A New York pastor has left people shocked and outraged after a video clip surfaced in which he advocated for his male congregants to rape their wives.
Burnett Robinson, pastor of The Grand Concourse Seventh-day Adventist Church in The Bronx, New York, made the comments during a sermon about the Biblical principle of women "submitting" to their husbands.
In the disturbing clip, seen below, Robinson told his congregants that women must submit even if it means being raped, preaching that "the best person to rape is your wife." Warning: The comments in this video are extremely disturbing.
In his deeply disturbing sermon, recorded November 13, Robinson told his female congregants that they are their husbands' property and cited a recent spousal rape court case as an example of a disobedient wife.
Burnett said:
"Wives, you must submit to your husbands."
"In this matter of submission, I want you to know up front ladies, that once you get married, you are no longer your own. You are your husband's. You understand what I'm saying?"
"I emphasize that because I saw in court the other day on TV where a lady sued her husband for rape. And I would say to you gentlemen, the best person to rape is your wife."
According to Religion News Service, Robinson's sermon was based upon the Apostle Paul's instructions for wives to submit in chapter five of the Biblical Book of Ephesians, which read:
"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord... as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."
The verse is frequently misinterpreted in Christian circles as a justification for spousal abuse, including the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
On Twitter, people were appalled by Robinson's sermon and called for his ouster.
WTF?!?! https://t.co/STB2JOnKln
— TSullivan 🌊 (@kittyupatree) November 24, 2021
I've cycled through about ten different responses to this headline, and none of them are quite doing it justicehttps://t.co/MOHfyaYCRd
— Dreamweasel (@Dreamweasel) November 23, 2021
WTH? He's been their pastor since 2013. The leaders of this church (likely men) knew what they had. Absolutely sickening how churches abuse their influence. Women, you are EQUAL. Claim your gifts and power. https://t.co/4QkC5lRiJp
— RadicalMatriarch@fermayo (@fermayo) November 23, 2021
Thank "god" the young generation is turning away in masses from Churches. BS like this is no longer appealing to the young...https://t.co/F4mrdjuwC6
— Mark - fully 🧲 ized (@mark_novata) November 23, 2021
Yeah, gotta love those “christians" and their “christian" values.
https://t.co/AjkLoHEZdd
— Jaq (@LadyJYYC) November 23, 2021
Burnett Robinson, Nov. 13 sermon at @GCSDATemple
"Ladies, once you get married you are no longer your own. You are your husband's...I saw...on TV where a lady sued her husband for rape. And I would say to you gentlemen, the BEST PERSON TO RAPE IS YOUR WIFE."
Church, do better.
— Sheila Gregoire--The Great Sex Rescue is here! (@sheilagregoire) November 22, 2021
Burnett Robinson has no business being a pastor or church leader.
Administrative leave is not enough.
He must be fired. @NADadventist @GNYConference https://t.co/lhYp9frABB
— Janet (@janetprz08) November 23, 2021
I refuse to retweet that Burnett L. Robinson video from Grand Concourse because it's deeply unsettling.
The question that deserves scrutiny is the conference's response. Like "administrative leave" until when exactly? Why would this person not immediately be terminated?
— Dazzling Vocal Stylings of Ms. Kimberly Wallace (@FreshWithDepth) November 23, 2021
Burnett Robinson needs to understand that in all 50 states, spousal rape is sexual assault and a *crime*. De better, indeed.
— Dee *on a social media hiatus* Holmes (@mmmirele) November 23, 2021
UPDATE:
GNYC has stated Burnett Robinson has resigned and condemned his remarks.
Many want to know whether Robinson has retained his ministerial credentials. The fear ppl have is that he will be quietly moved to another pastoral post within within the denomination. pic.twitter.com/K7X9vYmXd4
— Seth Pierce (@SethJPierce) November 24, 2021
Robinson has resigned from his position after the leadership of his church and local denominational authorities condemned his comments and placed him on administrative leave.
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram