Why don't religious leaders like the Pope, excommunicate all rapists, murderers, child abusers, drug dealers?

Question

I figure if the Christians, Muslims etc, really want this behaviour to stop, then they would use this punishment as a threat. To say people deserve a chance is to condone this behaviour. To say God or whatever will judge them, would be to admit that the church has no power. Thoughts anyone!!

To say that these are legal decisions is again to hide from responsibility for the 'flock'!

What is WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? Storm the temple no doubt... get called the anti-christ and heal a few people again on the way to getting crucified again. And the same people will go 'oh, I think we just made the same mistake'! At least Buddha admits there is a wheel...

I was being general re excommunication... ban them from the mosques or any shared prayer meeting... or better still, put a mark on their forehead right : )

Of course it uses fear, what is religious guilt... fear of being caught masturbating, abortions, taking gods name in vein... a pun yes...

Answer 1

Because they would have no priests left

Answer 2

These people have comitted mortal sins and have freely and completely separated themselves from God and the Church.

Excommunication is a severe penalty resulting from grave crimes against the Catholic religion.

It is imposed by church authority or incurred as a direct result of the commission of an offense.

Excommunication excludes the offender from taking part in the Eucharist or other sacraments and from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office, ministry, or function.

Excommunication does not mean a loss of salvation. However, the crime committed that was penalized by it might be a mortal sin.

There are a few offenses for which Latin Rite Roman Catholics are automatically excommunicated (the Latin term is Latæ Sententiæ):
+ Apostasy - the formal renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy
+ Heresy
+ Desecration of the Eucharist
+ Physical force against the Pope
+ Attempted sacramental absolution of a partner in adultery
+ Ordination of a bishop without a Papal mandate (e.g. all bishops in the government-run Chinese Patriotic Church)
+ For non-electors present in the conclave, revelation of the details of the conclave
+ Simoniacal provision of the Papal office
+ Violation of the sacramental seal of confession by a priest or bishop
+ Procurement of a completed abortion

Remember the purpose of excommunication is the correction and redemption of the person who has chosen to separate himself or herself from the Church.

For more information, see: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

Yes Sir! It would be a good idea and with no appeals to the higher court for a reverse judgement. Albeit then lets just burn them alive at the stake as days of old would have done for being an atheist.

Answer 4

Wouldn't excommunication assume the person is guilty? What if they weren't? Besides, what does the church care as long as they are getting tithes?

Answer 5

Excommunication when it was first introduced was a death sentence. however, these days the Church no longer controls peoples lives with that fear.

Answer 6

Do you really think people like that will CARE if the Pope excommunicates them? Why should he bother?

Answer 7

Because they are the backbone of the Church. When you're promoting a fallacy you have to work with some unsavory characters.

Answer 8

because they are freaks and hypocrites.

By the way, excommunication is a catholic thing, not a universal religious thing.

Answer 9

Then who would give the sermons?

Answer 10

W.W.J.D.