BishopAccountability.org
	Abusive Empires Falling By Jaime Romo Healing and Spirituality February 21, 2011 http://www.jaimeromo.com/blog/archives/345 The symbolism is abundantly rich. First the land of Pharaohs overthrow oppression. Then, throughout the region, in the land of kings, people revolt for their human rights. Barain, Iran, Libya, Algeria– each with its own process of finding voice and dealing with the resistance to change. Would that the next revolution be one of religious authority, the kingdoms of any churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, any institution that uses god to control or abuse. But no revolution, no matter how obviously needed, how right, is automatic. The profound revolution that transpired in Egypt wasn’t the result of social media or technology alone. Facebook, however useful, would not have ignited social revolution if the critical mass and the abusive history and frustration had not been so pervasive and intolerable. People knew for years that they were suffering. People knew that they had gone along with an abusive and exploitive system for so long that they had enough. That’s why Facebook was useful and internet was a catalyst for change. So, do we really have to wait for another century before Catholics and Baptists and Jews and Buddhists and Muslims rise up against Religious Authority Sexual Abuse or other abuse of power? The pattern seems to be that when people finally come forward to reveal abuse and heinous criminal behavior by religious authorities, faithful followers rush to their defense. Perhaps that is because, as Shelby Spong notes, the purpose of religion is to keep people comfortable. Therefore, a challenge to those who represent the institution, however incompetent, corrupt or abusive, is a threat to followers’ comfort that they fight to maintained. I believe a global revolution has begun; it will fully be seen when believers from all traditions step back and believe what they see instead of see what they believe, and then prosecute and hold accountable those who abuse vulnerable children and adults and those who allowed such abuse to happen, even if they are religious leaders. When will that happen? When all parents and all believers anguish over harm done to children, as this short clip from Deliver Us from Evil shows, change will happen. When we write a new commandment to protect children and vulnerable adults, as this song so poignantly begs, a religious and spiritual and social revolution will look like survivors and supporters naming abuse and working together to hold others accountable and to be part of the solution. When survivors and supporters grieve together, when we form partnerships, change will happen. Then we will have a new revolution that probably means that some church leaders go to jail for their part for criminal acts. And it will be up to survivors and supporters to visit them, too, as well as to care for their own woundedness, their own abandoned and abused children in and among them. Meanwhile, thanks to SNAP and Bishop-Accountability and NCPTC and all survivors and supporters that raise awareness and build a critical mass of knowledge and compassion to promote healing and end abuse. Dr. Jaime Romo helps survivors and supporters create Healing and Healthy Environments. His most recent books are: “Healing the Sexually Abused Heart: A Workbook for Survivors, Thrivers, and Supporters;” “Parents Preventing Abuse;” and “Teachers Preventing Abuse.” Contact at jr@jaimeromo.com (760) 842- 6577.
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