Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report

[webfact]

Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report

By Philip Pullella and Scott Malone

 

FILE PHOTO: Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick from U.S. arrives for a meeting at the Synod Hall in the Vatican March 7, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo

 

VATICAN CITY/BOSTON (Reuters) - The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" on Thursday over revelations that Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades, vowing to hold abusers and those who protected them accountable.

 

In a long statement that broke the Vatican's silence over a damning U.S. grand jury report that has shaken the American Church, spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See was taking the report "with great seriousness".

 

He stressed the "need to comply" with civil law, including mandatory reporting of abuse against minors and said Pope Francis understands how "these crimes can shake the faith and spirit of believers" and that the pontiff wanted to "root out this tragic horror".

 

The grand jury on Tuesday released the findings of the largest-ever investigation of sex abuse in the U.S. Catholic Church, finding that 301 priests in the state had sexually abused minors over the past 70 years. It contained graphic examples of children being groomed and sexually abused by priests.

 

"The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible. Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith," Burke said.

 

"The Church must learn hard lessons from its past, and there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted abuse to occur," he said.

 

His statement came hours after U.S. bishops called for a Vatican-led probe backed by lay investigators into allegations of sexual abuse by former Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who resigned last month.. The Vatican did not directly address their request.

 

Pope Francis accepted McCarrick's resignation in July after American church officials said allegations that he sexually abused a 16-year-old boy almost 50 years ago were credible and substantiated.

 

McCarrick was possibly the first cardinal to resign since French theologian Louis Billot, who according to the National Catholic Reporter, a US newspaper, left over a disagreement with Pope Pius XI in 1927.

 

"The overarching goal in all of this is stronger protections against predators in the Church and anyone who would conceal them, protections that will hold bishops to the highest standards of transparency and accountability," Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement.

 

The bishops said they would create a new way to report accusations of sexual abuse by clergy members and for claims to be investigated without interference from bishops overseeing priests accused of sex abuse. They said it would involve more church members who were not clergy but had expertise in law enforcement or psychology.

 

Nick Ingala, a spokesman for Voice of the Faithful, a group formed to promote parishioners' voices after the abuse scandal surfaced, said it was heartening that bishops wanted to set up an independent review process but he expressed scepticism that it would be successful.

 

"I don't know how they are going to work that out," Ingala said in a telephone interview. "I'm always hesitant to give 100 percent credence to any plan the bishops put forth based upon experiences in the past."

 

The Pennsylvania grand jury report was the latest revelation in a scandal that erupted onto the global stage in 2002, when the Boston Globe newspaper reported that for decades, priests had sexually assaulted minors while church leaders covered up their crimes.

 

Similar reports have emerged in Europe, Australia and Chile, prompting lawsuits and investigations, sending dioceses into bankruptcy and undercutting the moral authority of the leadership of the Catholic Church, which has some 1.2 billion members around the world.

 

(Editing by David Gregorio, Toni Reinhold)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-08-17

 

[Samui Bodoh]

If this were any other organization on the planet, it would have been forcibly disbanded a long time ago for extreme, wide-spread, long-term, repeated pedophilia that was illegally hidden and covered up by its leadership.

 

Why is this organization allowed to continue to exist?

 

 

Edited August 16, 2018 by Samui Bodoh
disgust

[rodney earl]

He openly admits it has been going on for 7 decades and very probably a lot longer and I fail to see why this organisation still exists. A lot of it has got to do with the amount of money and control this paedophile organisation has.

A long time ago priests were allowed to marry but then the people in power realised that when they died, their money went to their family so we cant have that and that is why they are now allowed to marry anymore so any and all money they get and have is given to the church. Such a corrupt organisation. If there was NO religion the world would be a far better place.!!!

[Esso49]

Another bunch of religious hypocrites.  Catholic Priests , and many from other so-called religions for that matter ,  have been abusing children for centuries. Strange how so many people of this world are gullible enough to believe in unsubstantiated gobble-de-gook,  put themselves on a perceived higher moral plane that those who do not believe,  yet tolerate abuse to the most innocent on this planet,  the children, and only cry shame when it is exposed by the media.  

[kannot]

Theyre  all at it..............not  just Catholics

[rodney earl]

That is why I said that the world would be a far better place without any religion. ALL religions are about 3 things and 3 things only MONEY, POWER AND CONTROL.!!

[animalmagic]

Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report.

It is now August 2018 and the abuse has been going on, reported, covered up and denied for decades.  How many lives have been destroyed by the actions of these predatory criminals who abuse the trust placed in them by simple people?  They claim to be disciples and spokesmen for God and Christ, perhaps now is the time for the omniscient and omnipotent 'God' to strike them down?  To this organisation it appears to be all about numbers, influence and profit; they make the robber barons of the dark ages seem positively saintly.

[DM07]

I am sure, we will read a lot of calls, for total condemnation of this despicable crime, by each and every white Christian, catholic leader...right!? 

[animalmagic]

A BBC documentary has exposed that Pope Benedict XVI, aka Cardinal Ratzinger, played a leading role in a systematic cover-up of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests.

More interesting, juicy (and verified) quotes:

In 2001, while he was a cardinal, he issued a secret Vatican edict to Catholic bishops all over the world, instructing them to put the Church's interests ahead of child safety.

The document recommended that rather than reporting sexual abuse to the relevant legal authorities, bishops should encourage the victim, witnesses and perpetrator not to talk about it. And, to keep victims quiet, it threatened that if they repeat the allegations they would be excommunicated.

More interesting still: the document says that, if you've been raped by a priest and you tell the authorities, you will be excommunicated.

[klauskunkel]

... and that's just Pennsylvania...

now, what's the name of the other criminal organization that has it's roots and traditions in Italy?

[JAG]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

If this were any other organization on the planet, it would have been forcibly disbanded a long time ago for extreme, wide-spread, long-term, repeated pedophilia that was illegally hidden and covered up by its leadership.

 

Why is this organization allowed to continue to exist?

 

 

I will start by stating that I am a practising Roman Catholic. (heaven knows I have to practice, I am not very good at it). 

 

These abuses are foul, and the cover ups also. They should and must be exposed and punished as the crimes that they are. They will, I  am certain also be punished when their perpetrators stand in judgement before Almighty God. That does not excuse them judgement or punishment on earth. Remember that Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Pope's are human. They are capable of doing great wrongs, and if they do, then they should be accountable. They are also capable of sin, and if they sin must be accountable for that before God. 

 

These are wicked men, they have been exposed as wicked before society, there wickedness is undoubtedly open to Almighty God. Of course as a Catholic one is also aware of Satan and all his works. How many times in the performance of their priestly duties have these men pronounced that " they renounce Satan and all his works", yet they have done what they have done. This is NOT an excuse. It is an observation which underlines the evil which they have done. 

 

This business has certainly shaken my faith, and shaken and destroyed that of many others. That too is a great tragedy. 

 

Disbanding the Roman Catholic Church would simply not be possible. Apart from any spiritual considerations (1.2 billion or so) the same sanctions should be applied to many other religions and movements which have also had paedophiles and their protectors amongst their ranks.If you are a Roman Catholic, then you believe that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of. 

 

And please (not you SB)  let's not hear that "priests cannot marry because if they do their money will go to their families and not the Church", and " Confession will wash it away - three Hail Marys and off you go..." That merely displays a profound misunderstanding of the Church and it's Sacraments! 

Edited August 17, 2018 by JAG

[malt25]

56 minutes ago, rodney earl said:

That is why I said that the world would be a far better place without any religion. ALL religions are about 3 things and 3 things only MONEY, POWER AND CONTROL.!!

Good men do good deeds. Evil men do evil deeds. For a good man to do evil deeds... that takes religion !

[johnnybangkok]

12 minutes ago, JAG said:

I will start by stating that I am a practising Roman Catholic. (heaven knows I have to practice, I am not very good at it). 

 

These abuses are foul, and the cover ups also. They should and must be exposed and punished as the crimes that they are. They will, I  am certain also be punished when their perpetrators stand in judgement before Almighty God. That does not excuse them judgement or punishment on earth. Remember that Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Pope's are human. They are capable of doing great wrongs, and if they do, then they should be accountable. They are also capable of sin, and if they sin must be accountable for that before God. 

 

These are wicked men, they have been exposed as wicked before society, there wickedness is undoubtedly open to Almighty God. Of course as a Catholic one is also aware of Satan and all his works. How many times in the performance of their priestly duties have these men pronounced that " they renounce Satan and all his works", yet they have done what they have done. This is NOT an excuse. It is an observation which underlines the evil which they have done. 

 

This business has certainly shaken my faith, and shaken and destroyed that of many others. That too is a great tragedy. 

 

Disbanding the Roman Catholic Church would simply not be possible. Apart from any spiritual considerations (1.2 billion or so) the same sanctions should be applied to many other religions and movements which have also had paedophiles and their protectors amongst their ranks.If you are a Roman Catholic, then you believe that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of. 

 

And please (not you SB)  let's not hear that "priests cannot marry because if they do their money will go to their families and not the Church", and " Confession will wash it away - three Hail Marys and off you go..." That merely displays a profound misunderstanding of the Church and it's Sacraments! 

Devout atheist here.

Don't you think this basically proves your god doesn't exist? I mean this is his 'chosen' ambassadors on earth yet they have been allowed to systematically abuse kids for decades (and probably even longer), covered up at the highest level. You conveniently put the blame at Satan's door when surely it's not his job to look after the competitions staff.

I don't want to give you too much of a hard time as you seem like a genuine guy and my mum was catholic and a better woman you couldn't wish to meet but perhaps you should consider joining the 'many others' whose faith has been destroyed as I (and most people) would rank this as unforgivable. 

[animalmagic]

Quoted from JAG

'If you are a Roman Catholic, then you believe that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of.' 

 

I am happy for everyone in the world to follow their chosen belief system but I am open to persuasion how, according to your claim above, the Church is Almighty God's creation but its leaders carry out such abhorrent crimes.  If the Church is flawed to the extent that is now becoming very clear, then why did an Almighty God create it in the first place.  By extension the claim leads to Almighty God creating something for sick and twisted individuals to pervert and use for their own personal gains and criminal sexual gratification.

I think your quote should read, 'If you are a Roman Catholic, then you are told that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of.'  Perhaps man should man up and do something about it if not dispose of it?

[Samui Bodoh]

29 minutes ago, JAG said:

I will start by stating that I am a practising Roman Catholic. (heaven knows I have to practice, I am not very good at it). 

 

These abuses are foul, and the cover ups also. They should and must be exposed and punished as the crimes that they are. They will, I  am certain also be punished when their perpetrators stand in judgement before Almighty God. That does not excuse them judgement or punishment on earth. Remember that Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Pope's are human. They are capable of doing great wrongs, and if they do, then they should be accountable. They are also capable of sin, and if they sin must be accountable for that before God. 

 

These are wicked men, they have been exposed as wicked before society, there wickedness is undoubtedly open to Almighty God. Of course as a Catholic one is also aware of Satan and all his works. How many times in the performance of their priestly duties have these men pronounced that " they renounce Satan and all his works", yet they have done what they have done. This is NOT an excuse. It is an observation which underlines the evil which they have done. 

 

This business has certainly shaken my faith, and shaken and destroyed that of many others. That too is a great tragedy. 

 

Disbanding the Roman Catholic Church would simply not be possible. Apart from any spiritual considerations (1.2 billion or so) the same sanctions should be applied to many other religions and movements which have also had paedophiles and their protectors amongst their ranks.If you are a Roman Catholic, then you believe that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of. 

 

And please (not you SB)  let's not hear that "priests cannot marry because if they do their money will go to their families and not the Church", and " Confession will wash it away - three Hail Marys and off you go..." That merely displays a profound misunderstanding of the Church and it's Sacraments! 

Hi JAG, 

 

First, let me say that I feel tremendous sympathy for you and your fellow, decent, Catholics; while I do not have a problem wailing against the institution of the church, I think it is important to remember that not all Catholics are evil people. Further, while I am not religious, I think it is important for all to remember that freedom of religion (and yes, freedom from religion) is a cornerstone principle of many/most Western societies and a good thing. Finally, I have to admit, despite my non-religiosity, that I have frequently seen the comfort derived from people who believe; many years back I had a house-keeper in Indonesia whose Muslim faith gave her the strength to carry on raising her four young kids after her husband died. I would have fallen apart in her shoes; she ploughed on ahead, left my house for a second, evening, job every day and when I asked her how she did it, she simply said "God wants me to do this". You can argue whether that is a good thing or not, but it gave her the strength to carry on for her (truly wonderful) kids.

 

However, despite the above, I sincerely question whether the Catholic Church should continue to exist. Yes, every religion has their aberrant people and yes, every religion has its... weak spots (for want of a better phrase). That said, the Catholic Church is in a league of its own regarding sex scandals and pedophilia. Leaving aside the horrors of the story above, there are also many, many, many other stories from all over the world and the numbers are mind-blowing (I am Canadian, Google 'Mount Cashel Orphanage' for information regarding several hundred more abused kids and yet another cover-up). Further, I have been reading about abuse stories in different countries for many years/decades, and I would be shocked if the above was the last. Finally, I have heard the Catholic Church say, over and over and over again, that it is dealing with the problem. It is not. It has not.

 

Sorry, unless the Catholic Church can convince me and the rest of the world that it is serious about cleaning itself up, can deal effectively with all of its past horrors, and is able to progress cleanly into the future, then I would say "burn it down!"

 

 

[Nigel Garvie]

21 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

Quoted from JAG

'If you are a Roman Catholic, then you believe that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of.' 

 

I am happy for everyone in the world to follow their chosen belief system but I am open to persuasion how, according to your claim above, the Church is Almighty God's creation but its leaders carry out such abhorrent crimes.  If the Church is flawed to the extent that is now becoming very clear, then why did an Almighty God create it in the first place.  By extension the claim leads to Almighty God creating something for sick and twisted individuals to pervert and use for their own personal gains and criminal sexual gratification.

I think your quote should read, 'If you are a Roman Catholic, then you are told that the Church is Almighty God's creation, and not for man to dispose of.'  Perhaps man should man up and do something about it if not dispose of it?

As a devout Atheist also (A couple of youtube video from the immortal Hitch on Sundays if my "Faith" is wavering!) I doubt that we can "Dispose of" this or most other religions. The world appears to be made up of leaders, followers, and people like me, who refuse to be either, and reject that dichotomy. The problem is that it appears that the overwhelming number of people are followers who will buy what they are sold, with barely a superficial understanding of the merits. This applies to the sky fairy, snake oil, and IMHO Trump and Brexit, but those two are another topic. The only answer I see is for better education, and more scepticism, however there will always be those who are gullible, and those who will exploit them, and the promise of life after death is the ultimate sellable item. No one has come back to confirm or deny that it exists!

[micmichd]

1 hour ago, hyku1147 said:

The Catholic Church once tortured people in to making false confessions of heresy. The heretics were then burnt alive.

Yet - they evolved.

 

They live in all male housing - where men dress up in brightly colored costumes whilst being surrounded by subservient Alter Boys (some of whom were once castrated). If the pedophiles were confronted by parents - they would bombard them with Catholic guilt whilst calling the child's tales the work of Satan that would prolong the child's stay in Purgatory.

 

The good elements of the Catholic Church should expel, and excommunicate the filthy perverts. Then, and only then, will there be a chance that their credibility may be restored.

 Once? 

Inquisition is still alive, and it's not only Catholic priests that perform inquistion. Doctors in mental hospitals do the same.  And they establish sexual taboos to control individuals. 

Of course, a celibate is anti-biological. Those who preach it should be castrated - just to get their hormones under control. Would be easier then to dedicate their miserable lives to their fair-tale "creator"

[ballpoint]

How often do we see the argument: "Sure, only some Muslims are terrorists, but the failure of the masses to condemn these attrocities puts them all in the same basket"?  I would level that same accusation at Catholics, and any other organisation that does, and covers up the doing of, harm to the innocent.  Sure, only some Catholic priests are pedophiles, but the secret has been out for a long time now and, while the hierachy make soothing noises and express "shame and sorrow" at seeing some being caught red handed (though whether the shame and sorrow is directed towards their actions, or the fact that they were foolish enough to be caught, is open to interpretation), the rank and file members continue to trudge along to church, accepting the moral authority of the hierachy, and doing nothing at all of any real importance to put an end to this while punishing those who were complicit in the past.  Where are the catholic congregations protesting when yet another priest / cardinal / bishop is given a slap on the wrist and/or home detention?  1.2 billion Catholics in the world and only a few publically speak up or agitate for real change.  Shame on the rest of them.

 

Going one step further; even when putting aside the physical abuse of children, the abuse of their minds by indoctrination from an early age, when they are unable to form and analyse opinions for themselves, is still a charge that may be levelled at all religions, though granted, some more than others.  Religion works by either altering ones mind, to the point that one really believes what they are saying, or, if you don't achieve that "higher" state, by making you unwilling to speak out due to fear of the consequences - if not in your current life then in whatever afterlife is offered by the religion / denomination you happened to be born into.  Planting these seeds into a young, impressionable, mind is key to a lot of the power that religion holds.  As such, it should be treated exactly like any legalised drug, with appropriate rules on age applied. Giving a mind altering drug to a child is illegal - no matter how legal it may be for an adult to take it.  The organised brain washing and indoctrination of that child, when s/he has no defences or logical prowess to analyse the informtion given, and decide for him/herself whether to accept or refuse it, should be treated with the same condemnation.

[johnnybangkok]

16 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

How often do we see the argument: "Sure, only some Muslims are terrorists, but the failure of the masses to condemn these attrocities puts them all in the same basket"?  I would level that same accusation at Catholics, and any other organisation that does, and covers up the doing of, harm to the innocent.  Sure, only some Catholic priests are pedophiles, but the secret has been out for a long time now and, while the hierachy make soothing noises and express "shame and sorrow" at seeing some being caught red handed (though whether the shame and sorrow is directed towards their actions, or the fact that they were foolish enough to be caught, is open to interpretation), the rank and file members continue to trudge along to church, accepting the moral authority of the hierachy, and doing nothing at all of any real importance to put an end to this while punishing those who were complicit in the past.  Where are the catholic congregations protesting when yet another priest / cardinal / bishop is given a slap on the wrist and/or home detention?  1.2 billion Catholics in the world and only a few publically speak up or agitate for real change.  Shame on the rest of them.

 

Going one step further; even when putting aside the physical abuse of children, the abuse of their minds by indoctrination from an early age, when they are unable to form and analyse opinions for themselves, is still a charge that may be levelled at all religions, though granted, some more than others.  Religion works by either altering ones mind, to the point that one really believes what they are saying, or, if you don't achieve that "higher" state, by making you unwilling to speak out due to fear of the consequences - if not in your current life then in whatever afterlife is offered by the religion / denomination you happened to be born into.  Planting these seeds into a young, impressionable, mind is key to a lot of the power that religion holds.  As such, it should be treated exactly like any legalised drug, with appropriate rules on age applied. Giving a mind altering drug to a child is illegal - no matter how legal it may be for an adult to take it.  The organised brain washing and indoctrination of that child, when s/he has no defences or logical prowess to analyse the informtion given, and decide for him/herself whether to accept or refuse it, should be treated with the same condemnation.

They are all cults pure and simple but unlike most definitions of a cult, these ones are government backed.

[micmichd]

3 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

... and that's just Pennsylvania...

now, what's the name of the other criminal organization that has it's roots and traditions in Italy?

The Holy Roman Empire of German nations?

[puck2]

43 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

<------>

Going one step further; even when putting aside the physical abuse of children, the abuse of their minds by indoctrination from an early age, when they are unable to form and analyse opinions for themselves, is still a charge that may be levelled at all religions, though granted, some more than others.  Religion works by either altering ones mind, to the point that one really believes what they are saying, or, if you don't achieve that "higher" state, by making you unwilling to speak out due to fear of the consequences - if not in your current life then in whatever afterlife is offered by the religion / denomination you happened to be born into.  Planting these seeds into a young, impressionable, mind is key to a lot of the power that religion holds.  As such, it should be treated exactly like any legalised drug, with appropriate rules on age applied. Giving a mind altering drug to a child is illegal - no matter how legal it may be for an adult to take it.  The organised brain washing and indoctrination of that child, when s/he has no defences or logical prowess to analyse the informtion given, and decide for him/herself whether to accept or refuse it, should be treated with the same condemnation.

excellent!

In a few words:

religion is the polar opposite to knowledge. It's a power to manipulate people (to believe). History is full of examples. And the present age, too.

 

[Wake Up]

6 hours ago, rodney earl said:

That is why I said that the world would be a far better place without any religion. ALL religions are about 3 things and 3 things only MONEY, POWER AND CONTROL.!!

Your opinion and I disagree except to say money, power and control are human traits and humans lead the religions. So to get rid of money, power and control you would have to eliminate humans not just religions. Many many good people in the world and religion has its place in this world. 

 

But the philosophers and history have taught us for over 5000 years what humans are capable of and the character of humans.  Not limited to religions. 

[oldrunner]

As a teen Catholic, got tossed from a Friday night dance for sparring with another teen over his looking at "my" gal. As we sat on the steps outside the dance location, he told me that their Parish priest was doing the naughty with the boys. I was shocked and immediately said "Man, don't say such things about a Catholic Priest." He replied "No lie man, ask any of the guys from my Church". As an altar boy as well as a Choir boy I still didn't believe him. It was many years later when I left the "guidance" of the Catholic church that I started seeing investigations being squelched by Bishops and the Pope. A close friend of my wife and I, a Catholic priest, and Italian at that, left the church and married a nun. We were happy for him and his, late in life, wife. Rome should stop this celibate bullshuger and allow Priests, Male or Female, to marry, Although I think I'd be very reluctant to "confess" to Mrs Priest.

Edited August 17, 2018 by oldrunner
punctuation

[hhinhh]

Not only the inhuman "priests" are guilty. It is everyone who is still member in this criminal organization and backs it up with donations and other benefits.

[connda]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report

This has been going on for decades.  How about doing something about it? 

[attrayant]

27 minutes ago, connda said:

This has been going on for decades.  How about doing something about it? 

 

Hmm, maybe we could force priests to take a vow of chastity and make homosexuality a sin. 

[micmichd]

5 hours ago, Wake Up said:

Your opinion and I disagree except to say money, power and control are human traits and humans lead the religions. So to get rid of money, power and control you would have to eliminate humans not just religions. Many many good people in the world and religion has its place in this world. 

 

But the philosophers and history have taught us for over 5000 years what humans are capable of and the character of humans.  Not limited to religions. 

Serious argument.

In the age of enlightment science became an authority. Stanley Milgram's experiments ("Obedience to authority") demonstrated pretty well how far people would go in the name of science. 

 

 

[Guest]

15 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

If this were any other organization on the planet, it would have been forcibly disbanded a long time ago for extreme, wide-spread, long-term, repeated pedophilia that was illegally hidden and covered up by its leadership.

 

Why is this organization allowed to continue to exist?

 

 

Indeed, regardless of the religions these organizations represent. 

 

Why does our societies allow very strong storytelling, which puts our kids fragile minds at risk, to happen during their younger ages?

 

If we would put 18 years as a limit, for kids, to be allowed to see any religious manipulation, we would save them in few generations. 

 

There are very few people, after reaching the age of 18, who would be interested of the silly stories. Those people, who'd still do, would be treated as the people who believe UFO sightings and the Flat Earth. 

 

Let's stop this nonsense. 

[Credo]

7 hours ago, oilinki said:

Indeed, regardless of the religions these organizations represent. 

 

Why does our societies allow very strong storytelling, which puts our kids fragile minds at risk, to happen during their younger ages?

 

If we would put 18 years as a limit, for kids, to be allowed to see any religious manipulation, we would save them in few generations. 

 

There are very few people, after reaching the age of 18, who would be interested of the silly stories. Those people, who'd still do, would be treated as the people who believe UFO sightings and the Flat Earth. 

 

Let's stop this nonsense. 

I don't think there is a direct relationship between child sex abuse and religion.   Religion is simply the cover for many people who engage in these illicit activities.   

 

As to why the storytelling is allowed, it's pretty much a part of every civilization.   We have to have rules in order to interact on safe and known ground.   We have common beliefs.   Those beliefs are what establishes the laws we live by and we can't really question those laws because they are based on our belief in a Supreme power.   

 

If we stop indoctrinating our children, they won't believe and without belief, they won't follow the rules.

 

But, all that said, I don't know that we would have less pedophilia if religion disappeared.   

 

[animalmagic]

Civilisation evolves and takes the time to record known, proven truths; years ago this was not the case and the storytelling/fables/religion was used to pass on messages on morals and rules to live by.  Laws are based on a consensus by mankind who decide what are the rules within which a civilised society should operate; those rules are always open, in a free society, to question as we learn more about ourselves and the world around us.  Indoctrination of children is not necessary as education is the key, as long as they are able to learn and understand the logic behind the rules they are capable of eventually making their own decision on whether to abide by them and face the consequences laid down by civilisation if they don't.

A belief in a supreme power is something claimed by the various representatives of religions, they not only question the rules but completely ignore them and then disobey them.  If they can ignore the laws given by their supreme power to the extent that they have been shown to do, then why can't everybody else?

The capacity for good and evil is inside every person, whether they choose one or the other is based on personal choice and circumstances.  That choice is better influenced by knowledge than belief.