Does religion provide easy access for the abuse of children?

Question

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Doesn't religion provide the perfect environment for domineering people to satisfy their selfish needs (knowingly or otherwise) to abuse children spiritually, physically, sexually, or emotionally?
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**please note - thanks to all those who pointed out abuse of children occurs elsewhere but I clearly did not say 'only' religion. I am just wondering if people agree that religion is one of those things which can quickly be used by unscrupulous people in order to trick others. It seems like the perfect place for psychopaths to hide.

Answer 1

absolutely! i've seen it my whole life, i'm 59, and yes it happens as others have anwered, in other areas of the culture. however, those others don't carry the so-called justification of the GOD given right to abuse others! christians i have known through the years never fail to refer to the antiquated and ignorant 'spare the rod and spoil the child'. they consider this to give them permision to hit their kids...i abhor it

Answer 2

No, that would be parents who are too involved in their own lives to really know what is going on with their kids, and trusting complete strangers. I am in no way shape or form saying abuse is a parents fault unless it is at the hands of the parent, what I really mean is that it seems a majority of the children who are abused at the hands of a religious "leader" or a family friend etc. seem to be latch key kids Not in all cases. Abuse is a sad sad thing, that cannot be blamed on anyone other than the Abusers who are sick sad individuals.
I would say maybe schools also provide the same type of environment...now a days you here more about teachers sleeping with students than religious leaders..

Answer 3

Yes.
The process of religious indoctrination is a form of child abuse. They use the same ego-disassociation and fear tactics in all brainwashing. To use these techniques on helpless children is evil in itself, and it produces a psychological environment conducive to more evil later in life.

There are benign philosophies, and there are religions. Whenever religion interferes with another's life, it becomes evil.

Answer 4

So does many other occupations, clubs, groups, centers, and organizations.

Although familial oriented abuse is still the most common and religious oriented abuse is low on the totem pole, anywhere you have people in positions of authority you have an environment for abuse.

Religion is not as suspect as many want to believe. There are more uncles and cousins and day care providers that have accosted people than ministers.

Answer 5

True. This is one of the many places that people could hide, however it is definetly not promoted by any religion and is expressly banned by most. With any thing in the world that has the possibility of doing good there is the possibility of doing evil.

Answer 6

It CAN, but then again, ANYTHING can. Children are abused in all kinds of environments, not just some religious homes.

I was never abused.

Answer 7

Yes, a respected, control figure with the cloak of the clothe has authority and perceived dignity to do so.

Answer 8

check out the movie Deliver Us From Evil, very interesting

Answer 9

I wouldn't say its only religion. Its also teachers, coaches, bosses, political leaders, and just about anyone that has more power or puts rules over you. Basically anything that is in a hierarchy.

Answer 10

What do you expect if God himself used his own sons tragic death in order to further his agenda. What kind of a father does that to his children?