419: Formal Patriarchy & Inevitable Harm

Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part II of II]

In this episode Val & Nathan lay out a several reasons why they feel that the LDS church is not able to address the strong correlation between its patriarchal structure, s*xual abuse & s*xual abuse under-reporting. The foundation of this struggle is a refusal to question the divinity of patriarchy...which leads to the patterns outlined in this episode. 

Please note--episodes of this nature are intended to be "hard on system, soft on people." Val & Nathan maintain that no person is actively trying to harm others--but harm is the inevitable outcome of structures that will not confront their own shadows.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 

00:16 Recap of Previous Episode 

01:00 Nathan's Faith Journey and Institutional Critique 

02:43 The Harm of Institutional Patriarchy 

05:11 Centralized Authority and Its Consequences 

07:38 Theological Justifications and Their Flaws 

11:45 The "Ship vs. People" Metaphor 

15:20 Patriarchy in the Book of Jacob 

17:38 Patterns of Abuse and Institutional Response 

21:15 Science vs. Religion: Reconciling Evidence 

25:30 Handling Abuse Internally 

30:41 Legal Counsel and Institutional Protection 

35:32 Credibility Issues and Reporting Abuse 

38:45 Women Reporting to Women: Limitations 

41:24 Conclusion and Call for Change