Another Big Big Thread of Religious Discussion

[42PETUNIAS]

In a non-denominational church, that specific church is completly independant church, so it has absolutely no ties to any other church. The only thing there to keep it in check is the people who attend it, and possibly God, if you're into that sortof thing.

[Mesden]

Originally Posted by Torque

Not confusing at all...
But I'm not blaming christianity as a religion for this problem... I'm blaming the people who say "hey, this guy sounds like a stand up fellow, let's make him a priest" and then the dude goes on to spend YEARS molesting dozens of people.
How does no one notice this?
How did someone not take a look at this guy and say "Holy shit, this guy is gonna rape kids, I'm not making HIM a priest.."
We have psychological profiles for every other major 'power' positions...
Cops, politicians, firefighters, etc...

Politicians are the most corrupt, evil bastards a society can ever have.

Almost all of them get elected because the people voting for them go "Now that's a guy I can like."

They don't know this guy is a scumbag. I bet you anything in the world I could put 10 people in a row, 1 pedophile and 9 other random joes, and you wouldn't be able to tell which one is a pedophile. A sexual/control related urge has nothing to do with how you look or who you are in general conversation -- I bet you, aside from the whole child rape thing, these guys aren't that bad (I know I know, still awful, but still). You don't see anything wrong with them because the only thing wrong with them is something you can't see.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Torque

The church is the church... SOMEONE has to be there at the top of whatever church going "Person A is going into Position A"... SOMEONE is responsible for placing these people in these positions..
whether it be god, the pope, or someone else...

In my church basically all positions are decided by the voters guild, which consists of the longest-standing members of the congregation.

[Torque]

Originally Posted by Mesden

They don't know this guy is a scumbag. I bet you anything in the world I could put 10 people in a row, 1 pedophile and 9 other random joes, and you wouldn't be able to tell which one is a pedophile. A sexual/control related urge has nothing to do with how you look or who you are in general conversation -- I bet you, aside from the whole child rape thing, these guys aren't that bad (I know I know, still awful, but still). You don't see anything wrong with them because the only thing wrong with them is something you can't see.

My point is that if they can manage to profile everyone ELSE in the universe, and most places can manage NOT to hire pedophiles, then the church can too. Be it denominational, or other

[Ryanderman]

My point is that if they can manage to profile everyone ELSE in the universe, and most places can manage NOT to hire pedophiles, then the church can too. Be it denominational, or other

But most places cannot manage to not hire pedophiles. Pedophiles, get jobs as the same rate as anyone else. We hear reports of teachers having sex with students all the time. In my city, there was a big deal recently about a couple firefighters raping young girl scouts who were in a "Explorer" program with their department.

Most independent churches hire their pastors by a vote of the congregation. How do you expect lay people to know that the person they're hiring is a pedophile if that person has no record of such. It would take a mind reading ability.

[Bob The Mercenary]

I think that since Catholic priests aren't allowed to marry, this gives rise to even more temptation than the average person confronts per day. And in certain places they are exposed to children all day. Not that I'm saying priests are more likely to become pedophiles than anyone else, I'm just pointing out a possible cause for the rise in pedos in the church.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Originally Posted by Bob the Mercenary

I think that since Catholic priests aren't allowed to marry, this gives rise to even more temptation than the average person confronts per day. And in certain places they are exposed to children all day. Not that I'm saying priests are more likely to become pedophiles than anyone else, I'm just pointing out a possible cause for the rise in pedos in the church.

That and they are in a position of trust in the eyes of the kid so are more able to manipulate them.

[Serenity]

I always figured it was the whole "being a pedophile" thing.

I mean, suppose that you've got a desire to have sexual relations of a type which are both illegal and immoral, and you want to find some way to get rid of them. What do you do?

Answer: join the church, God will help you conquer it. Except, then He doesn't, and you're in a position of power over an instutition which is based, in large part, upon the inclusion of children in it's activities...

[Bob The Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Serenity

Answer: join the church, God will help you conquer it. Except, then He doesn't, and you're in a position of power over an instutition which is based, in large part, upon the inclusion of children in it's activities...

You're assuming that's why these people join the church in the first place. It's a very long process to become a priest, they don't choose that profession specifically to rid themselves of sin. It's more of a want to help others do the same, and evangelize.

Also, I go to church. I still lie, cheat, masturbate... The Bible never says that God will make you able to not sin by joining the church. It actually reassures you that you will sin and says to ask for help in times of temptation...which this guy obviously didn't do.

[ZAKtheGeek]

Or he did, and nothing happened since he was talking to himself.