**Extremely American: Onward Christian Soldiers

Episode: Onward Christian Soldiers: Wolves Among The Flock
Release Date: July 24, 2024
Hosts: Heath Druzen and James Dawson
Description: Season 2 of Extremely American delves into the perilous rise of Christian nationalism, specifically focusing on a movement intent on dismantling American democracy to establish a theocratic regime. This season navigates through the intricacies of this movement via the lens of an influential far-right church, its audacious attempt to dominate a small town, and the harrowing abuses that lie beneath its facade.

Introduction: Unveiling the Christchurch Scandal

Heath Druzen opens the episode with a somber warning about the sensitive and distressing topics to be discussed, including child sex abuse, sexual assault, and suicide (00:48). The narrative begins in 2005 with the introduction of Steven Sitler, a 20-year-old student at New St. Andrews in Moscow, Idaho. The school, affiliated with the Christchurch community, employs a unique boarding system where students live with church families to avoid the typical distractions of dorm life.

The Steven Sitler Case: A Hidden Menace

Steven Sitler's tenure at New St. Andrews took a dark turn when allegations surfaced about his inappropriate behavior. Jimmy Dawson recounts that in March 2005, Sitler molested a friend's daughter during a sleepover (01:55). Further investigations by Sitler's host family revealed that he had also been molesting their own children for over a year and a half (02:37).

Response from Church Leadership

Facing these revelations, the Sitler family consulted Pastor Doug Wilson, who advised them to involve law enforcement (03:04). Contrary to expectations of a swift and protective action towards the victims, the situation rapidly unraveled. Sitler, deeply ingrained in the Christchurch community with his father serving as a deacon, confessed his abuses to Wilson and subsequently turned himself in (03:04). Despite the gravity of his actions, Wilson publicly took credit for Sitler's confession, stating:

Doug Wilson [04:15]: "He confessed to years of abusing others, and that was at my instigation, him doing that."

However, Wilson's handling of the situation drew significant criticism from within and outside the community.

Rachel Shubin’s Investigation: Exposing the Flaws

Rachel Shubin, an attendee of an Oregon church within the Community of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CRECK) founded by Wilson, became increasingly disturbed by the handling of the Sitler case and another simultaneous sex abuse scandal. When her pastor dismissed her concerns, she embarked on a rigorous investigation.

Rachel Shubin [04:40]: "I had a whole bunch of younger kids that were all right in the age ranges of silver speakers. It's soul-crushing for the parents and the children and the community at large."

Determined to uncover the truth, Shubin meticulously researched police records, court documents, and conducted interviews with legal authorities. Her extensive 500-page report unveils a pattern of prioritizing abusers over victims, with Wilson often minimizing the severity of the abuse and shielding perpetrators.

Emily Paige Dye’s Story: A Personal Tragedy

The episode shifts focus to Emily Paige Dye, a survivor of sexual abuse within the Christchurch community. Emily's journey began at Logos School, a Christchurch-affiliated institution, where she was subjected to a rigidly repressive environment.

Life at Logos School

Emily describes the school's strict emphasis on modesty and gender roles, leaving no room for open discussions about sex education:

Emily Paige Dye [07:36]: "I still didn't know the word vagina. I learned that as a 19 year old in university."

This environment fostered fear and misunderstanding among students, making them vulnerable to predatory behavior.

Abuse by Jim Nance

Jim Nance, a respected teacher and elder within Christchurch, became Emily's abuser. Initially perceived as a father figure, Nance's overstepping of personal boundaries escalated from inappropriate hugging to outright molestation.

Emily Paige Dye [10:28]: "And then it was like right before Christmas break, he gave me a full frontal hug and it went on for way too long and I was like, that was weird."

Despite Emily's discomfort, the school's response was tepid. A chaperone reported Nance's behavior, but the administration, including Superintendent Tom Garfield, failed to take substantial action beyond asking Nance to resign (16:48).

Emily Paige Dye [19:29]: "I think it was a very specific choice on the part of the school not to ask me questions, to choose to be ignorant, to choose not to learn what actually happened because I would have shared it."

Continued Abuse and Aftermath

Nance's abuse persisted until Emily's mother discovered a text message from Nance, prompting him to confess to the superintendent. However, minimal action was taken, and Nance remained a member of the Christchurch community. Eventually, Emily reached out for counseling from Nancy Wilson, Doug Wilson's wife, only to be met with condemnation and blame.

Emily Paige Dye [23:43]: "She told me that I was slutty and I needed to change the way I dress and I should go home and clean out my closet and that I should stop trying to seduce university boys and other men and people's husbands."

Feeling unsupported and silenced, Emily eventually broke away from the Christchurch ideology, seeking solace and understanding outside the community.

Doug Wilson’s Defense and Controversial Actions

Doug Wilson remains a central figure in the narrative, defending his actions and the Christchurch community's responses to abuse allegations. He maintains that the church provides pastoral support to victims but distances himself from legal proceedings.

Doug Wilson [30:06]: "We would discipline someone if I officiated a wedding and five years later the husband ran off with his secretary. ... we would excommunicate someone like that."

However, critics like Rachel Shubin argue that Wilson consistently protects abusers while neglecting victims. This is exemplified by his defense and continued support for offenders like Steven Sitler and Jim Nance, despite their criminal actions.

The Aftermath: Lingering Impact and Unresolved Issues

Despite Emily's attempts to seek justice and transparency, Moscow Police declined to file charges against Nance, citing legal challenges in prosecuting the case (34:43). Nance remains a member of Christchurch, and Sitler was even married by Doug Wilson post-conviction.

Community and Legal Repercussions

The handling of these cases has left deep scars within the Christchurch community, with survivors like Emily fighting to have their voices heard and seeking accountability for their abusers. However, systemic failures and a culture of silence continue to impede meaningful resolution.

Conclusion: The Enduring Struggle for Accountability

Extremely American: Onward Christian Soldiers paints a troubling picture of how religious institutions can sometimes prioritize their reputation over the well-being of their members. Through meticulous reporting and personal testimonies, the episode underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and support for survivors within such communities.

Emily Paige Dye [36:30]: "I think there's probably nothing scarier for people like Wilson and Nance and all of the people in that community when the women that they have downtrodden and they've abused and they've taken away their voices and have told them that they must submit and obey, actually start speaking up and telling their stories."

The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of unchecked power and the resilience required to confront deeply ingrained abuses within influential institutions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Heath Druzen [00:48]: "It's 2005. A 20 year old named Steven Sitler is a student at New St. Andrews..."
• Doug Wilson [04:15]: "He confessed to years of abusing others, and that was at my instigation, him doing that."
• Rachel Shubin [04:40]: "I had a whole bunch of younger kids that were all right in the age ranges of silver speakers. It's soul-crushing for the parents and the children and the community at large."
• Emily Paige Dye [07:36]: "I still didn't know the word vagina. I learned that as a 19 year old in university."
• Emily Paige Dye [19:29]: "I think it was a very specific choice on the part of the school not to ask me questions..."
• Emily Paige Dye [23:43]: "She told me that I was slutty and I needed to change the way I dress..."
• Doug Wilson [30:06]: "We would discipline someone if I officiated a wedding and five years later the husband ran off with his secretary..."
• Emily Paige Dye [36:30]: "I think there's probably nothing scarier for people like Wilson and Nance..."

This episode of Extremely American provides a comprehensive and unsettling exploration of the intersection between religious authority and systemic abuse, highlighting the profound challenges faced by survivors seeking justice and healing.