Why are some religions more tolerant of pedophilia than homosexuality?

Question

Does permanently damaging an innocent child's mind somehow seem more acceptable to you?

Homosexual priests are excommunicated right away, but a priest accused of pedophilia is simply transfered.

Answer 1

Double standard and hypocrisy. Also to protect their own inner circle (i.e. priests), as well as the religions overall reputation by sweeping it under the rug.

Answer 2

Um that's not true. Homosexual priest are no excommunicated right away. Please do not spread lies you cannot back up.

Priests accused of sexual abuse today are immediately removed from a parish until it can be determined if the allegations are true. A priest found guilty is defrocked.

The idea that there are a lot of pedophile preists is just plain wrong. Something propogated by the media. Most of the sexual abuse that happened is from a long time ago...prior to our society telling children not to let anyone touch them etc. etc. Not an excuse just an observation. Most of the priests who were accused of sexual abuse are homosexual priests...and their crime is called pederasty not pedophila. Again...it's all sinful and wrong but at least get your terms straight. They chose to sexually abuse post-pubescent teens...mostly young men in their mid to late teens. This is called pederasty. Pedophila is an attraction to pre-pubescent children.

So, with the Catholic church's specific abuse problem the sexual abuse and the homosexuality are intertwined. Many of them (not all) were homosexual men going after young teenage boys. It's all wrong, it's all sick and should never have been covered up.

But additionally, it is far from a Catholic problem. There are more Protestant clergy that abuse children and teens each year. There are more teachers that abuse children and teens each year. Why is it more acceptable for Protestants and teachers to abuse our children and teens then it is for Catholic priests? It should NOT be acceptable for anyone to abuse anyone...child, teen or adult.

The Catholic Church does not accept homosexuality nor pedophilia. It's easy to judge the actions of people some 30, 40 and even 50 years ago by todays standards...but you were not there at the time and do not know the circumstances.

I was in school in the 70s and there were many problems with teachers being inapproprate with students. There was no program in place for us, there were no classes on good touches and bad touches, and guess what they did with teachers who were causing problems....yep...they moved them to other schools or other positions within the school. That was S.O.P. back in the 70s and probably way before that.

The Associated Press just reported that 2500 teachers were involved in sex abuse cases in the last 5 years alone!!! That number is astounding...but where is the media outcry?
http://www.bostoninjurylawyerblog.com/2007/10/ap_reports_2500_incidents_of_t.html

My point is that sexual abuse of any kind is wrong and needs to be stopped. Trying to make it a Catholic issue will only serve to allow others to freely abuse our young people without worry since everyone is focusing on the Catholic clergy. While people are focused on the church, our teachers, coaches, non-Catholic clergy are operating without fear!!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/local/coaches/
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/Webzine/0202/sexualabuse.html
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/168452
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/4/5/01552.shtml
http://www.fisheaters.com/clergysexabuse.html
http://www.catholicleague.org/research/abuse_in_social_context.htm

Answer 3

Perhaps because the bible explicitly forbids homosexuality but not paedophilia.

Its just another example of how disconnected the bible is from modern life.

If the bible really was the work of an all powerful, all knowing, loving god it would have anticipated these social changes which now make the bible look hopelessly out of touch.

The bible is just a complete load of primitive twaddle written by Bronze Age men. It only made any sense in the age it was written and is either irreleavant or utterly odious when viewed by todays standards. Any sensible person can see that.

Answer 4

Because what the public doesn't know won't hurt the priests.Though it might hurt the kids.But what the public does know- about homosexuality- gives the priests something to focus their attention on as a subject to take away the attention of everything else.

Answer 5

What a great point ! I'm curious about this too ! I'm disgusted by pedophilia but, I support homosexuality and I don't think that it should be looked down upon as much as it is. If homosexuality is wrong b/c they cannot procreate... then how many straight couples are sinning b/c ALOT of them are having sex and avoiding procreation too ! And, does the church see anal sex or oral sex between a straight couple as being as "bad" as homosexuality ? I doubt it....

Answer 6

Personally i have not heard of a religion that condones or even permits such a thing.
Harming a young child is reprehensible and should be dealt with with sever punishments.
Why would anyone want to rob a youngster from a peaceful futer?

Answer 7

Anyone can call thierselves a religion, and if the Church condones that sort of behavior, then people are in the wrong church, because it has nothing to do with God.
That is pure blantant sin, and to call upon Gods name while committing such sin, the church will not get response, God is Holy and cannot be associated with Sin, We can only talk to The Lord through Jesus Christ when we have forgiveness and repent of our sins.

Answer 8

I don't know that most religions are more tolerant of one than the other... I just know that many religions (at least Christians religions) put the two on equal footing, saying one is no better or worse than the other.

Answer 9

Because those that preach against homosexuality are those that aren't comfortably with their own sexuality, as if threatened, but Paedophilia would be classed differently, as if the abuser was in control, so I suppose it is to do with control an innocents

Answer 10

You mean like catholicism and christianity? I've wondered that myself. The conservatives SAY that they are concerned about homosexuality, but we know that what they MEAN is that they are homosexuals so it's okay. As to the religions, beats the heck out of me why loving another member of the same sex is worse than destroying the life of some little kid. Just one of the reasons I say that even if they're right -- they're wrong.