How Assemblies of God churches shielded accused predators as they abused children
www.nbcnews.com
NBC News uncovered a 50-year pattern of sex abuse, silence and cover-up in the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination.

NBC News uncovered a 50-year pattern of sex abuse, silence and cover-up in the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination.

A children’s pastor was caught filming girls in a church bathroom in Arkansas. Elders suspended him for a few weeks.

In Illinois, a preacher was accused of sexually abusing children. Church leaders sent him to therapy rather than call police.

In California, a worship minister went to prison for molesting boys. His congregation threw him a party when he returned.

All of these men remained in ministry in the Assemblies of God, the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination. All went on to abuse more children.

    • village604@adultswim.fanEnglish
      52·
      2 days ago

      I wouldn’t be surprised if the rate of cross dressing was higher than average with that demographic.

      • frongt@lemmy.zip
        2·
        2 days ago

        I wonder how that works given the priestly vestments like cassocks. Do they wear it because they’re comfortable in it like a dress? Do they wear it and then think “oh this is nice actually”? Or is just not statistically significant? Worth a study.

        • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          The AG didn’t wear vestments. At most, it’s a suit and tie; and that’s only in the super old school churches or the mega churches like James River Assembly.

          They like to pretend it’s because they’re not super judgey, but the reality is if you don’t walk in looking exactly like what ever that particular church does… you clearly have some repenting to do.

          (I should know. I grew up in an AG church. They’re allergic to diversity and critical thinking.)