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Religious institutions shatter the foundations of faith when their prophets create misery

Marianne Thamm
By Marianne Thamm
1 Dec 2024
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Far too often, the very thing that gives people a sense of security and belonging turns on them.

The resignation of Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, over the cover-up of serial abuse by Church of England volunteer John Smyth in the 1970s must have yanked the spiritual rug out from under the feet of many believers. Or perhaps not?

There is always the human compulsion to split, to isolate the cancer, remove it, sometimes ignore it, and carry on regardless. It is the chiaroscuro of life – light and dark.

For those deeply affected – the victims, their families, friends and communities – what remains when the institution that wraps itself around you and embodies the foundations and beliefs that give your life meaning is found wanting?

And what is it about organised religion that it attracts so many tortured souls disguised as saints? The Catholic Church has a shameful and long history of enabling abusers around the globe. It is now written in the annals of time. Now it’s the Church of England.

Read more: John Smyth horror — Anglican Archbishop Makgoba appoints panel to probe handling of abuse reports

In South Africa and elsewhere, not a month goes by without some evangelical pastor being accused of rape, assault, sexual abuse, impropriety, money laundering or telling their congregants to eat grass.

What’s happening?

Inquiry and doubt


Formal religion offers a sense of community and certainty with its dogmas, hierarchies, vivid costumes, atmospheric smoke and smells, the choir’s voices raised in song and praise.

Although we cannot ever claim to know the nature of the world or the universe, many surrender what they would believe to be their God-given brains to dogma and rhetoric.

In the secular world, politics has replaced religion, or it has at least been blended into the spectacle with its peculiar accoutrements, bells and whistles, and mostly male prophetic leadership.

If you’re a prosperity Christian, you might park your Lamborghini right in front on Sunday and wear your most recognisable designer brands to show the world that your god is “a blesser”.

religious church Churches are crumbling under the weight of scandals. (Image: Midjourney AI) | Right: Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, who resigned. (Photo: Toby Melville / Getty Images) | Left: Former Church of England volunteer John Smyth. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)



Here you say “I believe” instead of “I think”, which is why charlatans are able to farm mass blind faith devoid of mysticism, inquiry and doubt. This they pervert into personal power over others.

Inquiry and doubt, in the end, are the two most reliable compasses for life. But not everyone likes to use a compass; they rather leave that up to the big guy with the mic. And there are many good guys with the mic, make no mistake.

Some God-fearing people fear more those who claim no god. It is so hardwired into societies that it is a required field in most official and government forms.

Years ago, while undergoing the adoption process for our two daughters, leaving that section blank could have risked our opportunity of becoming mothers.

God forbid, godless lesbians!

Horizontal practice


People are squashed into religious boxes, many there by default, repetition, habit and tradition. Sunday after Sunday, the flock gathers, seeking a personal connection with the divine. Or Friday or Saturday or every day, whatever floats your religious boat.

Here’s my take. A relationship with God or a deity is easy and there are enough holy books and tracts, poems, epics, songs and works of art to lead you there. Plus you get quiet time in prayer and contemplation, one assumes.

However, it is in our relationships with other human beings where things get messy and challenging, requiring us to find our unique humanity.

Our journey, here and now, requires us to connect in the real world where there is suffering, abuse, starvation and war. Here is where the God so many trust and believe in is needed most and where many believers act this out. Gift of the Givers is a case in point.

And so it came to pass that the definition “secular Buddhist” was the choice for my box. It sounded suitably formal and vague. My partner wrote “Christian”.

Who knows what the social worker would have thought had we left it blank or filled in “doubters” or “agnostics”, “quantum physics theory” or “Jedi”.

We could see the form reflected in her reading glasses as she scanned it carefully. She looked up at me. “Secular Buddhist?” I nodded. She moved on.

“Christian?”

“Yes,” replied my partner.

“What kind of Christian?”

Startled by the unexpected question, I quickly spoke over the social worker’s confusion and came up with what I thought was a sure-fire, bull’s-eye reply.

“What do you mean what kind of Christian? The Jesus kind!”

Which gave us away for the spiritual charlatans we are because we should have admitted to being recovering Catholics like Lady Gaga and Madonna.

We could have passed for Anglicans, Methodists, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Baptists, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Church of the Ding Dong Big Cash for the Pastor, or even Amish. But pass we had to.

The troubles of the world need consolations, the earthly crying out for real succour and help. Go there and manifest. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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