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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I've been told that the Catholic Church is not the only religion with pedophiles. The Protestant denominations also have some predatory clergy. The Catholic Church due to their rule of celibacy might have a larger problem than the other churches. Celibacy within Catholic clergy is THE problem. Is the latency pedophilia within priest candidates strengthened by the celibacy restriction? In other words, does a person thinking about joining the Catholic priesthood who might have a latency toward pedophilia and in being denial find the conditions under which he has been placed too much NOT to fulfill that urge to molest?
I_dont_know
Level 7
Feb 11, 2018
0
While I don't know after much study that pedophiles are attracted towards the priesthood, I can say any position of authority does attract them. Any profession that involves trust from children is vulnerable. Sexual oppression does in fact lead toward more sexual desires. The priesthood is very susceptible on both of these accounts. On a side note pornography sells the best in the bible belt so it is universally prolific, it's just that the priesthood is particularly in the spotlight and particularly prolific.
Yes. Almost every religion has problems with sexual abuse. The incidents are almost always higher when the religion demands celibacy from the clergy.
Catholicism has set itself up for this.
If you're a gay Catholic, your only acceptable course in life is to never have sex, ever, ever, ever. In order to save embarrassment to your family, you're often coaxed into the priesthood.
Catholic doctrine over sin is strictly black and white. There are no different degrees. Having consensual sex with a same sex adult (or indeed an opposite sex one out of wedlock) is a sin. Having non-consensual sex with a minor is a sin. Catholicism considers none of these things to be any more sinful than the others. And its propaganda has always been vocally anti-homosexuality, while it doesn't like to talk about paedophilia, even negatively.
Then Catholicism takes that gay man, who doesn't have a calling to the Church, but who does have a typical male sex drive, continues to tell him he can't have sex ever, ever, ever, and puts him in charge of a choir or an orphanage. That man has to look to God for the strength to repress his sexual urges, but he doesn't even have a true calling to the Church, he's just wearing that collar to save his family the embarrassment of having raised a poofter. And of course God never answers (unless the guy forgets to take his anti-psychotic meds.)
Then the Church wonders why it has a massive problem with child sexual abuse.
I've said this elsewhere, and often get the reaction that I'm equating homosexuality to paedophilia. I'm not. What I'm saying is this if you take someone with a normal sex drive and deny them a healthy sexual outlet, you run the risk that they'll find an unhealthy one instead. The drive to have sex is very strong in most humans. Particularly the male ones. This could just as easily happen to a heterosexual. It's just that the Catholic Church singles out homosexuals for this treatment.
NicoleCadmium
Level 7
Feb 11, 2018
0
Recently I saw a doc on pope Benedict and why he left the papacy. It was all about sex. The interesting thing it highlighted was that one half of the clergy were gay. While there is nothing wrong with their sexuality, the church does make it harder on these men. It's unfortunate they are there voluntarily.
Just for clarity, gays and pedophiles, although often (wrongly) grouped together, are usually nto the same persons. Statistically, 95% of all pedophiles are heterosexual in their adult relationships.
Pedophilia among clergy is most common in religions that require clergy to be celibate. Studies show that persons who have no sexual outlet develop neurotic behaviors. In short you can't simply deny natural animal drives and instincts without it causing some kind of behavioral aberrations. Not meant to excuse it, but rather to partially explain it.
Such issues are complex with many variable and there are no simple explanations that can fully explain everything and thus no simple solutions either.
Most pedophiles are actually family members, relatives and close family friends, and most of them were also sexually abused as children. Thsi suggests behavioral modeling and imprinting plays a role, but how does one design a study to understand just how this works without violating ethical principles?
This is not something that is likely to be understood anytime soon.
The Catholic Church is the most corrupt organization in the history of mankind.
LisaVaughan
Level 1
Feb 10, 2018
3
I think other shorter lived groups, liek the Nazis under Hitler may have outdone them over the short term, or perhaps a few other doctoral governments, but over the long term you are most likely correct.
I've known so many children abused by priests, it is such an abuse of trust.
When I was a child we lived next door to a house owned by the Catholic Church where the Bishop of the Archdioceses lived. The Bishop when I was a child was a very nice man who always talked with us when we were outside (which was always when the sun was shining). He lived with his biological sisters and they were sweet and kind. After he retired the new guy liked his luxury and had no time for the neighbors.
Logically I know all priests don't molest children, but today I wouldn't leave my child or grandchild alone with a priest for a moment.
HippieChick58
Level 9
Feb 10, 2018
3
@Redcupcoffee You can add all religions which require their clergy to be celibate. Studies show that persons with no sexual outlets develop neurotic behaviors. In short, animal instincts will surface in one way or another if yo try to repress them. Thus, "celebate" clergy are much more likely to sexually abuse children.
@Redcupcoffee They (Christians) claim Jesus was not married and never had sex. Howver according to some Gnosic gospels he did marry.
I myself, question whether or not Jesus actually ever really existed.
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