Is there anyone here who left the Catholic church because of the horrid molestations?

Question

This has had a big impact on me. I know it happens everywhere but I can't seem to shake the feeling that, although I believe in God, religious organizations are just one big lie. My husband is an Atheist so he can't help me in my dilemma. Can anyone offer any hope?

snowboarder, where have YOU been??

hajgora, I plainly stated that I am aware that it does happen everywhere! Read!

Thanks, (((James))) have to check that out.

Answer 1

I'm exactly the same. I was brought up strict Catholic, but can't accept all the bad molestations and choice changes....so I've decided that my own prayers are just as sufficient as going to church. Not only those molestations have made me decide that I don't need the material pieces of the church in my life.....I also do not agree with how people in the religion use it to be judgemental of others....and I see how many people go to church regularly who are worse than a lot of people I know that never go. God did not intend for a lot of the stuff that goes on there in his name. He did not want his religion to be "USED" as a reason to be mean and judgemental to others.....or as a place to hide how bad you really are in your heart. I think God is about love, kindness and how to live your life right. You already know what that is. Just live your life now....and keep on the straight and narrow.....

Answer 2

You're feelings are understandable, but I don't think the actions of the priest is a reflection on the Catholic religion/faith. Jesus even said that scandal would come ( read Matt. 18:7). I am Catholic and will remain so no matter what. These priests were probably petafiles before they entered the priesthood. Who's to say that they did not use it as some hide-out. We cannot assume that being a priest and being a petafile are positivley related. Granted, some members of the church handled the situation very wrongly; they hid it instead of reporting these priest to the proper authorities. For that they will pay. Let God deal with this. This is His church and He will stand by it always. He will reward those of use to stand by it as well.

Answer 3

I grew up catholic and was very embarrassed by the actions of those priests. Although, I was not surprised. This world is so perverse and F-ed up that I am not shocked by anything I hear anymore but, I do believe that the teachings of the Catholic church have always taught that God gave us Free Will. We all have the option to make good or bad choices. Priests are not magical amazing men... if anything they are weirder and more F - ed up then the rest of us! I was once given advice when I was really down in the dumps about the status of this world. I was told to just continue to be one less perverted mindless stupid freak... the longer I remain a normal nice person the better chance the world has of becoming a better place.

Answer 4

The statistical percentage of priests who have committed these acts, as compared to the vast majority of priests who do what they're supposed to, is incredibly small. While their crimes are inexcusable and must be prosecuted, I have no intention of throwing away my religion because of the acts of others. I didn't create this scandal in the Church, and think it's ridiculous that some people expect me to chuck a lifetime of belief in the garbage just because a tiny handful of other people happened to make a mockery of their own religious vows. Also, I'm a former altar boy and attended Catholic school. Nothing happened to me during any of that, and the priests were my friends. The idea that every priest is a molester is outrageous. As a childhood survivor of physical and sexual abuse, I can tell you that, in my case, the Catholic clergy didn't have anything thing to do with it, and actually helped me immensely when I did decide to come out in the open about it.

Answer 5

I was baptized Catholic and raised in Catholic schools. I drifted away from the church way before the molestations came to light. I swear I never saw or heard of anything like that while I was growing up. I now go to a Christian church which has really changed my life. I wish I could adequately tell you how being in this church makes me feel. I feel so much closer to God and so much more peaceful inside. There are some wonderful churches out there. I pray you find one soon.
Never give up hope. You know God never gives up on you.

Answer 6

Well, an organization which demands celibacy from men for their entire lives, then houses them all together, is bound to result in some warping of the sexual drive.
There's also the argument that some people may become priests because of the access it gives them to young boys.
There are also lots of other organizations that have been wrought with molestations scandals, but most of them do seem to have some religious affiliation--youth groups, priests, pastors, etc.
You can still believe in God without attending church, and a few bad apples shouldn't ruin the entire experience for you. The thing that makes me the maddest is when the organizations (churches) try to cover up what has happened--when they do that, it's like they're saying it's ok as long as no one finds out about it.

Answer 7

I left but not because of that no. Nor do I know anyone that it happened to and I have a very extensive Catholic network at one time.
Corruption is in ALL churches. There was a break out media on the Anglican Church on the same scandal but it didn't get the ratings that the Catholic church did so they dropped the story. Don't but into the hype honey.

Answer 8

Not that those were O.K., they were not.

But the Church has worked to prevent future problems, as much as it can.

There will always be bad people in Religion, but that does not mean that you are better off leaving the faith and going it alone, there is still a ton of resources in the Catholic faith and the Sacraments that Jesus gave us to stay in God's grace. The scandal hurt the faith no question, but you have to ask yourself if you blame the faith itself for it or some of the bad people that got into the faith for it. Even if some were Bishops, I still found the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church and joined two years ago.

There have been bad Protestant leaders as well, and did you know that the single largest group of Pedophiles are school teachers?

Question, sure but be objective.

Peace be with you!

Answer 9

My Dad said he wasn't going back to church until they allow women to be priests and priests to marry.

But I think he was just wanting to get out of going to church.

Personally, I think priests have all the same human attributes as everyone else, and they stumble sometimes. Yes, this was a BIG stumble, but these people have problems. They need counseling. For the most part, I'd say it was a mental illness that drove both being a priest AND being a child molester. I only hope the church is better able to help these people in the future.

Answer 10

I was already an atheist by the time I graduated from the Christian school I was sent to as a kid (I actually studied the Bible as told, that's why I became an atheist), so I wasn't surprised when the Pastor ended up skipping town with the secretary / student he was having an affair with. It later turned out that their affair began when she was 15 and he was 51. Nice bookend effect to the ages, huh?