The catholic church....

[mingster]

Is it just me or does the catholic church seem to breed some of the sickest people on the face of this earth? I don't know how it happens, or why, but everytime I turn around some priest is being accused of something terrible. And now this catholic school teacher has been arrested for fellating a gas bar attendant....

When I consider all these things that happen, and I hear the story of the gay student who is fighting to take his boyfriend to the prom, I wonder how they can be so obtuse! And so hypocritical!

Can anyone explain how this happens? How priests turn into pedophiles? And how the catholic church can still be so archaic?

Although I don't consider myself religious, I do believe in the power of faith, and I like to think that religion can make people happy. I have no problems with this. But more and more now, the catholic church seems to be some kind of backwards organization bent of living with demons, in the darkness.

What are your thoughts?

Ming.

 

[KiFe]

 

[stir-fry]

it begins....

the catholic church is evil.. just look at all the sluts in high school.

 

[labRat]

Catholics are allowed to do these things since all they have to do is go to confession and all their sins are removed. simple as that.

and you try being celebate your entire life while little boys prance around infront of you after you drink a bottle of wine. let's see how long you can last.

--craig

 

[mingster]

Originally posted by *labRat*
Catholics are allowed to do these things since all they have to do is go to confession and all their sins are removed. simple as that.

Seriously?
Is this the mentality?
Pardon my ignorance, as I have never studied catholisism past the typical shit they teach you in public school....

 

[Che]

There's sick people in ever walk of life. Catholics are just more in the public eye. Humanity is corrupt.

 

[Smiley Jo]

Usually steers clear of religious discissions...

Is it just me or does the catholic church seem to breed some of the sickest people on the face of this earth?

*pouts*

Guess I should change my name to Sicko Jo...

Joanna

 

[mingster]

I'm sorry Jo, I didn't mean it like that.

I guess there are sick people everywhere, in all walks of life. It's just that millions of people trust in this organization and give them money and they just seems so bass-ackwards! I'm sure there are good people in the church, like Smiley Jo! But I also see such hypocrisy.

Ming.

 

[Subsonic Chronic]

Yeah it seems that a good percentage of pedophiles out there are Catholic priests, or at least that they're the most high-profile anyway. Right now the Catholic Church is practically going bankrupt in the U.S. because of one priest and all the lawsuits being filed against him.
Part of the problem is that the Church has never really wanted to address the problems of sexual abuse by their priests, they've been just as happy transfering them to another diocese as soon as a problem emerges and then sweeping it under the rug.

I don't have a clue *why* priests seem so prone to child abuse like that, don't know if it's just more publicized when it's from the catholic church. For all I know, it could be just as prevalent in the Jewish or Hindu faith and we just don't hear about it, but probably not.

Pete

 

[Subsonic Chronic]

Originally posted by mingster
I'm sure there are good people in the church, like Smiley Jo! But I also see such hypocrisy.

Ming.

There's rampant hypocrisy in pretty much every religion.

And Jo, don't worry, I was born and raised catholic too and I turned out okay. (or did i? )

Pete

 

[Cheeka]

I'm Roman Catholic.
I disagree with a lot of the church's beliefs and I think that most of their views are extremely dated.
But I think and hope with time the church will recognize this and change for the better.
There is still a lot of good behind them... they just need to accept it isn't 200AD anymore and that they need to change with the world around them.
My biggest issue is their views on homosexuality as well that they are extremely sexist.
I also think they are being extremely irresponsible condemning birth control.

 

[CIRCE (Sir C)]

Hi!

"My name is Stephen and I'm here because I'm a recovering Catholic..."

 

[Smiley Jo]

Originally posted by mingster
I'm sure there are good people in the church, like Smiley Jo! But I also see such hypocrisy.

Ming.

It's okay Mel.
I actually don't go to Church very often anymore.
I was "bred" Catholic though, as you mentioned.
Maybe it was because I lived in a small town, but I never saw anything evil or corrupt go down at church. I was an alter girl for the longest time too.

Some of the stuff they preach at you is a bit whack, I agree, and the whole thing about Priests not being able to get married is just retarded. Going to church did have a number of positive influences in my life, as well as a few negative ones.

Joanna

 

[mingster]

Originally posted by Cheeka
I also think they are being extremely irresponsible condemning birth control.

Definitely one of my biggest issues.
I agree, it's very irresponsible...

Ming. <---wants to say so much more, but it's so touchy.

 

[Rosey]

pedophilia, like rape, is more an act of domination and exertion of power than it is of sexuality.

it's my theory that many catholic priests commit these assaults because they are petty little people who have nothing in their lives other than the small amount of control they wield over their congregations. that turns easily to desperation and that is where the assualts start.

i have very encountered very few catholic priests who really exude a strong faith in god. the majority of priests that i have known struck me as little tyrants trying to exert absolute dominion over their churches and the people who walk through it's doors.

<-- born catholic, baptized, first communion, confirmed, etc. etc.
<-- attended catholic elementary and all-male catholic highschool
<-- hates organized religion

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Che
There's sick people in ever walk of life. Catholics are just more in the public eye. Humanity is corrupt.

Thanks for that morning smile Smackers!

 

[AdRiaN]

The Problem

Roman Catholics number almost 1 BILLION worldwide. No other organization even comes close in terms of size. If you ask me, I would think hockey coaches have just as big a problem as Catholic priests in terms of sexual abuse ... per capita.

As for the question: How can the Catholic Church be so archaic? Well, that's kind of the point. The church is not a democratic bureaucracy with a mandate to reflect popular culture. They put forth a view of the world and a moral code which supposedly transcends the ebb and flow of socio-political movements. Everybody is free to decide whether to accept or reject these teachings. Simple as that.

If people are looking for a religion that will "bend with the times", plenty of other churches exist. Just don't expect the Catholic Church to throw away 2,000 years of tradition because Johnny wants to take his boyfriend to the prom.

 

[stir-fry]

Originally posted by Rosey
<-- born catholic, baptized, first communion, confirmed, etc. etc.

me too

<-- attended catholic elementary and all-male catholic highschool

me too, 'cept it was a mixed school

<-- hates organized religion

me too! especially jesus loving religions!


i was also an alter boy for like 5 or 6 years

 

[LeoGirl]

I think Subsonic said it right......there is corruption in every religion...
But I don't think it's the religion itself, I think it's the corrupt people who HIDE behind their religion, and justify based on their religion...

I was never brought up knowing any religion, but I feel that I've grown up a very spiritual and open minded person by learning from others with different upbringings than myself. I think religion is a label, I think we can all be spiritual without HAVING to belong to any particular group or organization.

 

[junglisthead]

the pope was recently asked about all these occurances

and he replied

sexual abuse was the product of modern culture, where sexual liberties had influenced priests too.

and the pope is right bang on...........

all this sexual freedom in our era, is disturbing to the minds of many

 

[Respect]

Originally posted by Subsonic Chronic

I don't have a clue *why* priests seem so prone to child abuse like that, don't know if it's just more publicized when it's from the catholic church. For all I know, it could be just as prevalent in the Jewish or Hindu faith and we just don't hear about it, but probably not.

I read an article that explained it like this: The priesthood is steeped in very heavy, mystical, and repressive tradition. Adolescent men are told to make an absolute decision of becoming celibate and devoted to god around the onset of puberty... and then plunged into a series of traditions involving symbols, robes, crucifixes, chalices, repression, and denial of natural urges. Then give them a high level of spiritual authority, and parade a bunch of innocent boys and girls around them, and that's a formula for some fairly deviant behaviour of all's not right in the noggin...

I think you're correct in the assertion that rabbi's don't tend to do this sort of thing - they're not celibate (I only know that by watching Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman in "Keeping the Faith.")

 

[mingster]

Originally posted by LeoGirl

I was never brought up knowing any religion, but I feel that I've grown up a very spiritual and open minded person by learning from others with different upbringings than myself. I think religion is a label, I think we can all be spiritual without HAVING to belong to any particular group or organization.

Same here. And I agree with you.

I also think that many things can be learned from religion, and that the good books tell great stories. I respect an others' choice of religion, I just question them being led blindly by the corrupt.

Ming.

 

[seeker]

Re: The Problem

Originally posted by AdRiaN


As for the question: How can the Catholic Church be so archaic? Well, that's kind of the point. The church is not a democratic bureaucracy with a mandate to reflect popular culture. They put forth a view of the world and a moral code which supposedly transcends the ebb and flow of socio-political movements. Everybody is free to decide whether to accept or reject these teachings. Simple as that.

If people are looking for a religion that will "bend with the times", plenty of other churches exist. Just don't expect the Catholic Church to throw away 2,000 years of tradition because Johnny wants to take his boyfriend to the prom.

man, you hit the nail right on the head!

i've been thinking about this quite a bit lately -- probably my latent catholic guilt kicking in again.

i've decided that christianity (in the sense of being a follower of christ) is good for me, but catholocism is just not working for me.

it's been a long time since i read the bible, but my memory is filled with tales of how jesus went against the grain of the church, and how he continually forgave people, and helped lead them back to God. it seems to me that more and more the catholic church is moving away from that ideal, and closer the that of the pharisees and high priests who opposed jesus and his message throughout the bible (new testament).

it could be my own arrogance, but i'd like to think that jesus would be pretty disappointed with the way that catholocism has turned out, and would probably encourage people to find their own connection to God.

anyway, that's my opinion, or at least what i can convey of it here.

 

[labRat]

i plan on reading The Heathen's Guide to World Religions once it is available. It is supposed to give great insight on how the world religions were formed into what they are now and basically they are all farces that were molded to fit a certain political and social shell over time.

it should be an interesting read.

--craig

 

[Rosey]

Re: The Problem

Originally posted by AdRiaN
If people are looking for a religion that will "bend with the times", plenty of other churches exist. Just don't expect the Catholic Church to throw away 2,000 years of tradition because Johnny wants to take his boyfriend to the prom.

fair enough.
but not letting preists marry was soemthing that the church dreamed up in like 1200AD.

1 Timothy 2:12
"I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. " - riiiiiiight

1 Corinthians 14: 34
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Matt. 23:9 - "call no man father" - but wait! catholic priests are addressed as father. how strange.