A church in Indiana has apologized for creating what they thought was a “humorous” video where a male youth pastor beats two girls for breaking the rules.
The Colonial Hills Church youth program, Youth E.D.G.E., thought it would be hilarious to teach 7th graders that violence against women was justified when naughty girls get out of line.
The blog Stuff Fundies Like reported that the video was originally posted to the youth group’s Facebook page but was taken down after people complained about the violence against women.
Youth pastor Nate Utley demonstrates the importance of Youth E.D.G.E. rules and regulations by beating a young girl, who tells him to shut up, with a plastic baseball bat.
“Don’t disrespect or talk back to your leaders at any time,” Utley warns.
Utley beats a second girl with the baseball bat because she failed to put a pizza box in the trash can.
Young Adults Pastor Keith Lewis explained in an email response that the video “was meant to be a humorous introduction for the incoming 7th graders,”
He added, “After posting this video online, several folks alerted us to a perspective that we had regrettably overlooked.
“These friends expressed their concern that the video demonstrated a disrespect toward women, a trivializing of abuse, a depreciation of victims, and an undermining of the edifying grace of the gospel.
“While the video was certainly recorded to be more of a slap-stick spoof, we understand that our lack of discernment may have been hurtful for some and damaging to the cause of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we firmly believe in the equality and unity of all believers in Christ (Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 3:7), and so we apologize for the apparent dishonor accorded to women in this video.”
Lewis also promised that the Senior Pastor, Charles Phelps, would review the video and that he would make an effort to do a better job as mentor.
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Kimberley A. Johnson (BIO) is the author of The Virgin Diaries and an activist for women’s rights. Like her on Facebook, Twitter or follow her on FB HERE. |
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