Black baptist and pentecostal people have long participated in patriarchy and public shaming no matter archaic and ashy these practices and beliefs are in the modern, secular world.
AUNTIE recently covered the dastardly story of Pastor Terry W. Jackson of True Vine Apostolic Church of Christ in Hampton, Virginia, who has gone viral after reportedly making a teenage girl apologize in front of the church congregation for becoming pregnant. In a widely publicized video, the clergyman invited the pregnant teen to the pulpit during the church’s live-streamed service. In front of churchgoers, the unidentified teen apologized for being for being “pregnant” and said “I’m sorry, Y’all” before exiting the stage.
In The Year Of Our Lord 2025, A Pregnant Teen ‘Repents In Front Of Church Congregation
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Pastor Jackson told the expectant mother he would pray for her but would not condone her “sin.” The religious leader also instructed the teen’s mother not to have a baby shower for her daughter and instructed parishioners not to celebrate the upcoming birth because doing so would be considered a condoning sin.
The clip circulated on social media, sparking online debate. Some social media users supported Jackson, but many commenters condemned the pastor’s actions, accusing him of publicly humiliating the teen.
I am part of the latter because WTF?
First, if this young lady wanted to apologize to her church community, perhaps it should have happened when the cameras weren’t rolling—especially since she is allegedly a minor. By live-streaming this moment, the church failed to protect this young mother-to-be and provided a bigger platform for the pastor to perform his self-indulgent, finger-wagging fest while parishioners cheered him on.
Our niece doesn’t deserve punishment in the form of public humiliation. In months to come, she will have a whole child that will likely change the trajectory of her life. This doesn’t mean that she will not achieve her goals, but having a child makes shit a lot more complicated and isn’t that consequence enough?
Should we encourage teenage pregnancies? No, nor should we stop supporting them, especially during the time of pregnancy and becoming a young mom because that’s when things can get crucial.
Babies need things, expensive things. What’s the harm of loving up on a soon-to-be mother, celebrating a new life, and showering the mom with gifts that will help lighten her load? Are we a community or nah?
Several celebs and social media users offered to host virtual baby showers for the mom-to-be, including The View host Sunny Hostin and Theologian Candice Benbow.
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However, a woman who identified herself as the pregnant girl’s mother and took to Facebook to shut shit down, saying “thanks but no thanks. In the now-deleted post, Dee Myles accused social media users of “interrupting her peace” and stood ten toes down in support of her pastor.
Myles didn’t publicly offer support for her pregnant daughter, who may be traumatized by these events. Women upholding abusive patriarchal norms is nothing new, but it’s tired and toxic AF.
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The invisible elephant in the room was this child’s father. Pastor Johnson did not mention the father’s role in this so-called sinful act and that’s usually the case.
Growing up, I witnessed this phenomenon often when some of my teenage friends returned from summer break with baby bumps. The blame, shame, whispers, and the looks of disgust were aimed at the girl but never at the person who impregnated her. Even when a grown-ass man was the father. On the other hand, teenaged fathers often receive grace, support, and sports scholarships.
It’s 2025, for God’s sake. When will society realize that religious guilt isn’t working? Because these teenagers are having sex in churches, mosques, and synagogues. They are busting it wide open while wearing purity rings. Maybe it’s time for us to step out of the land of delusion and start having honest conversations with youth about their sexuality instead of pretending that we can shame them out of their natural urges. Maybe it’s time to talk to them about choosing their partners wisely, protecting themselves, masturbation, and even abstinence. Maybe, just maybe, it’s high time that we teach boys to be responsible with their penises.
I am sending love to the soon-to-be mother. I pray these social media reactions remind her she has support without judgment. I pray she gets the mental, physical, and spiritual support she deserves. Just like her mama stands with Pastor Jackson, AUNTIE stands with her. Congratulations on your bundle of joy, baby girl.
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