why do catholics ALWAYS defend their relegion even though historically its so wrong and twisted?

Question

i recently read an article of a priest molesting a young boy and not being taken to trial b/c the church paid his family by selling homes of the nuns for money

Answer 1

ALL religion is indefensible

Answer 2

You are asking two questions.

As a Catholic, I am shocked and disgusted at what has happened in our Church. The molestation of young people is an abominable crime. That our leaders were so ineffective in stopping it only compounds the devastation felt by many victims.

Part of the work of justice is to make reparations for crimes, when such reparations are possible. My own archdiocese of Boston has had to sell of significant parcels of property to pay for the settlements due to victims. While this is painful, it is necessary. However, some dioceses may have sold off their properties in unjust ways -- either by asking too little for them, being incapable of understanding business practices, or by removing tenants (like the nuns you mentioned) without consideration for their age or physical condition.

Of course, all of this is bad, and needs to be challenged. As Christians, Catholics have an obligation to seek justice and work for the poor. But hurting one group of poor to help another is sinful and wrong.

As to your first question -- Why do Catholics always defend their religion -- it is true that there are some Catholics are like this. We are human like everyone else. Think of the many Americans who defend their political party, no matter how badly it performs. But you need to look closer. There are many Catholics who are quite critical of their Church, even while loving it. It's a little like loving your alcoholic Mom. You wish she would stop drinking, but you love her anyway.

Some very intelligent Catholic authors who are also Church critics include Garry Wills and James Carroll. Pick up some of their books to see for yourself. There are also large Catholic organizations dedicated to challenging the Church. Voice of the Faithful is one, and was created specifically in response to the clergy sex abuse crisis.

Answer 3

We Catholics defend our religion often because we get tired of the multitude of ignorami who spend their time attacking it. I don't think your are really up to date on the many things the Church has done, especially under Pope John Paul II, to redress wrongs and admit our collective sinfulness.

As to the sexual molestation, it is a moral outrage that the Church is still struggling to address. We are all horrified by it. No one condones it or defends it. Steps are being taken to deal justly with victims, reprimand guilty priests, and put structures in place so that victims have an open means to report offenses and seek redress.

This is not solely a "Catholic" issue and yet we are the one's getting all the attention for it.

VB8

Answer 4

I hope you do not change lanes this fast on the highway. First you ask a question about Catholicism being wrong, then you make a statement about a settlement out of court as a result of child molestation. The two are not related.

We defend the beliefs and traditions of the catholic Church, but not necessarily the actions of particular Catholics.

Answer 5

The world is evil and sin is all over the earth. The bible tells us that Satan and the false prophet will burn forever in the lake of fire. The people who are doing evil in the catholic church will be judge from God. He has the last say to these evil men and women. True religion Jesus said is this! to help the poor and feed the children and help the widows. if the priest are not doing these things or Pastors then we are in the last days. Protect your children and yourself from sin. The bible tells us the last days will be worse then Sodom. Keep in mind you have a Angel who protects you and watches over you and will keep you from being harmed.

Answer 6

Perhaps the Protestants sects who have ministers molesting boys should suffer by making restitution. But they are about money and aren't likely to take responsibility for their ministers actions. There is a much higher percentage of Protestant ministers committing pedophilia than Catholic priests. Remember you live in a glass house that you are not willing to sell to make restitution. so, maybe you should stop throwing stones until your denomination takes responsibility.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 7

Catholics may defend their religion but non catholics are not so eager to do so. The right to have a religion is protected and the reason is very important. An Atheist should not be made to bow down to a G-d, A Jew should not be killed for not believing in Jesus as Messiah, you get the point. We all need to defend our religions. who is right? I think everyone and no one.

Answer 8

I am afraid that your "question" and your comment seem to be non sequitors, which if you do not know what the latter means is something that does not logically follow the antecedent

The Catholic faith has always condemned pederasty( predatory homosexual sex with teens) and pedophilia( sex with pre pubescent children of either sex ,which is far ,far less common in the current clergy scandal in many religions and not just Catholic)

Faithful and believing Catholics are even more disgusted than you are at the violation of our faith,morals, trusting and innocent laity,innocent clergy(almost all of them), innocent and vulnerable children and teens and we are calling the bishops and clergy and bureaucrats involved to account.

We ,the contributing parishioners, should not be the ones who are made to pay for the crimes,sins and sacrileges of the hierarchs and civil and clericalist apparachniki, who should not be permitted to avoid jail time for their arrogant negligence, IMHO.

I also know from personal knowledge that many who accuse are doing so out of greed or just plain malice or inability to tell the difference from fantasy and reality.

Those who attack the Catholic Faith because of the Pederasty Scandals do so out of ignorance or malice or both.

Answer 9

Catholicism, protestantism, christianity... they are all the same. Catholics profess to be the Mother of Christian denominations. They are ALL wrong.

They all profane the sabbath day (changing the times and seasons of G-d), they all teach against the laws of G-d (something warned of in Deuteronomy and by Messiah... if any of you teach the least of these to disobey my law you will be least in the Kingdom and any of you who teach others to FOLLOW MY LAW will be greatest). They are ALL WRONG and deeply rooted in pagan Sun God (mithra, nimrod, etc) worship.

If you want a pure religion, go to the root... Jesus (Yahshua)was a Jew, he walked like a Jew, he wore tassled garments like a Jew, he spoke Hebrew, he taught others to follow the Torah, he read in the synagogue each sabbath and he never ate pork.

Answer 10

I converted to Catholicism a year and a half ago.


In that time I have grown more in my relationship with God than in the prior 45 1/2 years when I was an Episcopalian.

Answer 11

Don't attack it and they won't be forced to defend it. And historically you don't know anything about it. You only know recently there have been some issues. I am not Catholic, but neither are you.