I could be wrong, but it seems like when a priest gets accused of molesting someone the church does all that they can to sweep it under the rug. I remember when the first major case broke about 6 years ago, instead of the guy going to trial and getting put behind bars, the vatican bribed his way out of it. Now if you or i were to molest a kid we would be in prison faster than you can say "hail mary". I dont keep close track of these things but has a clergymen ever had to do actual prison time for his crime?
2007-01-04 18:25:51 · 5 answers · asked by southca49er 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They do because they belong to a very old very corrupt institution that said that sex was evil. It's not the 'Church' that sweeps it under the rug, but rather the 'Catholic Church' and actually just the leaders of that church. In fact it is ordinary Catholics that are bringing the suits, and are still denied justice by their own clergy. I am a Christian. I am a part of the 'Church' and as such I can tell you I am disgusted by what has happened. But it doesn't suprise me. Beginning with the first Greek Christians the various churches began to model themselves along the lines of political power structures. Seeking power corrupts. Finding power corrupts. How much better is Jesus' teachings, which are there for anyone to read: 'Yes, I tell you that unless you change and become like little children you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is he who makes himself as humble as this child.' (Matt. 18:3-4)
How many of these priests make you think of little children? And how many make you think of old, depraved pedophiles who have no business claiming Christ, let alone leading in His name. I can't think of anything more despicable than raping children hiding behind false piety in the Name of Christ. But actually I think Jesus addressed the issue of pedophilia and the raping of children in the very next verse. 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. And whoever causes one of these little ones who trust me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the open sea! Woe to the world because of snares, but woe to the person who sets the snare!' (Matt.18:5-7) We know from pagan sources that child rape was not unknown in Jesus' time. I think this verse is speaking about it.
2007-01-04 18:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by Callen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, clergyment are in prison for those crimes, and there are MANY MANY people who aren't clergy who are out walking the streets.
You mentioned that you don't keep track of these things, so why then did you post a comment that says "clergymen get away with it"?
Basically what you did was to say "I don't know really anything about this, but why is it happening the way I think it is"?
You might want also to do some research and see how many sex crimes are being done by members of churches other than the Catholic Church. It's not just them.
You might also wish to do some research and see exactly what the Catholic church has been doing to address the problem itself. They haven't been sitting idly by.
2007-01-05 02:32:42 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>>instead of the guy going to trial and getting put behind bars, the vatican bribed his way out of it.<<
You'll need to support that before I can take your question seriously.
2007-01-05 02:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not recall their names but I have read of a few who went to jail
2007-01-05 02:29:00 · answer #4 · answered by devora k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry you didn't get away with it. What else can be said.
2007-01-05 02:28:31 · answer #5 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋