Investigation Unearths Hundreds Of Abuse Allegations In Independent Baptist Churches

An investigation has uncovered hundreds of abuse allegations against leaders of a conservative, loosely affiliated network of evangelical Christian churches.

The report, identified 412 abuse allegations in 187 independent fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches and institutions across 40 states and Canada, with some cases reaching as far back as the 1970s.

About 2.5 percent of American adults identify as independent fundamental Baptists, according to the a higher percentage than those who identify as Episcopalians, Presbyterians or members of the Assemblies of God.

The most well-known independent fundamental Baptists are likely the Duggars, who starred on TLC’s reality show “19 Kids and Counting.” The show was canceled in 2015 after had been accused of sexually abusing girls, including four of his sisters, and that his parents had kept the abuse hidden.

America’s estimated 6,000 IFB churches can be part of loosely tied fellowships or pastors’ networks. There are also shared children’s camps, conferences and church-affiliated colleges. However, IFB churches don’t have the that unite more mainstream evangelical groups, like the Southern Baptist Convention.

Read the entire article here: Herndon Gazette.

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