Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Religion
In reply to the discussion: Priest found guilty of raping dozens of children (and a sled dog) in Canada [View all]Starboard Tack
(11,181 posts)64. OK, you say the other organizations would have disassociated themselves from the individual.
Do you think that this guy being defrocked was an act of disassociation? Did you read the entire piece or did you think there was some kind of cover up going on here.
We all know of the despicable behavior of other priests and the covering up by the RCC. But, let's stick to the OP, which is about one guy in the Arctic, many miles from the Vatican, who raped a huskie and several inuit children 35 years ago. If he hadn't been hiding behind his clerical collar, he would have used other means to scare and threaten his victims. To put the blame for this psycho's conduct on religion or the church is dishonest, inflammatory and ridiculous.
None of those other professions had the power and setting, which is perhaps worse. Coercing victims by telling them "god and hell" will reign down upon them for eternity should they tell someone about the abuse is indefensible.
Iconic imagery that is used for the purpose of reminding the "flock" what has been done in the name of a holy being. Or, what is in store for them should they question faith is inflicting guilt period.
Images of a man nailed to a cross which reinforced every Sunday affects those that are being abused tremendously or they wouldn't of kept quiet for so long. Coercion seems to be a common thread here.
So yes I am eager to place blame squarely where it belongs.
Threatening people to be compliant whatever your means to an end, is NEVER a good thing.
Iconic imagery that is used for the purpose of reminding the "flock" what has been done in the name of a holy being. Or, what is in store for them should they question faith is inflicting guilt period.
Images of a man nailed to a cross which reinforced every Sunday affects those that are being abused tremendously or they wouldn't of kept quiet for so long. Coercion seems to be a common thread here.
So yes I am eager to place blame squarely where it belongs.
Threatening people to be compliant whatever your means to an end, is NEVER a good thing.
Are you serious? None of my examples had the power? All have the power, from priests to cops to parents. That does not give you a reason to condemn law enforcement or parenthood or the clergy. By your reasoning, the Beatles were responsible for the crimes committed by Charles Manson's disciples and Jodie Foster is responsible for shooting Reagan and Brady. What if Reagan's would be assassin, John Hinckley, had claimed Reagan's love for Jelly Beans had prompted him, would you feel responsible in some way?
The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the individual who commits the crime.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
84 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Priest found guilty of raping dozens of children (and a sled dog) in Canada [View all]
cleanhippie
Sep 2014
OP
He certainly abused religious belief to acquire leverage over his victims.
AtheistCrusader
Sep 2014
#12
OK, you say the other organizations would have disassociated themselves from the individual.
Starboard Tack
Sep 2014
#64
You are confusing "an omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscience 'god'" with a human institution.
rug
Sep 2014
#35
A human institution that purports to represent, advertise for, and dictate doctrine/terms/etc
AtheistCrusader
Sep 2014
#44
That poster knows more about sexual predators than anyone should ever have to.
beam me up scottie
Sep 2014
#68
It concerns religion in the sense that the man USED religion to blackmail and coerce the children
LeftishBrit
Sep 2014
#66
Don't you like discussing atheism, which after all, is a meaningless concept without religion?
rug
Sep 2014
#13
I'm glad you like that. Look forward to keeping abreast on atheism in the Religion Group.
rug
Sep 2014
#16
I assume one of the faithful has stood up to defend this nonsense with some idiotic diversion.
Warren Stupidity
Sep 2014
#47
You two remind me of people wearing sunglasses and wondering why everything is dark.
rug
Sep 2014
#58
The "but everybody else rapes children too" defense seems to be popular.
beam me up scottie
Sep 2014
#69
I hope he's put away for a long, long time. But unfortunately he won't get the penalty he also
Louisiana1976
Sep 2014
#82