The NFL and the church share a culture of silence on abuse

(RNS) Too often, it can be easy to assume that some issues are less prevalent in the church. We forget that, as a collective of individuals shaped by the culture at large, sin is indiscriminate in whom it touches. Many church leaders do not realize that all evils are present in their congregations, especially sins that carry a heavy culture of silence.

A new LifeWay Research poll shows that 74 percent of pastors misjudge the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence within their congregations. Considering that the World Health Organization estimates that 35 percent of women globally have experienced sexual or physical abuse, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that this statistic for men is 25 percent, it is past time pastors learned how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and effectively address it.

After TMZ’s release of the video showing NFL running back Ray Rice assaulting then-girlfriend and now-wife Janay Rice in an elevator, pundits have criticized NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of the case—specifically, that he suspended Rice indefinitely from the league only after the video became public (and after initially suspending him for a mere two games).