Rape Culture: A Spiritual Issue of Concern to Churches

Some Austin churches are presenting The Hunting Ground, a documentary about the horrors of
sexual assault and rape culture on college campuses nationwide. These topics are becoming a
spiritual issue of concern because they illustrate the continuance of a patriarchal culture - an idea
that churches are trying to combat.

According to the Texas Penal Code, sexual assault and rape legally have the same definition.
Rape culture is defined as society blaming victims of sexual assault and normalized male sexual
violence, according to the Rape Crisis Centre. The University of Texas at Austin issued results
from a study conducted by the Association of American Universities. The study states that 23.1
percent of female undergraduates nationwide have reported being a victim of sexual assault since
the time of their enrollment.

The Sanctuary Senior Pastor Brent Bowden says the church views rape and rape culture
negatively. The problem is the continuance of a patriarchal culture and the solution is to include
the topic in spiritual discussion. By choosing to present The Hunting Ground, churches are
trying to bring the Bible into modern conversation while trying to repair the churchs negative
reputation of secrecy regarding rape culture.

Bowden and The University Baptist Church Senior Pastor Larry Bethune both agree that
Christianity lacks the courage to address topics on sexuality. Bowden says there is not enough

emphasis given in discussion surrounding sexual assault, sexual identity and orientation, and
sexual practices in the church.

In tradition, there is not a division between spiritual and social issues, Bowden said.

Bowden says spiritual issues and the worlds social issues are the same. Bethune describes the
similarity as, Any crime against [one person] is a crime against all humanity. Spiritually,
Christianity is a faith that brings concern for the marginalized and hurt. Socially, sexual assault
is an intense form of marginalization, hurt and pain, according to Bowden. In addition, Bethune
says that rape culture is connected to gender issues of equality.

Biblically, Bethune says the Bible contains stories and commandments that give women equal
spiritual rights and the spiritual equality of women is a vision of Gods ideal. Therefore, the
patriarchal ideas that spread in society are not literally inscribed in the Bible. Bethune says the
Bible calls for Christians to treat all people with dignity and respect.

The continuance of a patriarchal culture is a regression which extends this false construct to the
next generation of women and men, Bethune said. Consequently, the church, along with the
wider culture, bears responsibility for supporting a patriarchal culture that encourages the rape
culture.

Bowden says some churches do blame victims of sexual assault due to the stigma of giving men
the benefit of the doubt and lack of true understanding of personal impact of such a crime.

Besides the spiritual concern for the marginalized and hurt, Christians believe that ones
sexuality is a central part of the identity. Bowden describes rape as a violation of a persons
autonomy.

Christine Williams is a college junior at the University of North Texas and part of the
congregation at The Potters House in Dallas. She says ones sexuality is part of ones identity
and it should not be violated.

Sexual sin comes from the obedience of the Ten Commandments. Thou shall not steal.
Stealing someones virginity is stealing, and is a sin. Sex is not a sin. It is how you go about
obtaining it that can become sinful, Williams said.

Williams agrees that churches should educate on rape because they have the right to broadcast
their view on the subject. However, she said that one should not solely listen to the church for all
answers regarding the matter.

The church is run by people, and people are not perfect. I believe you should to talk to God to
find knowledge on sexual sin, Williams said.

Besides the Ten Commandments, Alex Watson, a college senior at the University of Texas at
Austin and a member of the Texas Gospel Fellowship, says spreading the gospel is an additional
reason on why churches are choosing to present The Hunting Ground.

It is all about spreading the gospel, or spreading a new wave of good news and education for
Christians about a complicated issue, especially on college campuses, Watson said.

By choosing to show The Hunting Ground, Bowden hopes to combat the image of the churchs
lack of emphasis on sexual topics. He says it is the main challenge that churches must face in
order to continue to provide a haven for people who need security and peace. Instead of
churches hiding in secrecy and shame, Bowden says they should be more aware in order to help.

These are issues the church cares about. Victims need to know that they can seek support
within the church and in return, the churchs voice needs to be heard again, Bowden said.