Am I Misinterpteting John 8:7?

[Cattitude]

I got into a discussion about the priest sex abuse scandal with some anti-Catholic Christians. That was my first mistake.

I was trying to explain that as horrible as the sex abuse was, that all priests, let alone the whole Church, should not be condemned by the actions of relatively few priests and bishops. I went on to show that priests are not the only trusted adults who have committed this type abuse, citing examples of teachers and other clergy, etc. They, of course, tried to say I was shifting the blame and excusing the behavior of the priests by saying that it’s not so bad because others have abused as well. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.

I quoted John 8:7 “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Since many “stones” seemed to be getting thrown at the Church by these folks. I was then told I was taking the verse out of context. Am I? Was I wrong here?

 

[dmelosi]

I got into a discussion about the priest sex abuse scandal with some anti-Catholic Christians. That was my first mistake.

I was trying to explain that as horrible as the sex abuse was, that all priests, let alone the whole Church, should not be condemned by the actions of relatively few priests and bishops. I went on to show that priests are not the only trusted adults who have committed this type abuse, citing examples of teachers and other clergy, etc. They, of course, tried to say I was shifting the blame and excusing the behavior of the priests by saying that it’s not so bad because others have abused as well. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.

I quoted John 8:7 “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Since many “stones” seemed to be getting thrown at the Church by these folks. I was then told I was taking the verse out of context. Am I? Was I wrong here?

I would ask them to explain the context of the verse as they thought it meant.

 

[Cattitude]

I should have mentioned this was an online discussion.

I would ask this person but based on the way the thread is going and his responses in other threads, I can just see it giving him another outlet for his anti-Catholic biases.

Plus, I’m looking for more of a Catholic view.

 

[Benadam]

I got into a discussion about the priest sex abuse scandal with some anti-Catholic Christians. That was my first mistake.

I was trying to explain that as horrible as the sex abuse was, that all priests, let alone the whole Church, should not be condemned by the actions of relatively few priests and bishops. I went on to show that priests are not the only trusted adults who have committed this type abuse, citing examples of teachers and other clergy, etc. They, of course, tried to say I was shifting the blame and excusing the behavior of the priests by saying that it’s not so bad because others have abused as well. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.

I quoted John 8:7 “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Since many “stones” seemed to be getting thrown at the Church by these folks. I was then told I was taking the verse out of context. Am I? Was I wrong here?

What is their point in bringing up the scandal?

 

[Cattitude]

Someone made a comment about how Catholics “think that forgiveness requires a child-raping middle man”.

I jumped in with some links to the John Jay College study and articles about sex abuse in general (that was considered shifting the blame). Again, my mistake. uch:

The response to my posting of John 8:7 being taken out of context was given by someone else. He was only slightly more charitable in his summation the whole scandal.

 

[Della]

You didn’t quote the verse out of context. He just didn’t want to hear any defense, not when it helps him justify his prejudices. If I were you I wouldn’t cast any more of my pearls before the swine.

 

[Cattitude]

You didn’t quote the verse out of context. He just didn’t want to hear any defense, not when it helps him justify his prejudices. If I were you I wouldn’t cast any more of my pearls before the swine.

Thanks, that’s what I thought, too. I had already decided that my efforts were fruitless and I wasn’t going to try to respond again.

He actually said “no one is talking about throwing rocks”.

 

[Benadam]

I agree with Della. This person is gratifying the lower faculties.

It’s interesting how this person will accept the Priest as Christ in ‘Persona’ when evil acts are attached to him but not when the Church teaches the Priest is acting in the place of Christ.

 

[Cattitude]

I agree with Della. This person is gratifying the lower faculties.

It’s interesting how this person will accept the Priest as Christ in ‘Persona’ when evil acts are attached to him but not when the Church teaches the Priest is acting in the place of Christ.

Yes, I never thought of it that way, but you’re right. Thanks for the support.