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.
Was raised in an AofG church until around 12 when my parents abruptly switched to the Catholic church. Altar calls, Jesus camp every summer, youth ministry, speaking in tongues etc. I’ve spent countless hours in therapy unpacking the religious trauma, not only from being raised in it, but from the familial backlash when I walked away from religion entirely.
These places are cesspools of hypocrisy, hatred, and abuse. Despite all the work and healing I’ve done around it, I’m still quietly triggered by this brand of Christianity in particular and any brand of evangelism in general. I distrust anyone who identifies as a member, it’s an immediate repulsion for me.
I work with some folks who are deep into these types of churches and it takes all my grit to maintain composure when they say shit that I instantly recognize as on brand. It disturbs me that countless children are exposed to the ignorance, brainwashing, and blind hatred that are integral to these groups.