After a weeks-long probe, Christianity Today magazine on September 29 published the #ChurchToo blockbuster that three anonymous massage therapists at spas co-owned by the late evangelical apologetics star Ravi Zacharias said he sexually harassed them. Lurid details here.
Two days, later World magazine, also working the story, added corroboration from a named, on-the-record source.
These articles are landmarks for journalists who write about religion.
First, this will be a big developing story because Zacharias — though not famous in the general media like, say, Liberty University’s scandal-scarred Jerry Falwell Jr. — was far more influential religiously due to decades of books and worldwide speaking tours defending Christian beliefs.
Second, it’s notable that two solid evangelical magazines (which are useful sources of information for reporters in the general media) showed a willingness to hold to account fellow evangelical personalities and institutions.
Given religious periodicals’ limited finances and resources, and the risk of losing advertisers, subscribers and donors, this commendable blast of journalism required more gumption than investigations by secular newspapers and magazines.
So why dig up dirt on preachers who share your beliefs, especially when the figure is deceased, as with Zacharias?
Christianity Today posted an explanation, one that World doubtless embraces, which mainstream journalists should read (right here). There’s also this podcast with the reporter, News Editor Daniel Silliman.
The religious rationale: “Our commitment to seeking truth transcends our commitment to tribe. And by reporting the truth, we care for our community.” After all, the Bible itself “details the grievous wrongs of its heroes.” Christianity “compels us to love those hurt by ministry leaders,” both the immediate victims of misconduct and “countless others” affected. Authentic love for “erring ministry leaders” requires disclosure “to lead them to repentance.” And even after a leader’s death, Christians need “to provide a voice for the wounded, to lament with them, and to assure others like them that they are not alone.”
Turning to follow-up coverage: Reporters who unfamiliar with a still-unresolved Zacharias sexting scandal from 2017 can get a good rundown in the World article cited above. The woman involved wants to be freed from a legal non-disclosure agreement to give her side. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (where the founder’s daughter Sarah is CEO) says that’s up to the Zacharias family, which so far has refused to take that step.
With the new spa allegations, the Zacharias ministry has asked an unnamed law firm to investigate. Reporters will want to know e.g. what firm, whether it’s savvy on such cases, and whether RZIM will issue its findings unedited. Meanwhile, the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, which ordained Zacharias and vouched for him in 2017, told World it is now assessing “additional steps.”
Another aspect as yet unexplored is online claims that last year RZIM, a $37 million operation, obtained a change in federal tax status to become a supposed “association of churches.” Why? Is this gambit used because churches are not required to file public financial reports? Was it a move anticipating an era when the government might allow more freedom for churches than for parachurch groups?
RESOURCES:
RZIM statements defending Zacharias are posted here. The organization’s media contact is Ruth Malhotra at pr@rzim.org or 770-449-5766.
Just before Christianity Today’s scoop, the first allegations went public in this online video by Stephen Baughman, a San Francisco lawyer (and atheist) whose self-published book “Cover-Up in the Kingdom” explores the 2017 case and Zacharias’s inflation of his academic credentials. Baughman posts materials here and is reachable at zenbanjo@gmail.com.
Victim advocate Julie Anne Smith maintains a Zacharias archive here. She is reachable at JA@SpiritualSoundingBoard.com.
Another advocate, Julie Roys (who criticized previous Christianity Today coverage), posts Zacharias material here. Roys can be e-mailed via her Web site.
Two evangelical bloggers monitor the Zacharias story and other church scandals: (1) Warren Cole Smith of Ministry Watch (see this clip for more information) is reachable at info@wallwatchers.org or 866-364-9980. (2) Dee Parsons of The Wartburg Watch (see this clip) is at dee@thewartburgwatch.com or 919-792-8632.
Historical note & disclosure: The Religion Guy led no such major investigative projects as Christianity Today‘s news editor in the late 1960s. Russell Chandler, who left the Washington Evening Star (RIP) to succeed The Guy, later developed notable investigative moxie with the Los Angeles Times‘s dynamic duo alongside John Dart. Investigations became a CT specialty with the next news editor, Edward Plowman.
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