Beyond BJU: Exposing Fundamentalism Andrew Pledger

On May 7, 2024, Bob Jones University declared the appointment of their sixth president.

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Leah Worley’s time at BJU was marked by an invasive surveillance regime and a suffocating culture of authoritarianism. Targeted for her appearance, she found herself under constant scrutiny, with every aspect of her identity dissected and judged under the unforgiving lens of the university's rigid moral compass. Leah recounts chilling episodes of being stalked, publicly shamed, sexually harassed, and subjected to relentless intimidation by authority figures determined to break her down. Yet, amidst this turmoil, Leah’s narrative is also one of awakening and empowerment. She describes the turning point when she decided to take control of her life, employing strategies to evade undue surveillance and reclaim her autonomy. This episode is a rallying cry for all those who have felt the weight of coercive control, a testament to the power of personal agency, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, hope and renewal are possible.

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In this episode, we delve into the experiences of Joshua Bellis, whose family was intricately entwined with Bob Jones University (BJU). He shares his experiences of growing up as a missionary kid in Canada. His parents were missionaries with the Gospel Fellowship Association, a mission agency operated by BJU.
Joshua also shares the story of his grandfather (James Bellis) who, despite his dedicated service to BJU, was neglected in his time of need, leading to a serious injury. Shockingly, it took a lawsuit threat for the institution to take responsibility. He also recounts a disturbing incident involving his uncle, a high-ranking BJU member, and the university's mishandling of a scandal, revealing the institution's prioritization of image over moral responsibility.
Finally, Joshua opens up about his father's fall from leadership. Join us as we explore these stories of betrayal, disillusionment, and the struggle for justice.

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In this episode, Erin Burchwell shares stories about her travels with BJU's missions teams. She also discusses her upbringing in Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville. Erin Burchwell is a Columbus, Ohio-based florist, designer and illustrator. She grew up as a faculty kid on the campus of Bob Jones University. In 2014, Erin interviewed with GRACE, an independent ombudsman who reviewed the University’s mishandling of sexual assault reports. She and others chose to break their anonymity in the report when the school fired the GRACE team.
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CONTENT WARNING: sexual abuse and victim blaming - Read the full GRACE Report here: https://www.netgrace.org/bju
In this episode, I read some highlights of the GRACE Report of BJU. In this updated episode, I add some of the recommendations section. The GRACE report is a 301-page report on the mishandling of sex abuse allegations at Bob Jones University. The report shows Bob Jones University responding to rape and abuse claims with woeful ignorance of state law, a near-complete lack of training in psychology and trauma counseling best practices, and an overarching campus culture that blames women and girls for any abuse they suffer, and which paints all sexuality-from rape to consensual sex-as equivalent misdeeds.

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Erin Burchwell is a Columbus, Ohio-based florist, designer and illustrator. She grew up as a faculty kid on the campus of Bob Jones University. In 2014, Erin interviewed with GRACE, an independent ombudsman who reviewed the University’s mishandling of sexual assault reports. She and others chose to break their anonymity in the report when the school fired the GRACE team.

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Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

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