In the Name of All That's Holy: A Theory of Clergy Malfeasance

(Hardback)

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Anson Shupe is a sociologist who has studied extensively the problem of clergy (priests, ministers, rabbis, gurus) who take advantage sexually or financially of members of their churches and groupsfrom televangelists like Jim Bakker or Robert Tilton to the infamous Father James Porter who sexually molested at least 200 children. Shupe's focus is not on the psychological motives of these miscreants, but rather on the reaction to their actions by the perpetrators themselves, by the organizations, and by the victims. Anson Shupe is a sociologist who has studied extensively the problem of clergy (priests, ministers, rabbis, gurus) who take advantage sexually or financially of members of their churches and groupsfrom televangelists like Jim Bakker or Robert Tilton to the infamous Father James Porter who sexually molested at least 200 children. Shupe's focus is not on the psychological motives of these miscreants, but rather on the reaction to their actions by the perpetrators themselves, by the organizations, and by the victims.

Reviews

.,."Mandatory reading for everyone in any kind of church leadership position, from simple parish pastor to the pope. It should be the substance of entire courses for any student of ministry because it says what is painful but true, and knowing what is true and accepting it is needed for the church to be what it should be."-Thomas Doyle, O.P., J.C.D. Indiana University - Purdue
The author is not interested in the psychological motivation of the wrongdoers but in the social structures of the religious organizations with the power hierarchies that may actually make abuse inevitable. He investigates how the betrayal of trust happens, how and why it continues, and what are the reactions to it. Recommended for all public and academic collections.-Library Journal
This very readable book is a scholarly work by a fair-minded sociologist who has a masterful command of theories relevant to deviant behavior....This valuable book is a solid and informed sociological contribution to the literature for understanding how structures intended to strengthen religious institutions, in fact, make them vulnerable.-The ISTI Sun
"This very readable book is a scholarly work by a fair-minded sociologist who has a masterful command of theories relevant to deviant behavior....This valuable book is a solid and informed sociological contribution to the literature for understanding how structures intended to strengthen religious institutions, in fact, make them vulnerable."-The ISTI Sun
"The author is not interested in the psychological motivation of the wrongdoers but in the social structures of the religious organizations with the power hierarchies that may actually make abuse inevitable. He investigates how the betrayal of trust happens, how and why it continues, and what are the reactions to it. Recommended for all public and academic collections."-Library Journal

Author Bio

ANSON SHUPE is a Professor of Sociology at the joint campus of Indiana State University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, IN.Shupe is the author of numerous books and articles on family violence, religious movements and issues, and criminology/deviance as applied to religion.