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Springroz	Where is everybody? Everyone is so quiet. Mind if I ruffle some feathers? Im sure everyone has hurd that the Catholic Church recently came out and said that they are starting to do SOMETHING about priests molesting children. A lot of people are now getting the courage to sue and take action again priests of their childhood who molested them. And bravo! Its been a long time coming. A lot of people have taken the oppurtunity to come out again organized religion, the Catholic Church in general, priests, parents, etc. Who is to blame? How do we stop this from happening again? So who is to blame? and how do we stop this? My personal opinion - we cant stop crazy fucks. There will be child molesters on this planet forever and ever. we cant stop one human being from hurting another. we arent that evolved. anyway, i do think we can do something about anyone who does hurt another. and i am glad the the church has lifted (or have started lifting) the veil that protects priests that hurt children. But parents cant lock up thier children in there rooms forever. I really dont think its their fault for allowing their children to go to church outings and functions. the church should be a place of trust, as well as love, worship, etc. parents should not have the fear of sending thier kids to school and the teacher molesting them. same for church or any place where kids run rampant. So I blame the molesters directly. but its not like they are just going to stop bc i asked them too. How a man (or woman - lets be gender inclusive) can look at such a tiny person, so innocent and carefree and funny and smart as a sexual being for them to manipulate for their own pleasure is beyond me. maybe there is a psychology major lurking on the board who can explain it to me. But regardless of what organization they belong to, be it church or state or other, should locked in a very small room forever with no stimulation of any kind. I dont care if they are men of god. I dont care what kind of collar they wear. I just dont understand why the church protected them for so long. Now all the child molesters of the world didnt get together and decide they should all become Catholic priests. I know there are child molesters that are garbage men, accounts, therapists, etc. they should be prosocuted also. So what do u think? [This message has been edited by Springroz (edited March 21, 2002).]
blue_psyche	as a roman catholic, it saddens me that there are many catholic priests who molest children. they are hypocrites, preaching to people to have moral values and virtues while they themselves are corrupt. fortunately, i'm very proud of Pope John Paul II for opening up this issue to the whole Catholic Church, re-igniting our consciences as to what is truly right, good and beautiful, and to uphold it and instill it in ourselves. now it's time for each one of us in this world to reflect on what we should do in order to make a difference in this world, no matter how small. even a "small" act of charity can go a long way, and can change even the most hardened of hearts.
sweetsnail	Personally, I think it's the celibacy issue. Maybe these priests think it's their only outlet. I think it's sick that these offenders take this vow of celibacy and deliberatly go against it, especially against kids. I mean, it's obiviously not done with consent. I'm not a Catholic and I really don't know much about Catholosism, except that it seems that there are a lot on t.v. (by this I mean a lot of characters go to confession, which I find very intreguing), but maybe it's time to stop the celibacy vow. It's kinda a joke if you break the vow. It can be a choice, still, but honestly, if they could marry, maybe they wouldn't be going after kids. Not that all of them do break the vow and/or go after kids, but you know, it's something I think about and have discussed with people. I don't really know about other religions, but I think most of them allow marriage, I know my religion does. -stephanie
Springroz	So you think that "the church made them do it"? Where the molesters before they took the vow? Or were they only after when the pressure of no sex became to much and they turned to children?
sweetsnail	I don't think it's the church's fault, exactly. They didn't hold a gun to people's heads and said "you will rape/molest children in your parish". I also don't think they were molesters before they took their vows. Basically, I think their sex drive was strong and took over. That's in no way a justification, it's still a disgusting thing that happened several times. But I don't think this is a new thing, priests breaking the celibacy vow. You know how people say that the reason we should legalize some drugs is so that the lust to break rules will lessen? In a way, I almost see this as that way. I don't defend these acts at all. But I do wonder if it would happen as frequently if the priests were allowed to marry. -stephanie
Springroz	So why wouldnt the priests just go to a bar and get laid?? why the children? you are saying that the male sex drive is soooo uncontrollable that celibacy makes them molest children? [This message has been edited by Springroz (edited March 26, 2002).]
caladesi	i'm not sure thats what sw. snail is saying? perhaps if the priests were allowed an outlet of some sort the child molestation would be less? i think the (majority) of the priests are targeting children because they can sufficiently frighten them into silence. this probably wouldn't work so well with an adult right? i too am in no way justifying. to me it is a travesty that trust is broken anytime, but especially with a priest who a catholic child would probably view as a safe haven. i don't think its intelligent to expect perfection from a human being. all men have testosterone and like it or not that does contribute to sexual urges. it sounds like i'm defending but i'm not. i'm just saying set realistic bounds and celibacy is not realistic.
sweetsnail	Yes! That's it Caladesi! Children are often easier prey (I know that sounds like a piece of meat, but you know what I mean, I hope). You wrote pretty much exactly what I was trying to say. -stephanie