Exactly!

Typical, small brains, small dick people

Poor form? Just following religious traditions... F* them anyway you can!

I guess you don't watch the news! Child molestation, rape is big in religion. I know its not only there but they say trust them! Yea right!

Nothing is poor enough against the clergy! A bunch of child rapists. First they rape the kids' mind, later their body. If you think god exists, consider how incompetent, dirty scumbag he is!

@zesty Actually there have been studies that report the percentage of child molestation amongst clergy is equivalent to normal society. It simply garners larger headlines because they are supposed to be more moral. So calling them all rapists is a broad brush that makes it look like us atheists are irrational and unreasonable.

@mattersauce Could you please give references?

@mattersauce Also, from a commercial point of view, the church sells an unlicensed, poisonous, unverifiable product - existence after death. It is not even FDA approved.

@TheMiddleWay also note that statistics show more pedophiles are heterosexual than the normal public. So, to extrapolate, gays are less likely to be pedophiles. Not saying there aren't any. I taught and saw three cases of sexual abuse. One gay; one male to female minor; and one female to male minor (that case was never prosecuted although the female teacher went elsewhere to teach)

@zesty what @TheMiddleWay provided is a few, but there are more. Do a quick google search for child abuse among clergy compared to normal population and you'll find many articles stating similar results.

There is no commercial point of view and I won't even respond to that. If you hate the church then that's fine, if you want to convince others to hate the church then do it with the truth. When you start spouting propaganda and quips amongst lies you become no better than the church is.

@TheMiddleWay The John Jay report is compiled by the Conference of Catholic Priests! Are you kidding me?
The Newsweek article compares abuse by different religious sects, catholic, presbyterian, etc. Same excrement with different food coloring.

@TheMiddleWay Even if you accept "Forgotten Study: Abuse in School 100 Times Worse than by Priests". Society needs schools. Who needs priests?

The study was compiled for the society of pedofiles. Who paid for it?

@mattersauce clergy covers up of it more then others so we don't know how many there is for shure.

@benhmiller That's a baseless accusation that has no merit. I though we worked with facts here.

Sir, IF, and that is a VERY Immense IF btw, given the numbers of cases of Institutional Abuse cases being investigated involving religious Institutions these days, I'd say saving the ' immortal' soul of a child is the one thing many religions are most definitely NOT concerned with in any way, shape or form.
Thousands upon thousands of cases of Child Abuse by Religious Ministers/Priests are being investigated throughout the world these days and they do NOT include the abuses committed by religions in the past 2,000 years, e.g. the Catholic Church, up until the mid- 19th. Century was still 'creating' the " Castrati," from pre-pubescent boys with exceptionally good singing voices for their innumerable Church Choirs, such Castrati usually were sourced from Orphanages or unwanted children that the Church persuaded/coerced the Authorities to sell to them very cheaply.
Yes, as the word " Castrati" implies, these young boys were Castrated so as their voices would not change as the went through puberty, and on a further note, one well documented btw, the Castrati were also used as ' entertainment' for priests, Bishops, Cardinals, etc, as well.
The ' celibacy' of Catholic Priests, etc, is one word bandied around by the Church but is yet another example of the hypocrisy that deeply underlies the entire establishment since until the early to mid-20th. Century ALL Convents were required to have ' Lime-Pits' on their grounds, such lime-pits were solely for the ' disposal' of babies conceived by Nuns as results of the relationships ( for want of less vulgar word) regularly had with Priests and visiting Church Dignitaries/Officials. This is a FACT that my Grandfather, once employed as a Gardener/Groundskeeper at a Convent, passed on in his journals. He lasted 4 years in that job before he was so sickened by these appalling goings on that he opted to leave and join the crew of a merchant ship.

@Triphid I'm not interested in your opinion or your third hand story from your grandfather. You're clearly biased against the church. If you want to impress me present some facts or data that I can review because you and your dusty journals won't cut it.

@mattersauce
I tend to agree, even though I think Religion causes more harm than good.
In the general American male population, a conservative estimate is one in 10 was cause a child molesters act. Margaret Leland Smith, a researcher at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, says her review of the numbers indicates it's closer to one in 5. Even those numbers may be low; research suggests that only a third of abuse cases are ever reported (making it the most underreported crime). "However you slice it, it's a very common experience. Don't think Priest would be any higher rate.

Even I was drugged and molested at age 12. It was not my fault, yet thought maybe, it's the gay disease because gay acts were illegal at the time. I should of paid more attention to Grimm's fairytales story about Hansel and Gretel. I'm straight and confront every problems as an aldult, up to today. Although nothing wrong of being gay, just not equipped to join the team.

@mattersauce but he said fact all in capitals surely that counts as proof or maybe your right and he is just pulling bollox out his arse i favour option b

@mattersauce Try ACTUALLY watching and listening to REAL News Bulletins, try researching for yourself as I have done, try living through my experiences with the Churches that I endured during my childhood, and, last but by no means LEAST, try studying for a Doctorate Degree in Theology and Comparative Modern Religions ( it will only take you between 4 and 5 years) BUT try and do so with an OPEN mind, NOT one clouded by the indoctrinations/ideologies of whatever belief system you were taught from an early time in your life. I studied Theology, etc, for 2 main reasons; A) to glean what truth/s, if any, there were in theology and Religions, and, B) as an Atheist seeking to gain more understanding and knowledge of the matter/s than, perhaps, those who disseminate it actually have.
I won't tell that it an easy road to travel, because it is NOT, BUT it is a very rewarding one, NOT financially but in the Knowledge gained sense.

@Triphid So if you're so very experienced and schooled, I'd assume you can direct me to some reference material that can back up your claims pretty easily. I've done some research which is why my original post pointed to statistics that have proven that the rate of molestation in the church is in fact not more prevalent than the general public. If you disagree, provide something other than your resume to build your case because once again, I don't care about your background, stop telling me your life story.

Since you brought it up and seem to think I'm biased for some religion that I was brought up in, you are incorrect again. I never went to church as a kid, I eventually took some religion classes in my teens to learn more and that's when I realized I was an atheist.

@mattersauce I did NOT say that you were biased towards religion.
I do believe I have given you a good start point for you to research, i.e. studying Theology and Comparative Modern Religions for example.
After all, the best knowledge is gained from PERSONAL efforts and not from directions of others, or so I have found, since I was always taught from a very young age, seek and you will find, follow the directions of others and you will find only the biased ideas of those directing you.
But, having mentioned that, you could try ' The History of Religions and their Origins' by Andrew Carstaires, ThD for starters.

@Triphid So "The History of Religions and their Origins" is going to prove that there are statistically more child molestations among clergy compared to the general public? Somehow I doubt that.

@mattersauce No, I said it would be a very good Starting Point for your researches especially as it is the work of a Doctor of Theology ( hence the ThD after his name) and an Atheist.
You could also try reading the works of P.J. Slattery, PhD who works with victims/survivors of Institutional Child Abuse and Rape, etc, he has several books published on this subject alone.

@Triphid So do you have ANY information relevant to the OP or my reply?

I don't plan on picking up this book or doing further research into religion any time soon. I've done enough regardless of what you've assumed and I'm honestly done with your condescention when you can't even provide a relevant counter point to the discussion at hand. You can't stay on topic but continue to act as if you're making an effort to teach me "something" but have no way to actually convince me you have any useful knowledge other than yelling your resume at me repeatedly and saying I should read some shit. I'm not sure when you decided I'm looking for a mentor but your assumptive attitude has solidified that if I ever am it sure as fuck won't be you.

If you don't have anything relevant to the topic at hand to provide, you're useless in this discussion and if you're trying to find someone to mentor, maybe reread these posts and try to figure out where you went wrong instead of assuming I'm the problem as most assumptive assholes do.

Snickers, I think, taste much better that a priest's tiny dick!

What about grandparents? I've met grandparents who were better "parents" than the child's actual parents.

No, that’s just ridiculous. It’s paranoia.

There are some very bad people around but they are in a tiny minority; if you raise your child to be fearful of everybody you will end up with a paranoid and unbalanced adult. Common sense should be exercised.

Also, a lot of children who are sexually assaulted have reached an age where they go out and about by themselves.

@Cassiopeia yes. I'm paranoid. Family and very close friends (including abusive grandparents) are the biggest offenders most of the time. My parents were very abusive to my siblings and I... Why would we ever trust them with our grandkids?

It's called protecting them at all costs. They do plenty... But they are alone with very few people.

It's a very fucked up world. I'll protect mine no matter what it takes.

I am sorry that your parents were abusive towards you but your cannot imagine that the measures you must employ to keep your own children safe from your parents should be employed universally?

I have two young grandchildren and look after them regularly; I know that those times and my presence in their lives are enriching and very positive experiences for them (and for me). We play together, go out together, watch TV together, it’s wonderful. The first time my granddaughter (who will be three next March) said “I love you, Nanna” melted me into a puddle on the floor. There is a pic on my profile of me, when I was playing the good fairy in pantomime, with my grandson. I love it, he gets so proud of his Nanna on the stage!

If my parents had abused me as a child I would not even see them myself nor let my children see them; not ever. Your situation is a rare exception, your rules should not be applied to all families.

@Cassiopeia I believe your situation is more rare than mine. You had non abusive parents... That was great for you. Many MANY kids aren't that lucky.

@Clauddvon I believe that you are wrong; I do not believe that more parents abuse their children than don’t.

@Cassiopeia and you are free to believe that. Doesn't make you right. Doesn't make me right. My beliefs stand.

Not if the person is not known by the parent. Consider the Catholic priest that were trusted with children.

For sure!

really thats your argument well done for not thinking

@wellthen JUST because someone is religious it does NOT necessarily mean that they are an absolutely wonderful, loving, caring, community-minded, law-abiding person. Religion, just like many things, can and is often used as a mere disguise to cover up the real intents lurking below the thin veneer.

As a builder friend of mine once told me, " A little bit of Gap Filler or paint can hide a myriad of faults" and the same can easily apply to the Cassock and the Dog collar as well.

Really, Wellthen sir, do you spend your time solely upon deriding and denigrating others as you appear to have above?

If that be so, then surely your life must be an extremely boring and empty one to say the least.

@Triphid Agreed. @wellthen is a big meanie.

@Alimacbean, @Triphid says the man that agreed with someone purely based on his desires not the evidence shes not 51 nor intelligent and im guessing the educated part is not that great either and ali well done your my hero .....

@Triphid oh and those arguments as you probably think they are apply to parents to and nope lifes pretty sweet none of my partners have ever felt the need to disappear of the face of the earth and hide from me...... something you can't apparently say but hey

@Alimacbean Here in Australia we'd refer to @wellthen as being a "Dag" meaning a dried clump of sheep manure cling to the wool around the behind (arse) of the sheep, i.e. completely useless, unwanted, irrelevant and only interesting to flies and other pests.

@Triphid here in the civilised world we just ignore morons except when we feel sorry for them see what i did there ....probably not

@Triphid Unless this person was just having a really bad day, I approve of the analogy.

@wellthen Speaking of civilized, please remind me when Australia last had a MASS Shooting at a School, Church or any other Public Place?
But Hey, we are so uncivilized that we have a Universal Health Care System called Medicare that is available to Citizen and Free of Charge, a Social Security System that covers the Unemployed, the Sick and Injured and, Goodness me, even Pensioners, that's ever so moronic and uncivilized isn't it?

@wellthen ER, what desires are those? You do realise that very large, very deep mass of salty water, i.e. the PACIFIC Ocean lies between Australia and America don't you?
Oh, sorry, perhaps your education only extend to reading the Dr. Seuss books and the bible.

@Triphid yes im aware of the geographical locations of both countries and the differences in their social and medical services as i live in neither though im struggling to see what point you are failing to make oh wait i get it you assumed something ......again seems to be a bit of a failing of yours never mind

Sure. There is human garbage in some families.

@zesty Oh I know. There's some garbage in my extended family. That's why I would never leave anything of value to me with them.

@zesty Almost EVERY family has its ' garbage' and most families know who that garbage is and act accordingly, BUT, how can anyone tell which priest/minister, etc, is such trash and who is not?
So, why take such chances in the first place, especially with such a young and impressionable life and mind?

Could you please be so kind and tell me why you call me an idiot?

@zesty really i have to explain to a "intelligent and educated professor" how putting semi erotic pictures next to a post about potential child abuse could be seen as the work of an idiot

@weeman HUH??, Semi erotic pics??

@weeman Oh, I see! Would you like to have an erotic one? Or a picture of a priest sodomizing a young child?

Are you talking about her profile picture?

@zesty neither and if you can't see the problem with the picture question combo thats your problem and not mine

@weeman You are the one who called me an idiot. It is an unfriendly action. What makes you so judgemental? Maybe you need more sex?

@zesty Methinks that ' weeman' is suffering most severely from Cranio-Rectal Retention Syndrome of the first order. But, hey, that is my own opinion and diagnosis.

@wellthen Didn't anyone ever tell that there is NO prize for Second Place in Sarcasm?

@Triphid no but im guessing you win well done

@Triphid i do like that you argue from a point of not knowing though well done, anyone that stands on the side of child abuse well what can i say, if you want to see the pic i have it but thats prol not your excuse right?

@Triphid probably heard it all your life right

By definition, kids in an orphanage cannot be under parental supervision.

@zesty " without constant parental supervision"?