On his radio program today, extremist anti-LGBTQ pastor Kevin Swanson attributed USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of more than 150 women and girls he treated, in part, to the fact that gymnastics encourages “a fair amount of immodesty.”
Citing a variety of supposed dangers, such as the use of open showers, Swanson warned Christian parents against allowing their children to participate in sports because “sports tend to focus on the body.”
“There is an infatuation with the body,” he said, “and, of course, the sexual aspects of the body as well. Some sports encourage immodesty, revealing large portions of the body and this happens in some sports. These are the risky sports. Here they are, what are the risky sports? Gymnastics. Gymnastics and swimming. These are the sports in which there is an added risk.”
“Why are all of the gymnasts [at] more of a risk than other sports?” Swanson asked. “Do you really want your daughters involved in a sport that involves a fair amount of immodesty in which red-blooded American male coaches are interacting with these girls? Or, worse yet, where the infatuation of the body eventually effects the lesbian coaches?”
Swanson went on to suggest that Nassar was brought to justice because, “God is not going to put up with 20 years of this.”
So what, five, ten, or fifteen years is perfectly acceptable, but not 20?
Is that where "God" draws the line?
First off the uniforms typically worn by female gymnasts are in no way the most revealing in the Olympics.
Some of the shorts worn by the female track and field competitors are barely even there, and don't get me started about the beach volleyball competitors.
The sports these athletes participate in require freedom of movement, and clothing that does not bind or interfere in their sport.
If a man finds that erotic in any way, that is entirely beside the point.
And it in NO WAY excuses a person from sexually assaulting or victimizing ANYONE.
I was a gymnastic coach for over four years, and ran a program that included young college age women working with children ages five to twelve.
I was literally surrounded by some of the most fit and attractive young women in the state.
And yet every one of my interactions with them was purely professional. And I was very careful to keep in that way.
I was well aware that I was in a position of authority, and conducted myself appropriately at all times.
Because THAT is what you do.
I also once worked, very briefly, as the bouncer at a strip club.
And even in that setting I did not objectify my coworkers or do anything to make them feel uneasy in my presence.
Because once again, THAT is what you do.
Besides this man was a doctor, so of course he saw these young women without any clothing at all, which renders this entire defense ridiculous.
Not to mention that some of Nassar's victims were children, so how does the "immodesty" of gymnastics excuse that?
No, being a man, unable to control his base impulses, cannot be excused by any claims of "immodesty" or blamed on the victims in any way.
Dr. Nassar is solely responsible for his actions, and he got what he deserved for them.
Source http://ift.tt/2BkBT9H
