Abuse victims and lack of culpability - Revision history

GregSmith: Redirected page to Sexual assault victims and lack of culpability

2024-05-27T05:09:32Z

Redirected page to Sexual assault victims and lack of culpability

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	~~{{:Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?}}~~
	~~{{:Question: Did Elder Richard G. Scott teach that victims of abuse are responsible for their abuse?}}~~

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GregSmith at 05:33, 2 May 2024

2024-05-02T05:33:38Z

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GregSmith at 05:31, 2 May 2024

2024-05-02T05:31:44Z

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			{{:Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?}}
			{{:Question: Did Elder Richard G. Scott teach that victims of abuse are responsible for their abuse?}}

	==Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?==		==Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?==

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	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	I remember thinking of my parents and after, realizing that they would still love me; that just because I had been chained, just because I had been kidnapped, just because all these things had happened to me -- that wouldn’t change their love. And I feel so fortunate in that I was able to realize that.		I remember thinking of my parents and after, realizing that they would still love me; that just because I had been chained, just because I had been kidnapped, just because all these things had happened to me—that wouldn’t change their love. And I feel so fortunate in that I was able to realize that.
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2024-04-13T02:56:46Z

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	{{endnotes sources}}		{{endnotes sources}}

	~~==References==~~
	~~{{Reflist}}~~

GregSmith: bot - LDS replace where able, replaced: LDS Church → Church (5)

2024-04-13T02:22:46Z

bot - LDS replace where able, replaced: LDS Church → Church (5)

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	===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===		===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===

	Critics of the ~~LDS~~ Church have complained that Church leaders have commanded members – particularly women—to “fight to the death” in order to protect ourselves from sexual assault. The claims go on to insist that LDS survivors of sexual abuse and assault must feel guilty to be alive.		Critics of the Church have complained that Church leaders have commanded members – particularly women—to “fight to the death” in order to protect ourselves from sexual assault. The claims go on to insist that LDS survivors of sexual abuse and assault must feel guilty to be alive.

	As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse. The Church's position is that victims are not guilty. Past Church leaders have compared the value of "virtue" to the value of one's life. However, current Church statements are clear that victims of sexual assault and abuse are to be treated with love and compassion, not condemnation.		As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse. The Church's position is that victims are not guilty. Past Church leaders have compared the value of "virtue" to the value of one's life. However, current Church statements are clear that victims of sexual assault and abuse are to be treated with love and compassion, not condemnation.
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	In the early ~~LDS~~ Church, violent opponents of the Church in Missouri used rape as a weapon. Crimes like these are alluded to in the Doctrine and Covenants (See {{scripture\|\|DC\|123\|1-17}}) and are utterly denounced as “dark and hellish.”		In the early Church, violent opponents of the Church in Missouri used rape as a weapon. Crimes like these are alluded to in the Doctrine and Covenants (See {{scripture\|\|DC\|123\|1-17}}) and are utterly denounced as “dark and hellish.”

	The Church’s most basic statement of beliefs, The Articles of Faith, states that people are accountable for their own sins and not for mistakes made by others. {{scripture\|\|AoF\|1\|2}}		The Church’s most basic statement of beliefs, The Articles of Faith, states that people are accountable for their own sins and not for mistakes made by others. {{scripture\|\|AoF\|1\|2}}
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	===Elizabeth Smart and the Stick of Chewing Gum===		===Elizabeth Smart and the Stick of Chewing Gum===

	On May 1, 2013, kidnap and rape survivor, Elizabeth Smart, gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University.<ref>Elizabeth Smart, Speech, Johns Hopkins University, 1 May 2013. http://foxbaltimore.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/elizabeth-smart-speaks-at-johns-hopkins-human-trafficking-forum-486.shtml#.UYqpjrUslX3</ref> She was invited there for a conference on sexual abuse and human trafficking. She spoke of the crimes committed against her when she was fourteen years old and living in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time of her abduction and rape, and at the date of this writing, Smart was and is a member of the ~~LDS~~ Church.		On May 1, 2013, kidnap and rape survivor, Elizabeth Smart, gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University.<ref>Elizabeth Smart, Speech, Johns Hopkins University, 1 May 2013. http://foxbaltimore.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/elizabeth-smart-speaks-at-johns-hopkins-human-trafficking-forum-486.shtml#.UYqpjrUslX3</ref> She was invited there for a conference on sexual abuse and human trafficking. She spoke of the crimes committed against her when she was fourteen years old and living in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time of her abduction and rape, and at the date of this writing, Smart was and is a member of the Church.

	In her speech, Smart recalled a lesson taught in school where a used stick of chewing gum was put forward as an analogy for a person who had chosen not to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage. The analogy is grim and loathsome. "No one should ever say that," Smart said. As Smart herself stated, the chewing gum analogy was not part of her religious education. In the ~~LDS~~ Church, parents are considered the chief spiritual educators and guides of their own children. Smart recalled being taught by her LDS parents that virginity was precious but, she added,		In her speech, Smart recalled a lesson taught in school where a used stick of chewing gum was put forward as an analogy for a person who had chosen not to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage. The analogy is grim and loathsome. "No one should ever say that," Smart said. As Smart herself stated, the chewing gum analogy was not part of her religious education. In the Church, parents are considered the chief spiritual educators and guides of their own children. Smart recalled being taught by her LDS parents that virginity was precious but, she added,

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
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	The phrase is used by critics of the Church but it also sometimes appears as a folk-saying among members. Particularly people of the Baby Boom generation who lived in the American heartland of the Church may remember hearing this phrase when they were young. Sometimes it came complete with clumsy but colorful and memorable object lessons similar to the stick-of-gum Elizabeth Smart mentioned in her 2013 speech. However, it’s important to distinguish unofficial slogans and crude demonstrations from what Church leaders in positions to pronounce an official stance on the issue actually said. Well-meaning but badly mangled interpretations passed around by provincial teachers and leaders aren’t uncommon in an organization like the Church which turns most of its administration over to non-professional volunteers. But being common doesn’t make these interpretations into official Church positions.		The phrase is used by critics of the Church but it also sometimes appears as a folk-saying among members. Particularly people of the Baby Boom generation who lived in the American heartland of the Church may remember hearing this phrase when they were young. Sometimes it came complete with clumsy but colorful and memorable object lessons similar to the stick-of-gum Elizabeth Smart mentioned in her 2013 speech. However, it’s important to distinguish unofficial slogans and crude demonstrations from what Church leaders in positions to pronounce an official stance on the issue actually said. Well-meaning but badly mangled interpretations passed around by provincial teachers and leaders aren’t uncommon in an organization like the Church which turns most of its administration over to non-professional volunteers. But being common doesn’t make these interpretations into official Church positions.

	Feminist scholars outside the ~~LDS~~ Church have noted that the notion of victims of sexual assault being expected to fight to the death existed outside the Church in mainstream American social and legal culture.		Feminist scholars outside the Church have noted that the notion of victims of sexual assault being expected to fight to the death existed outside the Church in mainstream American social and legal culture.

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

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2024-04-12T19:27:07Z

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	===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===		===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===

	Critics of the LDS Church have complained that Church leaders have commanded members – particularly ~~women -- to~~ “fight to the death” in order to protect ourselves from sexual assault. The claims go on to insist that LDS survivors of sexual abuse and assault must feel guilty to be alive.		Critics of the LDS Church have complained that Church leaders have commanded members – particularly women—to “fight to the death” in order to protect ourselves from sexual assault. The claims go on to insist that LDS survivors of sexual abuse and assault must feel guilty to be alive.

	As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse. The Church's position is that victims are not guilty. Past Church leaders have compared the value of "virtue" to the value of one's life. However, current Church statements are clear that victims of sexual assault and abuse are to be treated with love and compassion, not condemnation.		As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse. The Church's position is that victims are not guilty. Past Church leaders have compared the value of "virtue" to the value of one's life. However, current Church statements are clear that victims of sexual assault and abuse are to be treated with love and compassion, not condemnation.
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	Even though the wording might be muddled by the limited vocabulary or perhaps by the sensibilities of the times in which Mormon or his translator lived in, Mormon’s sorrow for what happened to the women is unmistakable. He wrote of an atrocity. Mormon did not condemn the women for being kidnapped, raped, tortured, murdered, and cannibalized. He did condemn the “great abominations” of their attackers.		Even though the wording might be muddled by the limited vocabulary or perhaps by the sensibilities of the times in which Mormon or his translator lived in, Mormon’s sorrow for what happened to the women is unmistakable. He wrote of an atrocity. Mormon did not condemn the women for being kidnapped, raped, tortured, murdered, and cannibalized. He did condemn the “great abominations” of their attackers.

	If Mormon was influenced by cultural traces of the Law of Moses, he would have believed that when a woman was forcibly deprived of her virginity, she remained innocent. Despite the wording, he would have believed they had lost their virginity, not their virtue. In the Law of Moses, penalties against attackers were put in place to serve a purpose similar to restitution. (See {{scripture\|\|Deut\|22\|25-29}}) Once the Law was satisfied, it was as if the victim’s former state – her “chastity and ~~virtue” -- was~~ restored. However, the men who victimized women at Moriantum were never lawfully penalized.		If Mormon was influenced by cultural traces of the Law of Moses, he would have believed that when a woman was forcibly deprived of her virginity, she remained innocent. Despite the wording, he would have believed they had lost their virginity, not their virtue. In the Law of Moses, penalties against attackers were put in place to serve a purpose similar to restitution. (See {{scripture\|\|Deut\|22\|25-29}}) Once the Law was satisfied, it was as if the victim’s former state – her “chastity and virtue”—was restored. However, the men who victimized women at Moriantum were never lawfully penalized.

	Perhaps part of what Mormon lamented was the fact that the injustices would remain unaddressed. Maybe, as he saw it, the crimes against the women were deepened because no legal version of “restitution” would ever be made. In this way, the legal construct of the women’s “chastity and virtue” was never restored even though their true spiritual virtue could remain intact. Perhaps the problem with this passage is not, as critics suggest, that Mormon equated virtue with virginity but that his cultural sense of the efficacy of legal restitution prompted him to overstate what was lost.		Perhaps part of what Mormon lamented was the fact that the injustices would remain unaddressed. Maybe, as he saw it, the crimes against the women were deepened because no legal version of “restitution” would ever be made. In this way, the legal construct of the women’s “chastity and virtue” was never restored even though their true spiritual virtue could remain intact. Perhaps the problem with this passage is not, as critics suggest, that Mormon equated virtue with virginity but that his cultural sense of the efficacy of legal restitution prompted him to overstate what was lost.
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	===Lingering Controversy===		===Lingering Controversy===

	As we have progressed through history, people in general – both inside and outside the ~~Church -- have~~ become more sensitized to sexual crimes. We use a more sympathetic vocabulary and much of the societal stigma that victims of sexual crimes have suffered has disappeared. What was once cloaked in flowery rhetoric can now be discussed in more precise and compassionate terms. This shift in language has been critical in assisting victims in the necessary healing after sexual assault and abuse.		As we have progressed through history, people in general – both inside and outside the Church—have become more sensitized to sexual crimes. We use a more sympathetic vocabulary and much of the societal stigma that victims of sexual crimes have suffered has disappeared. What was once cloaked in flowery rhetoric can now be discussed in more precise and compassionate terms. This shift in language has been critical in assisting victims in the necessary healing after sexual assault and abuse.

	Despite the current clarity of the Church’s position on sexual assault, the controversy still flares to life. Although older statements from church leaders have been interpreted in various ways and are of historical interest, it is incumbent upon those addressing this topic to keep original contexts in mind and to ultimately use current statements when describing the position of the modern church.		Despite the current clarity of the Church’s position on sexual assault, the controversy still flares to life. Although older statements from church leaders have been interpreted in various ways and are of historical interest, it is incumbent upon those addressing this topic to keep original contexts in mind and to ultimately use current statements when describing the position of the modern church.
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	{{endnotes sources}}		{{endnotes sources}}

			==References==
			{{Reflist}}

DavidSmith: header

2023-12-04T04:35:55Z

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			{{Header}}

	==Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?==		==Question: Do Mormons believe that sexual assault victims ought to fight to the death?==
	===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===		===As far as we can determine, no senior Church leader has ever used the words "fight to the death" to describe how members should respond to sexual assault or abuse===

DavidSmith: DavidSmith moved page Sexual assault victims and lack of culpability to Abuse victims and lack of culpability: broadening the subject

2023-12-04T04:13:45Z

DavidSmith moved page Sexual assault victims and lack of culpability to Abuse victims and lack of culpability: broadening the subject

← Older revision	Revision as of 04:13, 4 December 2023
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DavidSmith: consolidated content

2023-12-04T04:13:23Z

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 Despite the current clarity of the Church’s position on sexual assault, the controversy still flares to life.  Although older statements from church leaders have been interpreted in various ways and are of historical interest, it is incumbent upon those addressing this topic to keep original contexts in mind and to ultimately use current statements when describing the position of the modern church.
 {{endnotes sources}}
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+<blockquote>The victim must do all in his or her power to stop the abuse. Most often, the victim is innocent because of being disabled by fear or the power or authority of the offender. At some point in time, however, the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse. Your priesthood leader will help assess your responsibility so that, if needed, it can be addressed. Otherwise the seeds of guilt will remain and sprout into bitter fruit. Yet no matter what degree of responsibility, from absolutely none to increasing consent, the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ can provide a complete cure. (See D&C 138:1–4.) Forgiveness can be obtained for all involved in abuse. (See A of F 1:3.) Then comes a restoration of self-respect, self-worth, and a renewal of life.