In this powerful episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Ruth Malhotra, a key whistleblower in the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) scandal. Ruth’s journey is one of unexpected advocacy, sitting at the intersection of faith, justice, and public engagement.
The conversation begins with Ruth’s early days at Georgia Tech, where she successfully sued the university for violating free speech rights, setting a precedent for students across the nation.
However, the interview takes a somber and gripping turn as Ruth details her time as the Public Relations Manager for RZIM. She pulls back the curtain on the culture of fear, the "don't question Ravi" mandate, and the systemic abuse of power that allowed a global ministry leader to hide a double life.
This is a raw look at what happens when institutions prioritize reputation over righteousness, and how to maintain faith when leaders fail.
From India to Atlanta: How Ruth’s upbringing and exposure to the slums of India shaped her view of global injustice.
The Georgia Tech Lawsuit: The story behind Ruth’s battle against university speech codes and the Dean who admitted to "indoctrinating" students.
The RZIM Culture: The gradual realization of "optics" issues, financial extravagance, and the idolatry of leadership.
The Turning Point: The 2017 allegations by Lori Ann Thompson and the accidental email that revealed the cover-up to Ruth.
The 4 Stages of Cover-Up: Ruth breaks down how organizations hide abuse: Deny, Defy, and Defame.
Surviving Gaslighting: How ministry leadership tried to label Ruth as mentally unstable to discredit her whistleblowing.
The Definition of Justice: Why justice requires not just protecting the vulnerable, but exposing the darkness, even when it is within the church.
Check out the video version at:
https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial
Connect with Benjamin at:
https://benjaminswatson.com/
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