Godless Girl

Photo © Hamed Masoumi

The dynamic between powerful leaders and their loyal followers seems to promote the very best and worst in people. We could talk about the rampant child abuse all over the world by clergy of all religions (and feel free to bring that up in the comments below), but tonight I want to talk about predatory sex against women.

A recent Baylor University study shows that:

One in every 33 women who attend worship services regularly has been the target of sexual advances by a religious leader, a survey released Wednesday says.

The study found that the problem is so pervasive that it almost certainly involves a wide range of denominations, religious traditions and leaders.

***

…Women older than 18 who attended worship services at least once a month were asked in the survey whether they had received “sexual advances or propositions” from a religious leader.

The study found that close to one in 10 respondents — male and female — reported having known about clergy sexual misconduct occurring in a congregation they had attended.

(Source. You can read the study here.)

That last bit is true about me.