How many people out there (mormon, or ex-mormon) have been sexually abused or molested, reported it to their bishop, and he did not report it to the authorities as he is required by law to do?
2007-10-12 01:51:28 · 7 answers · asked by friendlyexmo 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Beta Fishy: If this were an isolated incident, you'd be right, but I know 3 people close to me who have experienced the same, and many more have reported to me the same. This is not a problem with individual bishop. This is a church wide problem!
2007-10-12 02:03:37 · update #1
Mormon 4 jesus: It sounds like your Husband and Sons are smart. However, it has ALWAYS been the law that this kind of thing get reported to the authorities, but it just isn't heppening. Either the bishops aren't sufficiently trained on the matter, or they are trained incorrectly, or there are a lot of rougue bishops out there. but anyway you look at it, this is still a huge problem, and a epidemic that the church wants to just sweep under the rug.
All others: I appreciate and respect everyone's point of view, even if I disagree with it, but what I am mainly looking for is to get just a glimpse of how many people out there have suffered the same thing. You don't have to answer on here if you wish to remain annonymous, you can send me a private message, but I am looking into a class action law suit against the church over this, to hopefully get their attention.
2007-10-12 05:13:39 · update #2
I think that the church is getting serious about this. My husband and sons refuse to do anything with anyone under the age of 18 unless there is another adult present. They are scout leaders and if there are no other scout leaders present, then my husband cancels scouts for the evening, and they just play basketball or something. My son refuses now to baby sit, even tho he is in demand as a baby sitter.
And I think that bishops are now required to report ANY abuse they are told of, the same as doctors and teachers.
2007-10-12 04:46:01 · answer #1 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you accusing leaders of sexual abuse or speaking of when a person talks about their family member abusing them? I have never heard that it is required by law for a bishop or leader to report abuse... I would think they fall under the "doctor/patient" thing but I don't know. We don't know who tells what because the bishop doesn't go around spreading gossip, so who knows how it works...
I have a very close relative who was molested by her older brother for years. He also molested his own daughter and later went to the bishop then turned himself in to the authorities... he was excommunicated, served his prison term, and is now out. He is being welcomed back into the church but will have to wait to be rebaptized until his 3 year probation (through the state not church) is fulfilled...
It sounds to me as though you are just trying to cause trouble. The church as a whole cannot be responsible for the actions of it's members. That's silly. We all have our free agency and the "church" shouldn't be sued for the actions of certain people...sounds like you are just trying to get some money out of them because you know the church is wealthy.
Church-wide problem, please...
2007-10-12 13:14:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is sexual abuse in any church, not only Mormon. Many predators have a field day in churches because they feel they can hide behind the trust of the parishoners. I was molested as a preteen at an overnight church camp.
It is your obligation as a parent to know who your children are around. We keep our kids as far away from church and organized religion as possible (although they are the most kindhearted kids and volunteer all the time! We practice walking the walk) Just because someone is a "Sunday School" teacher doesn't mean sh*t! They are still strangers.
2007-10-12 09:49:01 · answer #3 · answered by itsallgood 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not personally, but I have heard that this is the case,
In Islam they discourage OUTSIDE involvement,
they handle these things inside the church,
i have a few questions tho, why didn't you report this to the teacher,or police,
was this a family member, or what is the story,
Did he talk to the molester?
Just curious, because this isn't an open and shut case,
But i believe he SHOULD have done right and reported it, in the church and publically.
Meg
2007-10-12 09:03:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is also required to do so by church policy and by common sense. The fact that a bishop wouldn't, reflects poorly on that bishop, but let's not paint the entire church with that broad brush.
EDIT: Yes, I suppose you're right. If you know 3 people who have experienced this, it MUST BE a church-wide problem.
2007-10-12 08:58:20 · answer #5 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
All these will have to answer for their actions
on judgement day, I feel sorry for them,
they better get right with god and make some sort
of effort to fix what they have done.
2007-10-12 08:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by sioux † 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It was the bishop who did it to me. Of course he didn't report it, silly.
2007-10-12 08:55:35 · answer #7 · answered by Ask Donna 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋