Rape in the Church, And with Minors.

homeofmew

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While the Catholic Church has had this issue for years now, it seems like this issue has spread to other Churches, such as Baptitst and other protestant Churches.

I have not gone to church for years, and If I had kids, would be even more scared of taking them to church now.

I understand people have a falling, but why does it seem like there is SUCH as issue in this?
 
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Aldebaran

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While the Catholic Church has had this issue for years now, it seems like this issue has spread to other Churches, such as Baptitst and other protisant Churches.

I have not gone to church for years, and If I had kids, would be even more scared of taking them to church now.

I understand people have a falling, but why does it seem like there is SUCH as issue in this?

I'm sure it happens in churches other than catholic ones, as you said. But my guess that the reason for it being so widespread in catholic churches is due to priests not being allowed to marry, which I've seen no biblical basis for.
I'm not catholic myself, so this is only my guess.
 
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bekkilyn

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It's always been an issue, but just finally getting the attention that it needed to be getting all along. If you have children and youth, do some homework on the people who will be caring for them when they are participating in church activities. Does the church require background checks? Are the children always visible and in public view vs. being closed doors? Are there any child safety policies involving the procedures that everyone must follow? Are there any procedures in place to make sure that only the adult who is supposed to be parent/guardian of that child is able to retrieve them after activities? Many churches/denominations are implementing these sorts of policies to prevent abuse, so it's a good idea to make sure your church has something in place if the child isn't always going to be under your direct care while at church.
 
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homeofmew

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Growing up, It happened to someone in the church I tired talking about it but they covered it up.
parents had an attitide that one bad apple doesntmean you have to dismatle the entire thing.

I like to call these sickos out just how I am, but Churches don't want to look bad. But if they cover it up, it comes out later anyway, and it looks bad they covered it up.
 
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eleos1954

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While the Catholic Church has had this issue for years now, it seems like this issue has spread to other Churches, such as Baptitst and other protisant Churches.

I have not gone to church for years, and If I had kids, would be even more scared of taking them to church now.

I understand people have a falling, but why does it seem like there is SUCH as issue in this?

Wolves are in the churches and outside of them. Parents need to protect their children from the wolves and that is done by always being with them ... as much as possible.

More and more people are not attending church ... but also more and more people are studying Gods word and I am hopeful that will continue.

If one should give up on a/their church, please do not give up on God and study His word diligently and teach your children. It really is the parents responsibility anyways.

Proverbs 22

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

God Bless.
 
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thecolorsblend

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I'm sure it happens in churches other than catholic ones, as you said. But my guess that the reason for it being so widespread in catholic churches is due to priests not being allowed to marry, which I've seen no biblical basis for.
I'm not catholic myself, so this is only my guess.
If it's due to clerical celibacy, why is it a problem in communities which allow their leaders to marry?
 
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bekkilyn

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I wouldn't be surprised to find out that most children have been abused in some way at some point in their lives, whether at home, by some other family member or friend of the family, at school, at an after-school activity, or in church and other places.
 
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bekkilyn

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If it's due to clerical celibacy, why is it a problem in communities which allow their leaders to marry?


I'm inclined to agree. I think the "because they are celibate" is just an excuse because there are plenty of child abusers everywhere in society who are married and yet they still abuse children. Besides, if priests really wanted to break their celibacy vows, there are plenty of consenting adults in the world they could go break their vows with vs. abusing children.
 
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Aldebaran

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If it's due to clerical celibacy, why is it a problem in communities which allow their leaders to marry?

It would be a "problem" no matter where and how often it happened. I was just pointing out that a prohibition of marriage for priests would no doubt play a role in why it is more widespread in Catholic churches.
 
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Aldebaran

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I'm inclined to agree. I think the "because they are celibate" is just an excuse because there are plenty of child abusers everywhere in society who are married and yet they still abuse children. Besides, if priests really wanted to break their celibacy vows, there are plenty of consenting adults in the world they could go break their vows with vs. abusing children.

While this may be true, children are easier targets. Sad, but true. The priest who wants to appear to be celibate and not appear to have broken that vow can continue that appearance if what they do with children can be kept secret.
 
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thecolorsblend

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It would be a "problem" no matter where and how often it happened. I was just pointing out that a prohibition of marriage for priests would no doubt play a role in why it is more widespread in Catholic churches.
I think you're missing it. We're talking about different pathologies in the Catholic Church vs. the Protestant communities.

In the Catholic Church, the great majority of cases are men being physical with teenage boys.

My understanding of what's happening in the Protestant ecclesial communities is their scandal is more in the vein of #MeToo, with stuff happening primarily between adults. Not necessarily consenting adults either. Adult men preying upon adult women, in the main.

So right from the word "go", there's really no similarity between the Catholic Church's scandal and the various Protestant communities' scandal, other than the general fact that they're both scandals.
 
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Aldebaran

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I think you're missing it. We're talking about different pathologies in the Catholic Church vs. the Protestant communities.

In the Catholic Church, the great majority of cases are men being physical with teenage boys.

My understanding of what's happening in the Protestant ecclesial communities is their scandal is more in the vein of #MeToo, with stuff happening primarily between adults. Not necessarily consenting adults either. Adult men preying upon adult women, in the main.

So right from the word "go", there's really no similarity between the Catholic Church's scandal and the various Protestant communities' scandal, other than the general fact that they're both scandals.

I see. Well, I don't go to church anymore, so I can't comment on those details. Since the OP was asking about the issues involving minors, I was assuming that he/she meant that the scandals happening in the protestant churches were involving minors too. It really shouldn't be happening at all, whether to minors or adults, in catholic or protestant churches.
 
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bekkilyn

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While this may be true, children are easier targets. Sad, but true. The priest who wants to appear to be celibate and not appear to have broken that vow can continue that appearance if what they do with children can be kept secret.

It's the same with non-celibate child abusers though, so really isn't a celibacy issue so much as a power issue of a child-abusing adult finding an easy victim. Children are easier targets everywhere.
 
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thecolorsblend

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Aldebaran

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That's an issue.

I still listen to Chuck Swindall and Greg Laurie on the radio most nights. I haven't cut myself off from all church input. I visit this site most days too.
 
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Kate30

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While the Catholic Church has had this issue for years now, it seems like this issue has spread to other Churches, such as Baptitst and other protestant Churches.

I have not gone to church for years, and If I had kids, would be even more scared of taking them to church now.

I understand people have a falling, but why does it seem like there is SUCH as issue in this?
It’s really tragic when it happens to anyone. For some it remains a nightmare forever. I guess with time God does eventually heal all pain and memories of such things. Homeofmew these things do happen. But when you look apon the size of the universal church. That percentage does become rather small. Yes we must be diligent. But we also must learn to love and learn to trust once again. I hope you do find a place that you can call your spiritual family and spiritual home. Perfect love does overcome all fear. ❤️
 
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