isnt it said in the "bible" that priests are the people (i mean MEN ONLY HAHA ISNT THAT FUNNY) that speak gods word....that god has chosen them to represent him in a sense here on earth??? well if that IS true ..then why are there so many filthy, scumbag priests around molesting children???? ANYONE have an answer for that??? and DONT say that god forgives because that doesnt work here...just dont say it...a man who uses the idea of infinite good and rightessnous to lure a little boy into lude sexual acts is not forgivable....so PLEASE DONT USE THAT line...
2006-09-27 14:33:49 · 34 answers · asked by thatgirluknow 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
does anyone have any idea how many incidents like these have been reported in the past...say 10 20 years???
2006-09-27 14:38:09 · update #1
and for j&c H, MY question is stated in a way that i wanted it to be....i wanted an answer exempt from "god forgives" b/c not only is it an easy way to get points, its also a cheap excuse for ANY religious leader...as they are in high positions as it is, and just b/c of that they/and others feel that they can be forgiven.....so say what you want..but respect the QUESTION that i am asking...in other words..dont answer your own questions.. thanks
2006-09-27 14:42:48 · update #2
The abuse of children is an awful crime and never sits well in the mind of the well balanced. But we must never forget that the greatest proportion of abuse, sexual, physical and emotional happens in the home by family members, so one must be careful when singling out one group of offenders as not everyone within this is group is guilty. While care must be taken of children in these situations, we must remember that we have a duty of care towards the offender. This may strike you as shocking but many offenders are programmed by a history wherein they have been themselves victims. Nature has played a cruel trick on adults who feel a sexual desire towards children and this requires of us some degree of understanding and a willingness to help them. In helping the offender we may reduce the amount of victims and bring potential offenders into a place where they can accept their illness and seek treatment.
2006-09-27 14:44:10 · answer #1 · answered by Rabbi Yohanneh 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who molests a child is a sick scumbag. Just for the record, though, the problem doesn't only exist with priests. They've had just as many problems throughout all religions. Priests just get the most publicity because the church was covering the problem up for a long time, and they got busted for doing that. Pedophiles tend to look for careers that put them in close touch with children, and where they will be trusted. (Teaching, camp counseling, etc.) The Priesthood, and other religious leadership is convenient because families trust their religious leaders / advisers implicitly. Molesters are drawn to that kind of environment. That's why you see more pedophiles in the priesthood than you would working in other-child free- environments.
2006-09-27 14:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jess H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, they are not truly religious. They are on they outside for the world to see, but, inside, they aren't, a lot of them are getting caught by their victims coming foreword to tell. They will burn in hell for eternity with the rest of the pedophiles.
You are correct, this is a crime that is not forgivable, they are in a position of respect, a position where people are suppose to be able to come to them when these things happen to them, not for these things TO happen.
I think it is completely wrong for the catholic church to know about this and do nothing. To just move the priest to a different area, where he can again molest more children. Instead, they should have turned the priest over to the local authorities and let them handle the situation.
2006-09-27 14:56:16 · answer #3 · answered by creeklops 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This situation is completely unacceptable. Fortunately, it's not that wide spread, it only involves about ½% of the American priests. The numbers are actually higher for teachers, but they are unionized and don't get front page coverage. Protestant ministers also have been guilty. The highest actual numbers are of course from relatives!
All I can say is it is very important that we keep our eyes and ears open for any of these predators and prosecute them to the fullest extent. But, if we take the precautions necessary when dealing with children, like training, always two adults, background checks, then we can make this a rare event in public settings. Situations with relatives will probably be the most difficult to stop.
2006-09-27 14:51:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The percentage of priests who sexually abuse children is less than that of the general population. Any person who sexually abuses a child, a pedophile, has a serious disorder and must be subject to any penalty of the law.
The FBI's description of the typical sexual abuser of children is a "middle aged married man." A child is more likely to be abused by his own father than by the local priest.
As for forgiveness, you may not forgive some things, but you don't control what God can do. And forgiving does not mean the person doesn't have to face the consequences.
2006-09-27 14:40:42 · answer #5 · answered by jakejr6 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can't agree with you more. Yes. The problem with our judicial system is that those limp-wrist pansies (judges, prosecutors and closet pedophile-law-makers) are not afraid of those same predators coming after THEIR children or moving into THEIR neighborhoods. That's why in another post I suggested that all prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges and those on parole boards be required to spend at least one week (yeah, day and night and weekends) with the hardened prisoners so that they get a REAL sense of what they're dealing with!
Now, here's what I propose, and I am not a religious or superstitious person, OK? And I don't care a rat's fart over sissy-a s s political correctness; I just don't care!
Since priests take a vow of celibacy, why not HELP those that are found guilty of child molesting keep that vows after they come out of prison? If they're so righteous and they recognize that they've done wrong... and they "repent," why not submit to a surgical procedure that would eliminate some of their lecherous drives as part of their release program after they've served their full and complete time behind bar as part of the sentence to ensure they do not re-offend? Second sexual offense means life without parole and third offense means a fast trip to meet their makers (yes, capital punishment...)(and I do not believe in capital punishment except when it comes to child molestors, those that torture and kill, and with serial killers).
See, chemical castration only works if they TAKE the medicine; surgical castration PLUS the chemicals would help ENSURE that they don't re-offend, and that they can't do any further lewdness; physical and chemical castration has a longer lasting effect on the males. In fact, that's really what I would suggest for the rest of the pedophiles out in society and those behind bars, too. That's NOT cruel nor is it unusual.
What's so unusual about ensuring that they don't re-offend? It's not like we're stoning them to death or poking out their eyes or torturing them, right? Imagine all of the future victims we'd save! Then, they can get jobs administering the "gospel" to prisoners in prisons only, not anywhere near women or children!
Surgical castration doesn't ensure they can't get an erection... it only means they can't impregnate; so, the chemical castration will, in time, eliminate those lascivious desires.
2006-09-27 15:01:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, calm down a little and let's talk about this. No priest who does anything like that is doing God's work. He is not doing what God would have him do. He is sinning, and in a horrible way. God said something very interesting. He talks about people having more responsibility because of the position they are in. To whom much is given, God says, much is required. These men who stand in the position of "priest" and molest children, are in a very frightening place. You don't want to hear that God would forgive even this? How sad for you. God can forgive your sins, too. That doesn't mean it isn't horrifying, what they have done.
2006-09-27 14:37:27 · answer #7 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm a christian and don't believe in the position of the Priest. There should only be pastors and pastors are supposed to be married to a woman. These priest are not ordained of God and should suffer corporal punishment, or indefinite confinement. They should not be let around children. God will forgive them , but that doesn't mean that God doesn't allow Earthly justice. Sin has consequences
2006-09-27 14:43:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Our great high priest is Jesus - the perfect one. I am christian but not catholic and we do not have priests but as for filthy, scumbags infiltrating the church as an opportunity to gain access to children and the trust of those around them this is a disgusting and most horrifying thing and will not go unpunished. Please note that this is not limited to just the church but also to other professions such as teaching etc. Some pedophiles will go to any length to get access, trust and so called respectability so that they can get away with their evil intentions.
There will always be wolves who disguise themselves in sheeps clothing. Thank God for the true sheep.
2006-09-27 14:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some "men", even priests give in to their sin nature.
Forgiveness with God is possible, but there is also a human/societal price to pay also.
We call them pedophiles, whether they are priests or not.
It is even more disheartening though because priests are held in such high regard by people. When we think someone os a great role model, we should pray for them even more.
2006-09-27 14:38:48 · answer #10 · answered by Bob L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋