Catholic priests have molested thousands of innocent children. Why do people still believe in this religion?

Question

Priests, of all people, should know this behavior is damnable. The followers of these priests must be brainwashed or corrupt.

Let's see if I understand this correctly......the justification of a religion that tolerates this type of behavior is forgiven because people are sinners? So the sheep continue to flock even though the innocents are being abuse regularly? Sorry. I don't get it yet. Keep answering.....Maybe I will.

Wow. Some of you are really missing the point. I must assume you are Catholic, thus the hateful responses. I am asking the question to learn, not because I have researched the question.

Even though this sort of abuse is not exclusive to the Catholic religion, for it to be so rampant suggests a methodology or training in the leaders that is not biblical.

To minimalize this situation to 'a few' is absurd, given the number of innocent children involved. Should we sweep them under the rug in order that we turn a blind eye to the actions of the church's leaders?

Again, the most biased and judgmental answers from catholics. I am still unswayed. My own beliefs and strength in the Lord is unwavering. I do not need to defend my faith so vehemently. Dever, when you base such ignorant judgment over the posting of a single question, it is you who is foolish.

Answer 1

'Cuz we're not all like that. Yes, it is truly AWFUL, SINFUL, & TRAITOROUS for PREISTS, of all people, to be child molesters. I was shocked when I heard about it.

Not all priests (let alone all Christians) are like that. Some are kinda boring, but I haven't had a boring priest EVER in my current parish. Our usual priest is AWESOME. He just celebrated his 40th anniversary as a priest, but he still relates REALLY well to the youth (teens, high schoolers) of the parish. He knows my name. (Of course, most people at the 5PM Mass know me. A lot of them know my name, but I don't know theirs. I play trumpet at that Mass.)

He wears cowboy boots. When he goes/appears on retreats, he's in jeans & a tucked-in, buttoned-down shirt.

We're not all the same. Please don't judge us based on a few evil people. We've done a lot of good in the world, but the press likes to emphasize the bad parts of society instead of the good.

Peace, & God bless!

Answer 2

The priests who do those things (which, let's keep in mind, is a very small percentage), do so out of their own will and disgusting minds. It has nothing to do with the Catholic religion. The question you're asking is kind of like asking why do people still go to doctors even though many of them have done horrible, horrible things to their patients? My point is that there are always a few bad seeds in the bunch whose actions unfortunately reflect poorly on the rest of their peers. Don't let a few perverted priests/pastors/etc. dissuade you from the Catholic religion. Additionally, if you (not YOU, but in general) were a devout Catholic, you wouldn't let a priest come between you and you relationship with God.

Answer 3

you will be skipping over those thoughts via fact even Yahoo published a narrative acknowledging that the cost of molestation between clergymen became into decrease than the nationwide universal. It basically isn't as sensational (a narrative) as though it have been a clergyman. greater infants have been molested via instructors than via clergymen. A whopping 23% of 979 homosexuals surveyed ADMITTED to having intercourse with an underraged individual. those thoughts do no longer make the nationwide information, nonetheless.

Answer 4

I agree. That behavior is damnable. I am certain that the guilty will receive their just desserts.

Catholics are not brainwashed nor corrupt. Catholics simply believe Jesus' promise and follow His teachings, not the priests.


There are sick people in all walks of life. Look at the entertainment industry and a certain 'moon-walker.' Have people turned their back on the entertainment industry?

There are educators and coaches guilty of the same crime. Have people quit going to school or participating in sports?

Look at Swaggart & Baker. Have people quit listening to Evangelists because of what they did? Have people stopped believing in the Assembly of God?

These are examples of human failings and do not define what a Religion is.

The Catholic Church has been around for 2,000 years and has weathered many storms from within and without. It continues to exist because its founder promised: "I will be with you forever... even unto the end of time..."

And so people still believe the promise that Jesus made.


H

Answer 5

Why do people still believe in the Catholic Faith, you ask? Because Christianity (and moreso Catholic Christianity, which is the fullness of Christianity) is not founded on the moral behaviour of the Church's members -- even if those members be a part of the official hierarchy. Christianity was founded on Christ, the Rock, who gave His Authority to His Church. The Church transmits the teachings of Christ faithfully, down through the centuries. Yes, she does teach a rather strict moral standard, but the failure of some members of the Church to live up to that standard does not invalidate the standard. Like I said, Christianity is not a religion that was founded on any person's moral perfection (even if they be priests, bishops, etc.). It was founded on Christ and on the Faith of the Apostles, a Faith that they received from Christ.

Even a priest who is behaving in a less-than-edifying way (morally speaking) gives to me the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and gives me the fullness of Christ's Pardon, Mercy and Love in the Sacrament of Confession. Yes, he SHOULD be behaving in a way that is in conformity with his Faith, but even if he does not, that does not invalidate the Faith, for my Faith is founded on something else: on Christ Himself.

Hope this helps you.

Answer 6

Don't damn the religion because of the atrocities committed by twisted priests. There are many good priests and people in the RC Church. They hate what these guys have done. They have been embarrassments and stumbling blocks for people.

Thank goodness, there is now a thorough interrogation before guys are even considered for the priesthood.

And you are correct. The Bible says, "Better a millstone be hung around their necks than cause the least of these to stumble."

One thing to keep in mind is that this sin is not the perogative of RC's. Ministers of all denominations have been guilty, as well.

I think it best that we not continue to put these guys on pedestals. They are flawed human beings like the rest of us and must be tried by the State for their crimes against humanity.

Answer 7

I'm not Catholic, and agree that the doctrine isn't strictly scriptural, but not all priests molest children, nor are all molested children abused by priests. People are imperfect - "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". No one but the Christ is sinless. All of our sins can be forgiven since Christ died for every single one of them. Only God knows our hearts and whether one has truly repented; meantime all lawbreakers are to be punished by the government (instituted by God) for breaking the law. Also, they are removed from their positions since the priest or pastor is - according to scripture - to "be above reproach." The followers of these priests probably were not aware of their behaviours. Careful about pointing fingers and condemning the unknowing. God bless you.

Answer 8

Because the religon isn't the priests. The religon is based on the beliefs of Jesus Christ who would also condemn these actions.

Based on your "logic" (using that term is a stretch, I know) no one should be a part of any religon then, because every single following has had some dark times.

Hell, we wouldn't have any muslims because of the terrorists. We wouldn't have chinese mythology because it's founded on lying and extorting cash from people.

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Anyways, maybe you should go ahead and learn about topics before you make silly comments. You'd look like less of an idiot that way.

Answer 9

You are foolish to think the entire Catholic faith is bad on account of a relative few clergy.
You are foolish not to recognize that the behavior in question is a violation of the Catholic Church's moral teaching.
You are foolish to think priests are perfected and protected from sin on account they are members of the clergy.
You are foolish to think faithful Catholics are either brainwashed or corrupt - they remain faithful to God because it is His Teachings, His Beliefs, His Doctrine that remains perfect despite the criminal actions of a relative few clergy.

I can't speak for everyone but, you are foolish to assume Catholics are responding out of hate when their anger is justified. Lay Catholics - and especially proper clergy - have all been shocked and appauled beyond words by the Clergy Sex Scandal.

Most priests are not criminal, most lay Catholics are not victims - but it is people like you who make ALL CATHOLICS victims by associating them with legit criminals and bashing those who have the testicular fortitude to remain faithful despite this test of faith.

Who are you to accuse us of "hateful" responses when 'hate' is what provided you with the impetus to post your question in the first place?

It is not nearly as rampant as you think it is either. Get the facts - pnly 6% of the clergy are connected to the Clergy Sex Scandal. Granted, that is 6% too many, but not nearly the percentage you are making it out to be. It is only your opinion that "methodology" and "training" had to do with it. Since this is your claim, it is your burden to prove.

Methodology and training? Did someone say Absurd?

The children effected by the Clergy Sex Scandal have not been swept under the rug. Many a Catholic prayer of healing goes out to them.

Concern yourself with your own potential damnation - and learn something of Christ-like forgiveness. It is a quality many Catholics have, that you do not. Learn it. For, one day, you will meet the teacher - the Role Model - of Christ-like forgiveness....
...and you may end up begging for it if you do not (en)lighten up.

Answer 10

I can definitely see your point of view. However, I don't believe you can really judge a religion by its people. You have Priests who molest little boys; people who sacrifice animals, practice negative magick and call themselves Wiccan; and you have the Muslims who practice terrorism ... etc.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad apples out there who give other people of a specific group a bad name. Labels are easy to produce, it's how you act that makes that label stick or not.