Behind the lights, fog machines, and polished sermons lies a darker reality in megachurches. Scott Latta, award-winning journalist and author of Gods of the Smoke Machine, is on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to discuss how evangelical megachurches create environments where spiritual abuse thrives. Drawing from personal experience and deep reporting, Scott outlines the patterns that allow abusive pastors to evade accountability and return to power—even after serious harm. We unpack the sociological model of the megachurch, how non-denominational structures often sidestep oversight, and why it’s so difficult for victims to speak out or even leave. This episode confronts how systems meant to glorify Jesus have become breeding grounds for abuse—and what needs to change.
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Important Links:
Scott Latta’s website - https://www.scottlatta.com
Gods of the Smoke Machine - https://amzn.to/49DKYu2 (affiliate)
Scott’s Substack - Gods of the Smoke Machine
Scott’s appearance on the Untangled Faith podcast with Amy Fritz - https://www.untangledfaithpodcast.com/148-inside-the-megachurch-machine-abuse-accountability-and-christian-nationalism-with-scott-latt/
Scott Latta is a journalist whose writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Christianity Today. His most recent book is author of Gods of the Smoke Machine: Power, Pain, and the Rise of Christian Nationalism in the Megachurch.
See Also:
How Church Culture Can Turn Leaders Into Idols - David Ruybalid
David Ruybalid, trauma-informed pastor, writer, and co-founder of the Religious Trauma Network, is on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to discuss how American churches elevate leaders and impact to unhealthy levels. Ruybalid unpacks the historical roots of this mindset, describing the term “institutional Messiah” to note how churc…
Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at http://jakedoberenz.substack.com.
