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Wrestling with a Church Gone Rogue

Wrestling with a Church Gone Rogue

Last updated on: November 19, 2024 at 5:00 am by Matthew Distefano

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Wrestling with a Church Gone Rogue 2024-11-17T09:27:54-06:00 Matthew Distefano

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On a recent episode of Heretic Happy Hour, Keith Giles and I took on some heavy topics—issues that stick in your soul long after the microphones are turned off. If you caught our discussion, you know we dove headfirst into the documentary For Our Daughters, Kristen Du Mez’s searing exploration of sexual assault within the church. This episode wasn’t just hard-hitting; it was necessary. It challenged us to confront a question the institutional church has failed to ask: why do we protect predators while demonizing survivors?

The Church’s Bizarre Priorities

Keith put it plainly: when scandal breaks, the church often rallies around the abuser. And why not? He’s usually “God’s man,” ordained and charismatic, with a congregation that clings to him like a golden calf. The victim? Invisible. Silenced. Branded a disruptor for daring to speak truth. Keith and I lamented how often leaders preach “grace” without accountability, offering what Dietrich Bonhoeffer would call “cheap grace.”

Let’s be clear: forgiveness is not a free pass. Keith nailed it when he said, “You can’t skip over the part where you confess—not just to the church, but to the authorities.” Call it what it is: a crime. And crime demands justice, not a warm handshake and a few months of sabbatical.

Safe Spaces? Not in Most Churches

For those who’ve been harmed, Keith offered sage advice: don’t bring your pain to church leadership. They’re not there to protect you. They’re there to protect the institution. Instead, call a hotline like RAINN (1-800-656-4673) or go straight to law enforcement. The church’s track record makes it clear—it’s often more interested in salvaging its image than tending to the wounds of the brokenhearted.

We see this systemic failing echoed in every corner of Christian culture. The church is so preoccupied with maintaining its brand of holiness that it forgets to embody actual holiness.

The Sins of Sodom—and MAGA Christianity

Our conversation took a sharp turn into the Bible’s misrepresentation. Keith pointed out Ezekiel’s take on Sodom’s sins: arrogance, gluttony, and neglect of the poor—not the supposed LGBTQ+ scapegoat modern Christians love to invoke. Yet, some church leaders weaponize Scripture to condemn queer folks while ignoring the Bible’s overwhelming calls to welcome the migrant, care for the orphan, and love the neighbor.

This hypocrisy is particularly glaring in MAGA Christianity. When MAGA Christians parade as defenders of morality but push policies that tear families apart and deport people to countries they’ve never known, you have to ask: who are they really serving? Certainly not Christ.

In Ezekiel 16:49, the so-called sins of Sodom sound eerily similar to MAGA’s platform. Maybe the real “sodomites” are those who slam the door on the immigrant, the refugee, and the poor. As I said on the show, “If you don’t welcome the immigrant, you’re the sodomite. Let’s be real.”

Resisting with Unity

As our conversation unfolded, we acknowledged that resistance to injustice is often framed as divisive. But Keith flipped that narrative: standing against hate and oppression isn’t about division—it’s about restoring unity. It’s about saying, “No, you won’t tear us apart.”

What does that resistance look like? Sometimes it’s chaining yourself to a detention center gate. Sometimes it’s speaking out when silence feels safer. And sometimes it’s simply refusing to look away when your neighbor is being dragged into the abyss.

Beyond the Abyss

Keith and I wrapped up our discussion with a look at the broader cultural moment. This isn’t just about one abusive pastor or one cruel policy. It’s about an entire system—a toxic blend of nationalism, white supremacy, and religious zealotry—that’s been decades in the making.

MAGA Christianity isn’t just un-Christlike; it’s anti-Christ. It worships power while claiming to worship Jesus. It replaces the cross with a flag and calls it patriotism. If that doesn’t make you nauseous, you’re not paying attention.

In the end, Keith and I agreed: we’re not here to divide but to call people back to what really matters—justice, compassion, and unity. If you’re not with us, fine. But don’t call yourself a Christian while ignoring everything Jesus stood for.

Let’s get real: this fight isn’t going away. And as long as MAGA Christianity keeps churning out division and oppression, we’ll keep showing up to call it out. Because if the church won’t protect the vulnerable, someone has to.

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About Matthew J. Distefano

Matthew J. DiStefano is a writer and business owner dedicated to exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and social justice. He is the author of The Wisdom of Hobbits and the host of the High Minds Podcast, as well as co-host of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast. Matthew engages in open and thought-provoking conversations that challenge conventional beliefs and promote inclusivity. His work centers on dismantling harmful ideologies and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and a more compassionate understanding of spirituality. As a farmer and owner of Happy Woods Farm, Matthew also embraces the joy of cultivating the land and nurturing a sustainable lifestyle. With a unique blend of humor and insight, he invites readers to question, reflect, and ultimately find freedom in their beliefs You can read more about the author here.

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