Abuse in Religions is a Thing on You Tube



I've been surprised at how many You Tube producers focus on abuse inside organizations in the world of religion. Perhaps it is the same in other countries as well. The style of these videos is "long form." They are not short cuts to the point. People are interviewed for hours, three to five. There is a search of childhood for clues about what is going to happen to them. Then slowly it dawns on women they are being sexually abused and overlooked even though they are major contributors to the effort. 

Alongside abuse is discrimination based on gender. Women are passed over for responsible positions, especially for positions of clergy or clergy-like. It is my theory any branch of Christianity or other religion that forbids women from the highest positions of power sets the stage for sexual abuse. Of course, it appears everywhere but most institutions today do not have codified rules that require discrimination.

We all know, religion is much about emotions. Testimonies about being converted, being "saved" or "finding Jesus" are often accompanied by tears.

What's captivating about You Tube testimony of people leaving the faith is the super-charged emotion put on the screen of these experiences. Plenty of tissues are used in telling the stories. The ones I watch mostly are from the Mormon branch. One of its characteristics is organization based on taking over entirely the lives of members. There are endless gatherings. Along with these and endless meetings to organize the gatherings. Every member has someone monitoring them and following up if they are not attending church events. It's a labor intensive thing. And, all the labor is donated. Parents are away from their children and from each other. When a person leaves, the social circle and social life goes also. Sometimes there are business ties and they are severed as well. An author of fiction could not write a better story than some of those real-life dramas.

I'm sure no one in religion imagined the emotional juices that come from "Jesus loves you" and "you will never have to die" could be matched by the emotional stories of leaving the faith. You Tube has become a force religions cannot match or stop. 

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