Kyle & Kari, Part 2 - The 2x2s: Uncovering Widespread Sexual Abuse
Aug 23, 2023
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Former members of the 2x2s, Kyle and Kari, dive into the widespread sexual abuse within their religious group, sharing stories and the shocking revelation of an overseer's abuse. They discuss the importance of survivors sharing their experiences, the lack of precautions taken at meetings, and the connection between doctrine and abuse cover-ups. They also touch on a crisis within the ministry and wrap up with podcast updates.
The Two by Two church is facing a widespread sexual abuse crisis, with hundreds of perpetrators named by multiple victims.
The systemic problem of abuse within the church stems from its secretive and authoritarian structure, allowing abusers to go unchecked and cover up allegations.
Power dynamics and cognitive dissonance within the church contribute to the perpetuation of abuse and make it difficult for victims to come forward and the community to address the issue effectively.
Deep dives
Revelation of Sexual Abuse by Overseers
Recently, disturbing revelations of sexual abuse within the Two by Two church have come to light. In an emergency meeting, it was revealed that a well-respected overseer, who had passed away, was a sexual predator who had abused children and women. A letter written by the current overseer exposed these crimes, leading to shock and disbelief within the community.
Growing Awareness and Sharing of Survivor Stories
Following the release of the letter, a surge of survivors began speaking out and sharing their stories. The support group for former members of the church has seen a influx of messages from survivors who have experienced sexual abuse by workers or other members. The number of group members has skyrocketed, with many individuals considering leaving the church due to the current abuse crisis and how it has been mishandled.
Resistance to Change and Optimism for Reform
While some members of the Two by Two church are dismissive of the abuse crisis, claiming it is a test of faith, others are advocating for change and taking a stand against the systemic issues within the church. Internal pressure is growing for transparency, accountability, and an end to the culture of silence and cover-ups. Many members are engaged in healthy conversations and questioning the beliefs and structure of the church. The crisis has sparked a period of significant turmoil and uncertainty, with the potential for serious reform and a shift in power dynamics.
The systemic problem of abuse
The podcast reveals that the issue of abuse within the church is not limited to a few bad apples, but is a systemic problem deeply rooted in the structure and culture of the religion. The secretive and authoritarian nature of the church, where individuals in positions of authority hold immense power over members' lives, creates an environment ripe for abuse. The religion's hierarchical structure allows abusers to go unchecked as they move around, cover up allegations, and protect their own interests. This systemic problem requires comprehensive change to address and prevent further abuse.
The power dynamics and cognitive dissonance
The podcast highlights the power dynamics and cognitive dissonance that exist within the church and contribute to the perpetuation of abuse and the difficulty of addressing it. The workers, overseers, and leaders of the church hold a tremendous amount of authority, making it challenging for victims or members to speak out against abuse. Additionally, the belief that workers are chosen by God and living out their faith in a unique way creates cognitive dissonance when allegations of abuse surface. The concept of the 'living witness doctrine' further complicates matters, as revealing the truth about workers' misconduct can lead to a crisis of faith. These factors make it difficult for victims to come forward and for the broader community to comprehend and address the abuse within the church.
In part two of their interview, Kyle and Kari, former members of the 2x2s (the group that Meagan grew up in), talk about the Facebook group they created for people leaving the group, which created a forum for people to share their stories for the first time. They discuss the overseer who was found dead in a hotel and the letter that exposed his sexual abuse, and how Kyle and Kari were then flooded with messages from survivors who'd been sexually abused within the religion, with hundreds of perpetrators named (many by multiple victims), and the earth-shattering implications for the future of the group.
Content warning: this episode will center around discussions of sexual abuse.
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