Sex in the Parish: Social-Scientific Explanations for why it Occurs

Abstract

Places Karen Lebacqz and Ronald Barton's ethical perspectives on sexual relations between pastors and their parishioners in the context of congregational processes and dynamics, and advocates the use of social-scientific theories to explain these processes and dynamics. Criticizes recent practical theological works which advocate “thick description” of congregations, contending that “thick description” has failed to unearth the underlying causes of the “sex in the parish” phenomenon. Presents Erving Goffman's theory of total institutions and Rene Girard's theory of scapegoating as useful theories to explain why pastors have sexual relations with their own parishioners.