Do you think religious freedom should come above the needs of a Child' safety, Why should people not criticize

Question

an organization that is fundamentally corrupt and has an endemic pedophilia problem which goes right to the top of that organization? surely it is the responsibility of every caring person to totally condemn an organization like this?

See AT's response to this question
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlarY1NPebtuQw3hdQE9QzcgBgx.?qid=20061001165356AAPjhYc

sorry missed out an s

Answer 1

I totally agree. The Pope should be arrested for harboring dangerous criminals and so should anyone else who has helped keep these pedophiles from answering for their crimes. The Vatican and the entire Catholic church should be disbanded and the money and land they control should be given to help the people in this world that really need it. All of the writings, scriptures, scrolls and secret information that they have kept from the public should be published and all the art that they have should be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the needy and to the families of the children who's innocence they have stolen.

Answer 2

The laws are clear. If there is abuse of children, the abuser goes to jail. If you can't prove abuse, we don't send the person to jail. The fact that some allege that the Catholic Church has gotten around this is true in some cases. I don't doubt that. However, it is still their organization and the laws will deal with them. You shouldn't demand the Catholics rise up against the Pope because you think he is a bad guy. That is not your business.
Again, my beliefs are very different than yours or perhaps the majority of people in the US. I am not going to dictate what is best for their children. I think all should be raised a certain way, otherwise you are doing a terrible thing to kids, does that mean I should demand they all be taken out of public schools and taught my morality systems? No.
I also am not suggesting that we just let groups do whatever they want. There are laws set up in all the countries of the world. If groups don't abide by those laws, they should be punished according to the law. But you don't have all the facts on this matter and I would suggest protecting your family the way you see fit and allow others to do the same. If that means taking them to see the priest, then so be it, that is their right. There is also no evidence that this problem is as "endemic" as you put it.

I just wanted to add, I am in no way supporting the abuse that children face. Rather, instead of demanding things from an organization you are not a part of, I would lobby the government to impose stricter rules on that organization to assure the morality is enforced a certain way. In fact, I would argue it is your responsibility to lobby the government on anything you feel amiss in society, that would be the proper way to change peoples, groups or organizations you disagree with or find fault with.

Answer 3

First I believe that by all means it is the responsibility of not only parents but society to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Children are at the top of the list. If it is true that the organization you are talking about is corrupt to the top then going to the organization won't help a bit. Keep in mind that perhaps not everyone in the organization has the same corrupt feelings so you can't condemn them all. Going public with the information and acquiring proof of conduct will help to file charges with authorities. Boycotting the organization with proof of intent to corrupt works when done in a peaceful but public venue. Predators are hunters, you have to also, remove their prey from the opportunity. If this takes phone calls, media articles and programs, so be it. Let them know that you are just waiting for them to slip up so you can have them put away where they belong. Go for it.

Answer 4

OK, I just read all of your questions and the question that started it all, then researched it...yeah, its true.

SO I think everyone should express their distaste for child abuse, especially by an authority figure, and especially by an authority figure who's position (until recently) has been regarded as highly respectable.

I think those who were responsible should be given up to face punishment. I think Benedict had no right to decide the fate of the priests involved, nor did he have the right to conceal the deeds from authority.

However, I do NOT think that we have a right to hold the entire Catholic church responsible. It would be just as unfair to hold all Americans responsible for the poor choices coming from Washington.

You're right, we need to express our disgust against these practicies, we need to be involved, and we need to make it clear that religion doesn't get to decide for society (as Benedict unfairly did).

AT was right too. Catholicism isn't a democracy, the followers didn't choose their pope, and you don't have to support Catholocism.

So, blame the man for his deeds...not everyone else.

Answer 5

Religious freedom should be as sacrosanct as freedom of speech in this country. And freedom is messy. I agree with AT's response for the most part. There is no reason to believe that the teaching or practices of the catholic church encourages the molesting of children, nor does it condone it. So, prosecute the offenders as best you can, and leave the religion alone. (and no, I am not catholic, but I do prize freedom of religion and speech)

Hoping the best for you...

Answer 6

no religious freedom should not come above a childs safety.
And your talking of Catholic priest's by the way. those people will stand before GOD and have to tell why they did it. And I bet their words will get stuck in their throats.
And I do condemn an organization like that.

Answer 7

I do think that a child's safety should come over religious freedom. If a parent's religion dictates that they should abuse the child, I think the child's welfare should come before the religious nonsense.

That said, I also give a lot of latitude on what I consider abuse. I wouldn't consider child spanking and child beatings to be the same thing, for exaxmple.

Answer 8

you really need to find something else to worry about -- why not worry about the children that are being tormented daily by people - all people. there are fewer members of the catholic church that have abused children than their own parents and family members. while what those few out of thousands did - they are nothing like those in the other denominations and families that have causedd pain to children.

i think you might need to give the reiterating of AT's comment a rest and you seem to be takng it more and more out of context as you add new questions.

Answer 9

religious freedom should have large leeway

but in extreme cases where a child is seirously abused in some way, the government should do something

the problem is drawing the line and sometimes easier said than done.... is spanking a kid abuse... in my opinion no, not is done out of love for disciple appropriately and not out of rage... but some things are clearly health threatening like acting in rage or sexual abuse and in those cases the govenment should do something

Answer 10

This is something the Catholic Church is guilty of doing, hiding their pedophile priests instead of calling the police.