows?
While she applauds the #MeToo movement for breaking the silence around sexual harassment, retired United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson cautions that gender justice must respond to women's needs in varied contexts. Read more
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Morally Diminished: It All Boils Down to Immoral Sexual Practices
Now is the time for all religions in the United States to lift up their common values that can change morally corrupt lives: Love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, writes the Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas. Read more
All Eyes On Alabama: The Outcome Will Decide if Christianity is Bankrupt
The marriage of religion and politics, long in the making, has possibly corrupted beyond redemption the most visible faces of American Christianity, writes the Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas. Read more
Why the Conversation about Rights Won't End Harassment
For the Church, the discussion around sexual harassment is even more complex, because the church has abandoned its historic theology of human sin in favor of political language, writes the Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt Read more
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Why Evangelicals Support (Allegedly) Pedophilic Roy Moore
American Evangelical culture has long silenced the voices of women, making it possible to equivocate Roy Moore's alleged abuse of teen-age girls with biblical references – but not for much longer, writes the Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas. Read more
My Silence: A Response to #MeToo
On the topic of recent revelations of the scope of sexual assaults agains women, the Rev. Jim Parsons is silent -- for a good reason. Read more
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Agency Seeks to Update Sexual Harassment Information
The General Commission on Status and Role of Women's online survey seeks information from clergy and laity regarding instances of sexual harassment in The United Methodist Church. Read more
North Texas Bishop Issues Statement on Fair Process
Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Annual Conference has issued a statement to clergy and lay members regarding fair process, the procedures provided for complaint resolution in the Book of Discipline. Read more
What Do We Really Need to Know?
UPDATE: Read firsthand accounts. A clergywoman's complaint about how her allegations of sexual harassment were handled by the North Texas Conference revealed what her supporters saw as a lack of justice and leaders saw as protecting "fair process." Read more