The current Haggard scandal and the long parade of scandals that preceeded this. The issue with pedophile priests. The Baptist church I went to when I was a kid had 2 of 4 pastors eventually jailed for sexual crimes.
So my question is...why such high numbers in ministers/priests? Specifically, do you think people with deep sexual issues are drawn to the ministry (to try to quash those urges) or do you think that these ministers suppress themselves so much that it makes them mentally ill regarding sexual issues?
Your thoughts?
2006-11-07 14:32:13 · 10 answers · asked by Black Parade Billie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's an interesting question which I don't think anyone ultimately knows the answer to.
I had this ex-boyfriend that I began to suspect of being a pedophile, and because of him, I looked up all the signs of pedophiles. One of the things that kept coming up was that these are the people you often least expect. Many are very religious. Many are soft-spoken and loved by the community. I found that very strange, that so many would be religious. But that's what all psychology websites were saying.
This does NOT, of course, mean that if you're religious, you're likely to be a pedophile. There are too many religious people who are not for that to be the case. But it can only be said that if you're a pedophile, you're likely to be religious.
I'd like to know the reasons for this too. It could be as you say, that they are trying to deal with their own urges and consciences. Or perhaps they are trying to cover up their behavior and become someone who is acceptable and revered in society, because in their hearts, they know they are doing something scorned by society. So perhaps they are trying to hush their own inner voice of guilt. Just guessing.
2006-11-07 14:39:53 · answer #1 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I don't think that the prevalence of pedophiles or sexual infidelities among ministers is any greater than outside the ministry. It's just that a truck-driver having a sexual encounter is much less likely to make the headlines.
I will say that for Catholics, the priesthood is a possible escape for homosexuals feeling guilt about their sexuality as it is a position that demands one to deny their sexual appetites.
That said, the dramatic sensationalism in the news of late, and in the past, isn't a hindrance to those who have a sincere desire to serve others. I'm a minister and have a definite call to service. It's not my occupation, but avocation. I don't earn money in ministry, but have another occupation to support me and my children.
Ministry is about service, and I believe that the vast majority of those in this service are truly serving well, it's just the few who do wrong that capture headlines, making the rest seem guilty by association.
2006-11-07 14:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any one can pretend.... being a "pastor" opens a lot of doors... just what a con man wants... the selection of a pastor by a congrigation is a very trying process... There are more cons than is realized by most...then too, no one of The True Christian Faith is immune to temptation to sin... some sucumb... this dose not mean they are not True Christians, just that they had a weakness that overame them... Then too... the forces of evil are constantly attacking The Faithful... sending one to falsly lead is not an uncommon trick of the forces of evil... and for sure mental illness is not to be ruled out in some cases... True Christians are just as mortal as anyone else....
2006-11-07 14:42:21 · answer #3 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALL blood bought believers are or at least should be drawn to the ministry in some for; evangelism, Sunday school, Bible teaching, of course we are all called to make disciples etc.
Secondly; God has never never never used anyone qualified yet.
Third; there are many examples in the Bible of men and women that fell numbers of times, failed utterly and yet they where still mighty men and women, think about Moses, David, Jacob, and so on.
Forth; there is no BIG and then little sins, God sees them all as a sin, disobedience
2006-11-07 15:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One undesirable apple doesn't smash the completed bunch. ok, i recognize there is been more effective than one "undesirable apple" yet in case you concentration on the variety of stunning, honorable adult adult males who're individuals of the priesthood (a number of whom you've common) then you ought to keep in mind that not ALL monks are evil in this way. certainly, I had an uncle who replaced right into a clergyman who if he were alive on the prompt might want to be really horrified and deeply saddened by the scandals. i in my opinion can't and could not enable this scandal ruin the affection and devotion that I have for my Church. It ain't gonna take position. The devil is sorting out the make sure of the committed, please do not enable him win. because the pedophile scandals got here to gentle, one among my former pastors has been charged, a clergyman who replaced into assigned to my parochial grade college church years in the past has been charged and my husband's prominent severe college instructor (a clergyman) has been charged. all the alleged incidents befell round 25-30 years in the past. i am going to wish for you and your daughter. may God have mercy on those who damage little ones.
2016-11-28 21:53:59 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of serial killers were raised as STRICT Chrisians, also. The clergy is "authoritian, ethnocentric, fascist-oriented, and generally prejudiced," according to psychological studies. Source: The Comfortable Pew, by Pierre Berton.
2006-11-07 14:36:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to make light of those that have suffered but with a billion plus Christians and 200 "bad" ones it's really an insignificant number. Want to compare that to another large religious groups' stats?
2006-11-07 14:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by Pearly Gator 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone is bound by something. I think far too many times people hear a "calling" from God, but they don't realize the first calling is not necessarily to preach, but to repentance. They automatically want to start preaching right away, when they need to be taught first.
2006-11-07 14:37:08 · answer #8 · answered by Gail R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there are all types of people drawn to the ministry. They all wanna spread God's word and Teaching but they are human and they will sin too.
2006-11-07 14:35:05 · answer #9 · answered by Alternative Chick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has their own problems, I guess that is their problem.
2006-11-07 14:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by Justin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋