13th October 2010

“The prevalence of masturbation in seminaries, and the ready forgiveness in confession, ‘forms a cycle of guilt that binds clerics and confessors together wherein secret sexual transgressions become minimalised and trivialised – even sex with minors becomes just another sin to be forgiven'”

Geoffrey Robertson

18 Responses to “13th October 2010”

  1. opleaze............. Says:

    gimme that ole time religion……………!!!!!

  2. Ernie Says:

    And the sins never go away no matter the sacrifice or begging forgiveness.

  3. tech Says:

    Why is it that you can see the your fellow man,s eye but the beam of wood in your own?You will be judged by the rule you judge others.

  4. tech Says:

    sorry guys i’m not with today. It should read see the speck in your fellowmans eye.

  5. Dan Says:

    “You will be judged by the rule you judge others.”

    Yeah, we judge pedophile priests harshly. You don’t???

  6. Eric Says:

    Seems a pretty bold statement to make. I hope he has hella’ good data. I think its pretty critical to be certain that we don’t make statements based on anecdote. That’s how religion works, not skeptical atheism.

  7. Eric Says:

    And for tech,

  8. Eric Says:

    Oops, pressed tab. I would judge them the way I would expect to be judged myself.

  9. Ernie Says:

    You are correct Eric. And tech what makes you think we don’t judge ourselves?

  10. tech Says:

    Guys why is it I always seem to come across the way to you guys?I don’t judge anyone.I leave the law handle the law.Just because I think someone is guilty of something,its not in my power to act on it.You mentioned pedophiles, I think its sick and yes they seldom do get what they deserve.Thats is the law fault.It don’t mean that I agree with it. But the law is suppose to work but it doesn’t always.They will be punished for their sins.

  11. CaptainZero Says:

    Tech – I know the biblical quote you were trying for. Question is, how is it pertinent to todays topic? Is it not right to point to sexual crimes and call them evil no matter who commits them? That the Catholic church committed and worked to hide their crimes against thousands of children that they were entrusted with is a matter of public record and deserves nothing less than universal condemnation. Where in this is the wooden beam that is supposed to be in our eyes? Your comment suggests it’s somehow wrong to hold people and organizations accountable for their actions. We do judge and we are right to do so. God and hell are equally non-existent so waiting for that justice is the same as anarchy.

  12. GreatEighthSin Says:

    Well, here’s the problem, what does the bible say about pedophilia? Anything? Anything at all? So, in the eyes of the bible, is pedophilia even wrong since there’s no mention of it? I can even step it up a notch and add in a little Deut law on marriage and how it can be an even greater threat from pedophilia.

    Deut: 22:28 If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.

    So, rape a female child, make sure someone catches you, pay the silver, repent your actions, and you get to keep her forever and have your way with her. Pedobear truly approves.

  13. Dan Says:

    Tech,
    One sentence you say, “I don’t judge anyone,” and a couple sentences later you say, “You mentioned pedophiles, I think its sick and yes they seldom do get what they deserve.”

    You just lied, and then judged people. Heck, it makes you human to judge pedophilia as bad, at least, but in this case it also makes you a very self-unaware person.

  14. Dan Says:

    Oh, and as to why you always come across sounding so ridiculous, tech, the reason is obvious: You haven’t thought too critically about these things, and as a result you miss a lot of deep flaws in your arguments.

  15. Atheist MC Says:

    The quote sounds very speculative to me. The general principle of course is one of Catholicisms more ridiculous concepts, that confessing a “sin” leaves you pretty much clear to commit it again as long as you confess again.
    BTW who told these priests that masturbation was sinful in the first place? Oh yeah!

  16. tech Says:

    Your right guys, half the stuff you talk about on here pertains to religion.Its seems the Catholic Church, being your favorite target.I’m not Catholic. I’m not a religious person.I’m a Christian.I do not follow every wind of doctrine. I also know whats Right and whats Wrong.Child abuse is WRONG.And with it happens by someone who’s been put in a place of Trust.Its just seems all that much worst .So gentlemen don’t direct your quotes at me as if I condone any scandals that go on in the Catholic Church,cause I highly disapprove.

  17. Ernie Says:

    Well tech you do walk the walk and talk the talk. To me you appear religious.

  18. Dan Says:

    tech,
    We were directing our quotes at you because you said you don’t judge – given the topic of this quote, you therefore implied that you don’t take sides on whether pedophilia is bad. THAT is the main reason why we (or at least I) was so critical of you in this thread.

    Good for you though, in agreeing with our judgement that pedophilia is very wrong. Seriously. Sometimes it’s perfectly okay to judge behaviors as wrong.