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02/24/2004: "Sexual Slavery in Christianity"

Experts' Report at Vatican Faults Sex Abuse Policy in U.S.
By FRANK BRUNI
A Vatican-sponsored report said American bishops' zero-tolerance policy on pedophile priests could be counterproductive. The New York Times February 24,2004.

Excerpt: If an abuser is at high risk of hurting another child, Dr. Hanson said, 'he may be better off in the church, where there are strong supervisory structures, than in somebody else's backyard."
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Please click "more" below to read Realist Comments

Realist Comment: This is just one of many incredible statements made during this shameful Christian sex-scandal. We have all seen the lawsuits against the church by people abused by these priests, with pay-outs in the millions of dollars.

I think the priests themselves have an equally good lawsuit against the church. Many of these men were indoctrinated, at a very vulnerable age, to believe that God wanted them to forego their sex life. They have been robbed of all of the things that make this life worth living: a loving relationship with a woman, the chance to reproduce, have a family, and to experience the immense joy that comes from a normal sex-life. Who among us does not understand their frustration?

We must admit that there is something terribly wrong in Christianity, and try to free these men from Christian sexual slavery - starting with the Pope, right on down to the parish priests. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" John 8:32.

Please download a copy of my book, and help us free these poor priests from this slavery, which began in the deep ignorance of the dark ages.

Please visit: www.realists.org

Replies: 1 Comment

on Tuesday, February 24th, smilin12002@yahoo.com">John (wizurd_man) said

Celibacy has existed in one form or another throughout our religious history and has appeared in certainly most, if not all, major traditions of the world. Generally, wherever celibacy has appeared, there has been emphasis on the view that a life revolving around religion is a life that is essentially different, even alienated, from normal life within structured society as well as the normal drives of human nature. It symbolizes and demonstrates a dependency upon the sacred, internal wholeness, self-sufficiency of holiness, a life which does not need the opposite sex for completeness. Catholicism does not have a monopoly on the requirement of celibacy for its priesthood. And it most certainly did not invent it. However, just as in primitive and archaic religions, celibacy among the priesthood functions as a means of ritual purification and the whole idea of sexuality is pervaded by negative taboos. Sexual abstinence was very much a characteristic of the religions and cults, such as the Great Mother cults, which were eventually displaced by Christianity, set the stage for Christian celibacy and monasticism. It was simply just another aspect of older "pagan" religious practice which was adopted, adapted, and assimilated into the new religion because it's similarity to the old way eased the transition. It was also one of those sacred aspects necessary in order for the new religion to be competitive. The Roman Catholic law of clerical celibacy is of ecclesiastical origin. It is not considered infallible or divine, therefore it can be changed and should be. However, there are those who believe that Jesus was celibate, despite the silence of the gospels on the subject. The bible certainly does not say that he was celibate; nor does it say he did not marry or have children. Celibacy was not practiced in Judaism in the same way and to the same degree it became a 'rule' of Christianity. In fact such a practice would have been viewed as suspect deviation among the Jews. Jesus was accused of breaking specific laws but nothing was said about him having peculiar and frowned-upon ways regarding traditional marriage and family traditions. It seems more likely than not that he was not celibate and was married and had children as well. But that's another subject (or is it?) Even among modern Protestant sects of Christianity, it is widely believed that Jesus was celibate, did not marry, and did not have children. Even today many protestants are still under the influence of 10th and 11th century Catholicism. I believe that the requirement for celibacy will be changed sooner rather than later, but not without some difficulty and turmoil.