Will G.R.A.C.E. Be Present At Bob Jones University?
As I reported at Truth Wins Out, G.R.A.C.E. has begun a formal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Bob Jones University (BJU) network.
At present, they are seeking for anyone who was the victim of sexual abuse or assualt by anyone associated with Bob Jones University or who reported abuse or sexual crimes by anyone, regardless of affiliation, to anyone associated with Bob Jones University to complete the confidential online survey before the deadline of April 30, 2013.
In their role as the lead plaintiff in the US Supreme Court Case Bob Jones University vs IRS (1983), BJU established themselves as a defender of right wing Christianity by asserting their right to enforce segregated dating and prohibit “miscegenation” on their campus.
This campus also became an obligatory campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates until the 2012 election.
BJU exercises dominance within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) sub-culture, which is divided into camps around several different schools—BJU, Pensacola Christian College, Hyles-Anderson College (where convicted sex offender Jack Schaap presided until this past summer), Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Baptist Bible College of Clarks Summit, etc.) but where BJU has always been the leading voice.
In 2011, G.R.A.C.E. was hired by the Association of Baptists for Worldwide Evangelicalism (ABWE) to investigate charges of sexual abuse committed by missionaries connect to the the Association of Baptists for Worldwide Evangelism (ABWE). This organization is connected to the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) network where BJU serves as the major educational institution training this network’s ministers and missionaries.
However in February 2012, the ABWE fired GRACE for reasons that have yet to be made known on their website though they have listed other updates regarding this investigation. ABWE alleges that GRACE’s investigation was improperly conducted.
A number of people within the LGBT+ community that BJUnity supports have been sexual abuse or sexual assault victims.
More as this story continues to unfold…
Photo via flickr user japedi