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anode
Guest
What a silly argument.
No one has argued that abuse does not take place in other settings involving ministry, religious or otherwise.
It’s the* incidence *that is noteworthy, and the capacity to do harm, serious harm. We are talking about abuse perpetrated by Catholic religious in *institutionalized settings involving disadvantaged children *, on a scale and of a severity that requires comparison to previous centuries to find its parallel.
No one has argued that abuse does not take place in other settings involving ministry, religious or otherwise.
It’s the* incidence *that is noteworthy, and the capacity to do harm, serious harm. We are talking about abuse perpetrated by Catholic religious in *institutionalized settings involving disadvantaged children *, on a scale and of a severity that requires comparison to previous centuries to find its parallel.
M
mini_me640
Guest
It isn’t a silly argument. I know MANY MANY people who think that Catholic priests commit more sexual crimes toward children than other ministers and that think that priestly celibacy is the cause of the pedophilia.What a silly argument.
No one has argued that abuse does not take place in other settings involving ministry, religious or otherwise.
It’s the* incidence *that is noteworthy, and the capacity to do harm, serious harm. We are talking about abuse perpetrated by Catholic religious in *institutionalized settings involving disadvantaged children *, on a scale and of a severity that requires comparison to previous centuries to find its parallel.
R
Rascalking
Guest
We should never forget that even one abused child is one too many, regardless of any statistic.It isn’t a silly argument. I know MANY MANY people who think that Catholic priests commit more sexual crimes toward children than other ministers and that think that priestly celibacy is the cause of the pedophilia.
Yes, priests may commit no more abuse than other males. But so what? The bottom line is that they did commit crimes.
R
Roy5
Guest
A couple points
Code:
1. It may be true that priests commit no more sexual abuse than other males, but a) they are priests who have taken the vow of celibacy and this makes their sin seem even more heinous; b) the more horrendous crime is that members of the hierarchy, certain bishops and such, went to great lengths to hide such crimes and even assigned some of these guilty priests to other churches.
2. Priests are in an elevated position where it may be easier for them to prey upon young people, especially teen males where so much of the abuse was directed, What a flagrant betrayal of these young people who had been taught to put their faith in their priests.
3. A much higher percentage of priests would appear to be homosexual than the general population. Why? I suggest these four factors play a role: a) priests who sense that they are gay will be able to hide this behind the collar and not be asked why they're not married; b) earnest gays who hope to combat this sexual orientation may pray that becoming a priest will help them do so; c) gays can find an all-male fraternal order especially attractive; and d) there are elements of Catholic worship - elaborate vestments, aspects of theatre, etc. - that many gays find particularly compelling.
4. What troubles me is that the vast majority of priests are devoted, honest, giving of themselves, and lifelong celibates - requiring suppression of the natural sexual urges that men and women have as part of their humanity. Yet, because of a small group of sexual abusers, the entire vocation and the church have come under suspicion and harsh criticism. There is a tragic unfairness about this.
5. I do think that the freedom of clergy to marry would help. It would allow a sexual outlet for many, and it also would attract a large group of healthy men who want spouses and families - a normal desire of normal people. Marriage would not do away with the problem but would lessen it.
God bless all worthy clergy of every faith.
M
mini_me640
Guest
I agree, I was simply responding to a poster that said it was a silly argument.We should never forget that even one abused child is one too many, regardless of any statistic.
Yes, priests may commit no more abuse than other males. But so what? The bottom line is that they did commit crimes.
M
markeverett49
Guest
I’ve often wondered how a Chief of Police would be treated if he claimed, “My cops are no more likely to rob you than anyone else is!” Priests should be far less likely than The Average Guy to molest a child.
Having said that, the reason the Church is in such a mess is that so many NON-abusive priests (and bishops) have covered up for the few who abuse. They believe they are protecting the Church but they are doing great harm.
Having said that, the reason the Church is in such a mess is that so many NON-abusive priests (and bishops) have covered up for the few who abuse. They believe they are protecting the Church but they are doing great harm.
D
desertPavel
Guest
Anode-What a silly argument.
No one has argued that abuse does not take place in other settings involving ministry, religious or otherwise.
It’s the* incidence *that is noteworthy, and the capacity to do harm, serious harm. We are talking about abuse perpetrated by Catholic religious in *institutionalized settings involving disadvantaged children *, on a scale and of a severity that requires comparison to previous centuries to find its parallel.
Did you read the entire article, including links to sources???
T
thomasf
Guest
Teachers, ministers, preachers, rabbis, family members, neighbors, etc etc etc. These are all elevated adults in authority in a child’s eyes. I don’t believe that it’s any less painful for a child to be abused by one of these elevated adult figures than by a priest. These adults are in positions of power and supposed safety for children. To be abused by these people has got to be a horrible thing.
Yet it happens. It happens by adults of any and all position in a child’s life. And the fact is, it happens less in the catholic church than it does in schools and other religions, families, etc. Abuse is a horrible thing, but it happens by adults in power everywhere. Yet only the catholic church is getting the attacks. Only the church is villified and attacked and lied about, and people pile on top of those attacks.
The church has taken steps to eliminate the abuse, and has done so more than any other institution. They are on the frontline in attacking this problem. Yet stories from 20,30 years ago are dredged up and used to attack the church today. Nobody is looking at abuse in schools from that time period and comparing it to how schools are today. Nobody is doing this for protestant ministries.
Fact is, more than 95% of catholic priests are not molestors and have never been accused of any of this. Which makes the church safer than any other institution or religion. Yet the are getting 100% of the attacks.
Yet it happens. It happens by adults of any and all position in a child’s life. And the fact is, it happens less in the catholic church than it does in schools and other religions, families, etc. Abuse is a horrible thing, but it happens by adults in power everywhere. Yet only the catholic church is getting the attacks. Only the church is villified and attacked and lied about, and people pile on top of those attacks.
The church has taken steps to eliminate the abuse, and has done so more than any other institution. They are on the frontline in attacking this problem. Yet stories from 20,30 years ago are dredged up and used to attack the church today. Nobody is looking at abuse in schools from that time period and comparing it to how schools are today. Nobody is doing this for protestant ministries.
Fact is, more than 95% of catholic priests are not molestors and have never been accused of any of this. Which makes the church safer than any other institution or religion. Yet the are getting 100% of the attacks.
E
Elizabeth502
Guest
The point is, there should be Zero abuse by any man of God (for that matter, of any religion: read the story just released about the Protestant preacher suspected of murdering his wife as well as forcible sexual act on children). The fact that there is even one abuser is scandal enough.
It shouldn’t be “no more” than lay men. It should be none. The fact that it’s “the same” or “less” is no consolation.
It shouldn’t be “no more” than lay men. It should be none. The fact that it’s “the same” or “less” is no consolation.
S
seekerz
Guest
Not sure I agree with that last statement. Any sex scandal (especially involving a church or politician) gets covered ad nauseam in the media; for that matter, anything remotely resembling news on any matter gets repeated until it loses all meaning and grates on the ear.Teachers, ministers, preachers, rabbis, family members, neighbors, etc etc etc. These are all elevated adults in authority in a child’s eyes. I don’t believe that it’s any less painful for a child to be abused by one of these elevated adult figures than by a priest. These adults are in positions of power and supposed safety for children. To be abused by these people has got to be a horrible thing.
Yet it happens. It happens by adults of any and all position in a child’s life. And the fact is, it happens less in the catholic church than it does in schools and other religions, families, etc. Abuse is a horrible thing, but it happens by adults in power everywhere. Yet only the catholic church is getting the attacks. Only the church is villified and attacked and lied about, and people pile on top of those attacks.
The church has taken steps to eliminate the abuse, and has done so more than any other institution. They are on the frontline in attacking this problem. Yet stories from 20,30 years ago are dredged up and used to attack the church today. Nobody is looking at abuse in schools from that time period and comparing it to how schools are today. Nobody is doing this for protestant ministries.
Fact is, more than 95% of catholic priests are not molestors and have never been accused of any of this. Which makes the church safer than any other institution or religion. Yet the are getting 100% of the attacks.
So to see this as some kind of unique media attack - I for one, am not convinced. They make a fuss about any scandal until people get tired of same old, same old; sexual transgressors abound who can attest to that.
W
Worthy5
Guest
=seekerz;6507696]Not sure I agree with that last statement. Any sex scandal (especially involving a church or politician) gets covered ad nauseam in the media; for that matter, anything remotely resembling news on any matter gets repeated until it loses all meaning and grates on the ear.
Time to write newsweek.So to see this as some kind of unique media attack - I for one, am not convinced. They make a fuss about any scandal until people get tired of same old, same old; sexual transgressors abound who can attest to that
B
buffalo
Guest
M
miguel
Guest
“Mean Men…”
How about an article about Mean Women…that includes abortion in discussions of child abuse.
How about an article about Mean Women…that includes abortion in discussions of child abuse.
W
Worthy5
Guest
Test=miguel;6508501]“Mean Men…”
How about an article about Mean Women…that includes abortion in discussions of child abuse.
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