By Deborah Yates, Executive Director

How does religious doctrine address domestic violence?

Religious teachings can serve as either a roadblock or a resource in addressing domestic violence. There is nothing in Christian teaching which can rightly be used to justify abuse.  However, there are teachings which can be misused and distorted to suggested that domestic violence may be acceptable or even God’s will.  When these teachings or interpretations of scripture are misused, they become roadblocks to ending the abuse.

Christian teaching that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church is a challenge to husbands to treat their wives with respect and love, not with violence or control.  This teaching can serve as a valuable resource to challenge and prevent domestic violence.

As religious communities, our mandate is to minimize any roadblocks facing abused members of our congregations and to maximize the resources that exit within our religious traditions.

What can the church do to prevent domestic violence?

  • Form a committee to address domestic violence issues.
  • Encourage the clergy to speak out against domestic violence from the pulpit.
  • Invite staff from local domestic violence programs to make educational presentations.
  • Designate a day or month for educating and activating the congregations.
  • Offer pre-marriage counseling dealing with equality, conflict, violence and control.
  • Use available curricula for youth which encourages the values of gender equality and nonviolent conflict resolution.
  • Offer meeting space in your church to the local domestic violence program.
  • Contribute financial support to local domestic violence programs.

Where is the domestic violence program in my community?

S.A.F.E., Inc. is located in Tupelo and serves the following counties in northeast Mississippi: Alcorn, Benton, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union.  1-800-527-7233

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