Product Description

Using case study after case study of Independent Fundamental Baptist pastors accused, indicted, or convicted of child molesting, the author shows that these men continue to serve in the ministry unhindered. With surprising quotes from public leaders of Christian Fundamentalism such as the late Jerry Falwell, the author shows that many ultra-conservative Baptist churches grant their pastors total immunity and blame and isolate their victims instead. In easy to understand language, Massi explains the theology of American Christian Fundamentalism and shows how it has departed radically from historic Christian belief into a gender-based, externalized pietism that evaluates spiritual success in terms of numbers and political power. She paints a frightening picture of a religion gone horribly wrong, in which child molesters can easily pick up the lingo, amass a following, and hold themselves above accountability by merging into a system that refuses to police itself or institute rules of behavior for its clergy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1029822 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

Illuminates Many Aspects of the Need to Demand Clergy Accountability
"[SCHIZOPHRENIC CHRISTIANITY] successfully illuminates many aspects of this battle for clergy accountability and shows how Christian fundamentalism allows monstrous men to prey on the flock while still maintaining a mask of goodness. The book tells the real deal on "big bad Baptist business as usual," and Jeri tells it out of love for her faith.

She shows how, in this "business," the value of human life is traded off for the power and image of the religious leaders.

Using case studies of Independent Fundamental Baptist pastors accused or convicted of child molestation, the book reveals how pastors' young victims become nothing more than a cost of doing business for a religion gone horribly wrong.

The autonomous churches provide a porous structure that abandons accountability in favor of independence and immunity for the leaders. With no system for oversight, wolves are able to infiltrate with ease.

"If a man has charm and natural charisma, it's harder for a man to get a driver's license than to become an IFB preacher," explains Jeri.

At the same time, the highly authoritarian theology of Christian fundamentalism renders the sheep all the more trusting, submissive and vulnerable. They are effectively indoctrinated to become perfect prey.

With still more insights drawn from psychological research, Jeri points out that one of the defining characteristics of a sociopath is the strong desire for personal autonomy and control over others. What better place for a sociopath to achieve that end than in autonomous churches where pastors carry such prestige and authority that their words are not questioned and where systems of oversight are nonexistent?

It's a scary picture, but it's a picture that many of us have seen up close for ourselves. We know it to be true."

Taken from StopBaptistPredators blog, with the express permission of Christa Brown, founder of the Baptist arm of SNAP, the Survivors Network of Clergy Abuse.

Needed to be read.
I just finished reading Jeri's book, "Schizophrenic Christianity". I found the book to be well written. I believe most pastor's and Christians would say that it was a book and issue that needs to be written and addressed.

I did not find it as a wild-eyed attack against fundamentalism, for several times Jeri stated there were good fundamentalist churches, though clearly in her view not the best form of church government or approach.

I appreciated her taking the time to define her terms. This is very important in dealing with a subject like this. I also fear that many radical fundamentalist will not like this book, as it may hit too close to home.

I certainly differ with Jeri on some doctrinal issues, being a SBC pastor, that might go without saying. I do believe she down plays the place of the local church too much in an effort to support the NT clear teaching of a "universal" church. There are some of us who hold both. I agree that the NT clearly teaches a plurality of elders...that is the form of government in the church I pastor.

Being a pre-mil dispy, I may not have liked or agreed with her statements concerning the same; although I know this was not the point of the book. I too am ashamed sometimes at what comes out of my camp...but I still feel it is the most biblically consistant...even with our nuts.

Bottom line is that any system that has little to no accountablity ,while not making abusers, certainly provides a place for them to exist and gain power.

Finally, I appreciated the appendix about the Free Church of North America (Free Presbyterian) in the book. It further illustrates my contention that ultimately it is not the system that brings corruption, but men's hearts within any system. This is not to say that some systems are not better than others.

While Jeri and I disagree on several things, I want to thank her for this book. I would recommend others to read it. It never hurts for us to look at ourselves and remember our loyalty and call is to Christ alone.

Pastor Tony Pierce

A Must Read
This book is a "must read" for all current and former independent, fundamental Baptists. It is long on facts and short on opinions...read it and draw your own conclusions. I started it this afternoon and couldn't put it down until I finished it. If you've ever been involved with a fundamental church, this book should have some affect on you - it may upset you, it may sadden you, but it will make you think.

-Sonya Edwards