When Violence Hits the Religious Home: Raising Awareness about Domestic Violence in Seminaries and amongst Religious Leaders

Abstract

The focus of this article by our research team looks specifically at the teaching of domestic violence classes in a seminary or religious context, as well as the ongoing professional education of religious leaders, such as pastors. It also considers ways to introduce therapeutic staff to the unique vulnerabilities of highly religious clients who have been abused or who act abusively. Based on data that we have collected at North American theological seminaries and in congregations, we explain some of the challenges of including instruction about domestic violence in a religious context.

‘When She Calls for Help’—Domestic Violence in Christian Families

“…While such language often assists the women in recovery of abuse, many of the women themselves noted that their local churches also offered strong support for a convention of patriarchal marriage and the attendant abuse that was suffered by the women in such marriages. Indeed, several women talked of their previous acceptance of abuse with use of religious language that implied submission and, as one writer described, the notion that such suffering and violence was "their lot" in life (McMullin et al 2012).…”

“…In other words, the prevalence of domestic violence in Western Christian families correlates with the prevalence of such violence in the general population. What differs, however, is what has been called the added "vulnerability" of Christian women, who speak of both abuse and marriage in spiritual overtones (McMullin et al 2012). Such women use religious language to describe why they remain in or return to relationships that involve domestic violence, citing the undesirability of divorce, the need to love and honour husbands, and the power of forgiveness and prayer to generate change in the abuser.…”

“…Research by theologian Rod Buxton demonstrates the contrast that exists in some Christian churches between offering hope for those in need while registering domestic violence as a taboo subject for discussion (Buxton 2000). Finally, the patriarchal language of Christian religions can be criticised as being conducive to the submission of women and thus acting as a contributing factor to domestic violence in some Christian families (McMullin et al 2012).…”

10-Year Study of Christian Church Support for Domestic Violence Victims: 2005-2015

“…Both historical and current religious beliefs along with long-standing perspectives of power are deeply embedded in the American mind-set as social and cultural norms (Jennings, 2014; McMullin, Nason-Clark, Fisher-Townsend, & Holtmann, 2015). Gender role expectations such as male dominance and female submission are conducive to both self-blaming and religious guilt experienced by female victims for failing to hold their family or marriage together at all costs (Nash, 2006).…”

“…McMullin et al (2015) argued that the first professional that a victim of domestic violence seeks help from needs to understand both the religious beliefs of the victim, and the extensive impact of domestic violence. A trusted pastor or clergy member is often the first person a victim of domestic violence turns to for guidance and counsel (Kroeger & Nason-Clark, 2010).…”