Episode 24: Exposing Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Seventh day Adventist Church
Content Note
This episode includes discussion of religious abuse, sexual misconduct, institutional cover ups, and spiritual harm.
Episode Description
This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I have the honor of sitting down with Melissa Duge Spiers, author of Holy Disobedience.
Melissa joins us to talk about the devastating patterns of abuse, secrecy, and power within the Seventh-day Adventist Church that she courageously exposes in her book. Through years of investigation and survivor testimony, Melissa uncovers how systems meant to protect the faithful often instead protect perpetrators.
In this powerful conversation, we discuss the culture of silence surrounding sexual misconduct, the spiritual manipulation used to maintain control, and the courage it takes for survivors and advocates to speak out.
Melissa’s work is a call for truth, accountability, and justice for those harmed within religious institutions.
In This Episode We Discuss
Institutional abuse within religious organizations
Survivor advocacy and truth telling
Patterns of secrecy and protection of leadership
Spiritual manipulation and control
The cost of speaking out
Why accountability within churches matters
About Our Guest
Melissa Duge Spiers is an author and advocate dedicated to exposing abuse within religious systems and amplifying the voices of survivors.
Pre Order Her Book
https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/holy-disobedience/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAQdt_tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeFoZt_MvpDFvo3xVnqTHofZimjxbr7t-9j4_R1aKwfzzMf7ijK2CEqr-3gbQ_aem_V6U0cb49pQDOv5bd4VwMrA
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the.glory.whole?igsh=NGZ1ZHRqOTdpcWZ2
Why This Episode Matters
Institutional abuse thrives in silence. Conversations like this help bring hidden harm into the light and remind survivors that they are not alone. Accountability begins when stories are told and systems are no longer allowed to hide behind spiritual authority.
🎶 Intro/Outro Music
Your Poison by Rox Knox
💬 Connect with your hosts
Heather — @happyheather | @happyheathersmiles
Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321
🎥 Watch the show on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s
📩 Interested in being a guest
Email us at theawakeningpod@gmail.com
Listener Care Reminder
If discussions of abuse within religious systems are difficult for you, please listen at your own pace and take care of yourself. Healing often begins when truth is spoken.
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