Today’s letter to the editor makes a great point that unfortunately gets lost in the list of lefty grievances. She writes, “I have, however, known multiple women who have suffered abuse and were either blamed for it and or told they would be ‘in sin’ if they left the marriage.” This is true. Actually, it’s much worse but the fact remains: Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, is a safe haven for abusers and a house of oppression for women — especially those in abusive marriages.

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Of course I am angry

This a response to Lois Johnston’s letter Oct. 11 (“Sounds like a personal vendetta”).

I have never heard of or seen documentation that Doug Wilson admitted to his mistakes regarding the cases of sexual abuse in his group that we are aware of at this time. I am skeptical of that claim.

However, I will address the suggestion that I have a personal vendetta. I have not been personally harmed by anyone in the church; in fact, one of my oldest friends is a member. I have, however, known multiple women who have suffered abuse and were either blamed for it and or told they would be “in sin” if they left the marriage.

This is indefensible. I don’t have to be personally harmed to be outraged by the marginalization of women, by cruelty to animals, the murders of unarmed black men, the internment of immigrant children, the wanton destruction of our environment (although that affects us all), the lack of access to health care, glorification of ignorance and superstition, the Ku Klux Klan. If we are not appalled by and willing to fight against injustice, cruelty, abuse and exploitation, we are just as guilty as the perpetrators.

Of course I am angry; we should all be angry.

We are living in a time when our country is in the hands of people who disparage and mock abuse survivors, who even blame women for their assaults, and in one egregious example has bragged about assaulting women. Why should we ignore the same behavior in Moscow just because it happens in a church? I hope we are better than that. We either oppose the problem or become part of the problem.

Holli Cooper
Moscow

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