Do you consider Priests freind or foe?

Question

Would anyone religious or not trust a priest with their children?

I personally would not.

Tell me your thoughts.

Answer 1

I've known some very good, wise, and spiritual men who were priests. I've also known some cads who as soon as they found out I was gay tried to get into my pants.

There are good people and not-so-good people in any group. You could say the same thing about protestant preachers too.

Answer 2

If you mean as regards sexual abuse....

Your child is more likely to be abused by a close family friend or a relative than they are a priest.

The ratio of abuse is less than society at large, when you take the entire priestly population and compare it to society at large.

For example, say for every 1000 priests you have one abuser. The ration for society would be for every 750 you have one abuser. Further, most likely that one abuser would be a family member, as over 70% of secual abuse of a child is commited by a family member.

That is, if you want to talk risk........

you should never leave your child with someone you do not trust, no matter who they are. And even then, be ever vigilant.

Answer 3

A priest is a confidant.. like a friend. People just go to priests to confide in them. They also act as mediator between humans and God. Nobody is perfect and neither are priests. I personally don't need to confide in a priest. When I can pray to God directly about my woes and problems in life. The one thing that I do not like about priests is that they have their own religious rules to follow and abide by. Not God's rules or His Word. They carry their own religious beliefs and that is not true religion. True religion is neither rules-based nor ritual-based. True religion is a relationship with God. Two things that all religions hold are that humanity is somehow separated from God and needs to be reconciled to Him. False religion seeks to solve this problem by observing rules and rituals. True religion solves the problem by recognizing that only God could rectify the separation, and that He has done so.

Answer 4

I trust my priest more then I would a school teacher or next door neighbor. I consider my priest a friend

Answer 5

I'm an atheist, however one that was a friend that understood the fact that religious ideas cannot be forced upon anyone, i would trust them with my children, one who i thought was going to be to forcefull with his opinions to my child, no i wouldnt, a stranger (preist or not) i would never trust, i must get to know them first to be able to trust them.

Answer 6

Friends. I have never had any problems with any of them, nor have my children.

I did not leave my children alone with anyone, male or female, clergy or non-clergy, unless I knew them well. And look where that got me....My son was molested by a family member, but never by a priest.

Answer 7

Many Catholic priests are confused homosexuals that repress their desires trying to do the will of their god. There pedophile behaviors come out sideways when the suppressed sexual tendencies get mixed up with physical attractions that they remember from their childhood. It is a terrible dilemma for many of these men. But some of them actually act out their passions and those guys should be taken out behind the barn and shot.