meant as a question of psychology not as a slam on the clergy.
2007-12-27 10:39:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many people join religious institutions because they have a sexual issue that is considered a sin and they believe that the church can help them overcome their problem. As a gay kid I deliberately joined the Mormon Church (no particular reason other than it was conservative and I could get ride from a neighbor) to help me rid myself of what I thought was a major sexual problem. Many of my gay friends had similar experiences. I lasted two years before I gave up and decided that learning to accept myself and my homosexuality was a better option. Many others keep going, get married and quite often lead double lives of deception and dishonestly. Many of these people often feel so guilty and ashamed that their sexual desires never mature and they remain attracted to young men, or closeted set in parks or restrooms.
Of course then there are the pedophiles (not gays) who join churches for the same reason but then find themselves uncured and surrounded by opportunity. I do not believe they joined to satisfy their lustful desires, but religion has a way of making people capable of compartmentalizing their mind. It is hard to explain but I did this myself when I was still going to church. With one part of my brain I could desire men, but then put that part aside when I was at church, praying, or delivering a wonderful sermon on how wonderfully Jesus was working in my life.
2007-12-27 11:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by NH Doodle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're not. There are a few high profile cases, but almost all the clergy men and women in all the denominations are not pedophiles, statistically.
2007-12-27 18:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Location, location, location.
Churchgoers tend to put their trust in clergy and associates like youth pastors. It's an easy magnet and a paycheck for some.
Like the answer above, it's access to kids. Sports coaches, clergy, teachers, and foster care.
2007-12-27 18:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They choose the profession to bear near kids and in a position of power
2007-12-27 18:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by Fernella13 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason there seem to be many who are youth sports coaches and teachers....the position offers opportunity--access to kids in a position of authority.
2007-12-27 18:43:59 · answer #5 · answered by Kennedy 2 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
What better place for a pedophile to go into than one that hid pedophile behavior for centuries?
2007-12-27 18:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not only does there position offer them power and the opportunity they are told to be celibate and when put in that position they can't resist
2007-12-27 19:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by Belgrademitch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thqts where thet hide and do the nasty things they do
2007-12-27 18:48:54 · answer #8 · answered by renee k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋