[Vision2020] 01-23-06 Daily Times-Call: Group examines religion'srole in dom

[keely emerinemix]

It's about time.

keely


From: "Art Deco" <deco at moscow.com>
To: "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] 01-23-06 Daily Times-Call: Group examines 
religion'srole in domestic violence
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 14:23:28 -0800

Publish Date: 1/23/2006

Group examines religion's role in domestic violence


By Amanda Arthur
The Daily Times-Call

LONGMONT - Leaders of Longmont's faith community have paired up with the 
Longmont Ending Violence Initiative in hopes of putting a stop to domestic 
violence.

A summit planned for February will focus partially on the topic of religion 
and how it relates to domestic violence.

The Rev. Rick Ebbers, who leads The Journey church in Longmont, said he 
wants to do whatever he can to end domestic abuse.

"A lot of us don't want to see it, but we need to be able to address it 
well, to give victims healing and a safe environment," he said.

Ebbers began to better understand the gravity of domestic violence when 
several abuse victims were referred to him after being given advice from 
their church leaders that Ebbers felt was wrong.

"Their church leaders would say, 'Pray about it, and God will intervene,' or 
worse yet, that the Bible calls them to submit to their husbands as they 
would submit to Christ," Ebbers said.

He said such advice is based on Bible verses taken out of context.

"That is an inappropriate response, and it's inappropriate from a biblical 
perspective," he said. "Christ calls us to submit from strength, not 
weakness."

By speaking with victims of domestic violence, Ebbers said, he's learned 
that abusers often align themselves with church leaders, thus leading their 
victims to think, "No one is going to believe me."

"As pastors, we love our churches and love our people and we don't want to 
see bad in people," Ebbers said. "We need to keep our eyes open."

He said those in the faith community and the community as a whole need to 
rally around victims of domestic violence to help them find a way out.

"(Domestic abuse) is not an environment God wants for you," Ebbers said.

Robin Ericson, who heads LEVI, said victims often use religion to encourage 
themselves to forgive their abusers, or that religious beliefs make them 
afraid to leave their abusers for fear of retribution from God.

"With older victims, she will not seek help unless her pastor assures her 
she will go to heaven if she leaves," Ericson said. "Our best hope is that 
her pastor understands the dynamics of domestic violence."

She said younger victims of domestic violence also often stay in abusive 
relationships because they agreed in their wedding vows to stay with their 
spouse "until death do us part."

"It's taken literally to mean 'whatever it takes,' despite the fact that 
they have black eyes or a broken arm," Ericson said.

LEVI hopes to educate the public about domestic violence, its signs and ways 
to help, she said.

The summit, which will take place Feb. 7 and 8, will feature a presentation 
by Lundy Bancroft, a family-issues specialist who works with domestic 
abusers.

Other sessions include discussion on the effects of domestic violence on 
children and domestic violence in teen relationships. A Feb. 8 presentation 
will focus on holding domestic abusers accountable.

"We are still called to love the perpetrators, but hold those perpetrators 
accountable," Ebbers said. "That doesn't mean we dismiss the abuse. It's 
about tough love."

Amanda Arthur can be reached at 303-684-5215, or by e-mail at 
aarthur at times-call.com.



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