Sermon : On Confronting Domestic Violence

According to the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council, there were more than 60,000 reported incidents of domestic violence in 1993. That means it wouldn’t be a big stretch of the imagination if some of these batterers were counted among the congregations of every church of every faith in this city. So why is it, then, my fellow pastor, minister, elder, priest and rabbi, that this crucial issue isn’t confronted from the pulpit more often?

Some might say the reason for the silence is sexism. Men hold the power roles in most religion while women, the prime target of domestic abuse, make up the majority of our congregations.

But I say there’s more to it than that. In September, the Southern Area Clergy Council joined with groups including the the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, the South Coast Ecumenical Council, the District Attorney’s Task Force on Family Violence and Psychological Services for Adults to sponsor a violence prevention workshop.

The goal was to provide easy access to experts and programs that could help train and empower women, men and children to deal with domestic violence. But only a few of the 50 clergy and lay people who attended--including Rev. Ronald Stovall of Florence Missionary Baptist Church and Dr. Xavier Tyrone Carter of Revived Faith Church--took advantage of the experts there. Most participants wanted to hear about ways to deal with gangs.

I think that’s because it’s easier to deal with a problem that seems “out yonder” rather than try to influence people you have a relationship with.

When it comes to domestic violence, it means challenging a batterer who you might socialize with or who might serve as an usher or on a board of deacons.

Sure, it’s not easy. I know one minister lost some members of his church. Another saw offerings drop off. One even had his masculinity questioned.

But it’s necessary. Violence is spilling over to all levels of our society. But where are they learning it from? I say if we tackle problems at home, where it begins, we’ll all benefit.