A pastor in the U.S. has stirred controversy after urging women to stop posting certain kinds of photos online.
Brian Sauvรฉ, who works at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, has been accused of being misogynistic towards women after he took to Twitter to seemingly urge “ladies” on behalf of all men about showing skin on social media.
โDear Ladies, there is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar – ever,” he tweeted.
He continued: โNot to show your weight loss journey. Not to show your newborn baby. Not to document your birth story – Your Brothers.โ
Dear Ladies,
There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similarโever.
Not to show your weight loss journey.
Not to show your newborn baby.
Not to document your birth story.
-Your Brothers
— Brian Sauvรฉ (@Brian_Sauve) February 7, 2022
Brian has received backlash for his tweet which has received more than 20,000 replies from users arguing against Sauvรฉโs sentiment. The pastorโs claim also prompted the creation of a now-viral #DearBrian trend.
In a rebuttal, one user wrote:
“Dear Gentlemen, There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself wearing a beard, a tight T shirt, shorts or anything similar – ever. Not to show your arms. Not to show your personal best. Not to document anything, ever. – Your Sisters.”
Dear Gentlemen,
There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself wearing a beard, a tight T shirt, shorts or anything similar – ever.
Not to show your arms.
Not to show your personal best.
Not to document anything, ever.
– Your Sisters.
— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) February 9, 2022
American Author John Pavlovitz took a dig at Brian, tweeting: โDear Brian, Pastors like you are why the Church is known for misogyny and the subjugation of women more than empathy and equity. You should try the sacred ministry of minding your own damn business.”
Dear Brian,
Pastors like you are why the Church is known for misogyny and the subjugation of women more than empathy and equity.
You should try the sacred ministry of minding your own damn business. https://t.co/u6GF9LElg6
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) February 9, 2022
In a series of follow-up tweets, Sauvรฉ defended and stood by his comment.
โQuite a few men and women who would likely identify as liberal feminists have recently taken quite the interest in my Twitter account,โ he wrote. โWelcome! Iโm glad youโre here.โ
Quite a few men and women who would likely identify as liberal feminists have recently taken quite the interest in my Twitter account. Welcome! I'm glad you're here.
I have a question I'd like your thoughts on:
— Brian Sauvรฉ (@Brian_Sauve) February 8, 2022
Many of you likely use and promote the #MeToo movementโyet hundreds of you are sending me unsolicited sexual images and videos.
Is that ok now? I thought your sexual ethic was all about consent? This seems like naked (pun intended) hypocrisy on your part. For example:
— Brian Sauvรฉ (@Brian_Sauve) February 8, 2022
He added, โIf a man were to send you unsolicited nude pictures or sexually explicit videos of himself, you would (rightly!) judge him as a sexually abusive pervert. But you can do it to me? How does the ethical math work out on that? Maybe your sexual ethics arenโt so ethical after all.โ
Sauvรฉ also told his Twitter critics that he doesnโt โhate you,โ but weโre all โhypocrites, sinners, and moral vagabondsโ and the โfreedom from the crippling weight of your sin through Christ.โ