With widespread child-rape & molestation in christian churches too, did it make you as angry as the catholics?

Question

Many christians are still in denial about all the widespread child-rape and child-molestations within their own christian cult.

Like catholic priests, etc, many christian cult leaders were also guilty of raping and abusing children.

Did people get as mad at them, or were they more interested in living in denial, not wanting the cult name of christianity smeared? And therefore, never having to take any responsibility or demand any accountability?

Or was it because there is less of a direct hierarchy in christian cult groups (in some cases, none at all) -- and therefore, not really "one" cult hierarchy to point the finger at?

Christians, catholics, and non-believers, all feel free to chime in with your insights.

Answer 1

As a recovering Catholic, i can't speak for other cults, but there was an additional factor in the Roman Catholic Cult case. In the RCC there was a cover-up. I think that was the real scandal. People understand that there will be bad apples, especially among apples with authority to abuse. Even among Catholics, there were as many outraged cult members defending the policy of celebacy as those calling for its repeal. What people will not be understanding of is failure to do something about the problem--or making the problem even worse.

One irony that has struck me about the RC cult leaders is how humbly full of themselves they are. This comes through in the top-level response to the scandal. They're more concerned about scandal than the evil actions behind it. Priests are supposed to set a good example, so let's make sure that the sheeple aren't exposed to bad examples--even if it means pretending that there are no bad examples! The result is that the cult leaders, from the pope on down, show more concern for the Cult's holey and blessed image than they do to the victims of their priests.

Even the U.S.Cult of Catholic Bishops--who i think finally got the message (and i applaud them for that) after their own lay built a bonfire under them--were thwarted by their own pope. You may recall that. The bishops, in communion with their cult membership, wanted a zero-tolerance purge. The pope blathered on about forgiveness. (Here's a hint, Karol (and you too, Papa Ratzi, since Karol's no longer in a position to act): it's about the children. If you're that worried about what Jesus (MMMK) will do to the perverts, you can forgive them in the confessionals that you keep pestering your sheeple to visit. Try not to get your robes sticky.)

(No, Benny, keeping the homosexuals out won't solve the problem. It will only force you to ask the sheeple to pray even harder for vocations because, for some reason, the priest shortage just got worse.)

I think your thought that there's less of a hierarchy has merit--not because there's less monolith to point a finger at, but because there's less monolith to transform a heap of bad apples into a massive scandal.

Answer 2

I am agnostic and I am angry when anyone molests children. However you need to get your facts straight. The US dept of Justice has been after these cult people as long as I can remember. DO some research before you make broad statements you should be old enough to remember the the FBI stormed the camp and set everyone on fire about ten years ago I forgot the name of it but it was out west in Waco, Texas. The worst offenders are the law enforcement officers and the military personnel. Here in Michigan a state troooper or a sheriff was jut arrested a couple of days ago. JEEEZ!!!!! So chirstians are not in Denial they are the ones who are most likely to prosecute or kill a child molester. check your facts. Christians are most likely to turn them in. The catholics got into trouble because they were trying to hide them out and defend the priest when there is no excuse. If they want to get their rocks off the should do so with and adult and not rape and traumatize other people kids. How sick is that and to do a world wide cover up is even sicker.

Answer 3

I am not going to defend anyone, however let us take a look at rape and child molestation being done mostly by males. An occasional female is also involved. All it tells me that they have no control of their sexual urges, they are expressed in the wrong way and on the innocent children, that are defenseless (and women as well) Is there no way that some control can be thought in their education. It is thought in ethics and in Religious education, however many must have missed all of this.There are too many reported in the news on any day, and most of us would like to see a better approach to solving this problem on a more humane basis, and before the rapes are committed .It is obviously not a problem only of the Catholic Church, this is a nationwide problem. Tune in on the news!

Answer 4

Let me start by saying that ANYONE who lays a finger on a child in a sexual way is on their way to Dante's sub-basement of hell. And it goes double for those in positions of trust and authority.

As a Catholic, I have been furious over the actions of molesters (who I don't think deserve the title priest, sacrament or not). I have been frustrated that the Catholic Church as been singled out by the media when statistically molestation is no more prevalent there than in any other religion. But part of me can understand it. Thanks to the Vatican and the entire hierarchy of the Catholic Church, Catholics are seen has having (or thinking they have) power and who doesn't like to take the powerful down a peg or two?

My hope is that we can redirect the energy wasted on pointing fingers at groups to keeping our children safe. (And by pointing fingers I mean the blame game, not making the offenders take accountibility and accept the consequences.)

Answer 5

Well, first of all I always thought that Catholics were Christians.
Any defilement of a child is despicable...no matter if it is a Christian or any other person on the earth.
There is no excuse for anyone....I was disgusted with the Catholic church because they acknowledged that there was a wide spread problem with child molestation and they refused to let it become a legal matter like it should have. They wanted to handle it internally (no pun intended) and therefore the priests received preferential treatment. They should have gone to court just like any other child molester and had to go to jail!

Answer 6

anyone who rapes or hurts any child, I get mad at.

It's not only christians that hurt children, atheist, buddist, agnostics, pagan...every singe denomination has its share of bad people.
Unfortunatly the media has a circus with religions doing wrong. Its not the religion, Its the individual person. We all have to look past the media

I as a catholic, do not have to have any kind of accountablity for anything a priest does. I did not do it. It was not my sin...sorry

Answer 7

Where to start?

I think any religion or culture that fetishizes sex as much as Christianity is going to have a fair share of sexually messed-up people.

I wish people would see sex the way much of the rest of the world sees it - as a pleasurable bodily function, not some sort of horrible terrible sin.

Answer 8

Thank you very much for refering to my religion as a cult, it make me feel good inside. I think that we should be judging the men who are committing this horrible act instead of the relgion, or is that just easier for you to do.

Answer 9

You are using the word "widespread" very loosely. Child molestation and rape isn't even widespread in the USA.

Answer 10

Where do you people come up with this stupid stuff?

If you don't like religious people, why do you hang out here in the religion section?