In light of the never-ending and escalating sex scandals plaguing the Roman Catholic Church, I would like to highlight a post a did last year, on October 24, entitled Controlling Sexual Desire. In the comment box of that post, I predicted that the Catholic views on sexuality would lead to an INCREASE, not a decrease in sexual perversity. Here is what I wrote in that comment box on November 1, 2009 to a Catholic commentator on my blog.
"Here is the consequence of your Catholic model. People would become so sexually repressed that they would start acting out in perverse ways. It would lead to an increase in sexual perversity and not a decrease, as people try to find an outlet for their sexual desires. I could give examples of men or women incarcerated in prisons....."( November 1, 2009: Controlling Sexual Desires, October 24, 2009)
How remarkable that I was able to predict an increase in sexual perversion several months before the scandals broke. I pray that people who are following Catholic sexuality will take a hard and serious look at those teachings, and see whether such teachings are in accordance with scripture or not. I am not against Catholics but what I am against is how they try to push their version of sexuality on the masses, without respecting the fact that there are those of us who hold to a more Biblical view of sexuality, which differs from the Catholic view.
ADDENDUM: An interesting conversation is going on here on this blog with me and some Catholic women about the sexual abuse scandal. For part I see here.
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13 comments:
You do realize that these are not new cases, don't you?
I'm not sure you've really done a lot of reading on pedophilia. Most pedophiles are married. Sexual predators are found in the same numbers in other denominations as in the Catholic church. Finally, they are found in a higher number in school teachers.
You're looking to find the conclusion you want, but you aren't looking very far.
Hi Kelly!
Do you realize what you are doing? Even if it is true that "sexual predators are found in the same numbers in other denominations as in the Catholic church" I do not hear any of those other churches defending it. Why are you so quick to defend the actions of people who are obviously in the wrong? Where is your sense of justice? Does not the Bible teach that we should confess our sins and forsake them? Why is it so hard for the church and church members to acknowledge the guilt of the priests and repudiate them?
BTW, I don't need to do a study on pedophilia for me to know that it is wrong. Doing a study justifies nothing.
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
Your Facebook post said "Catholic ladies," plural, but I saw so far only one. So here's mine to make it plural.
Why are you so quick to defend the actions of people who are obviously in the wrong? Where is your sense of justice? ... Why is it so hard for the church and church members to acknowledge the guilt of the priests and repudiate them?
We defend the church because of what we believe about the church. It's no different than how a Protestant might defend the Bible against attack.
As for justice, I have wanted Cardinal Law to stand trial from the beginning. Any promises of reform Benedict makes will ring hollow with me until the spectacle of Law is treated.
I read your understanding of "the Catholic views on sexuality" in the comments of the other post and you do overlook the practice of natural family planning which handles your objection.
But anyway, the Bible says that sexual perversion comes from neither glorifying God as God nor giving thanks to him but instead turning to idolatry. (Rom. 1:21, 23)
Sexual perversion does not come from one's particular views on sexuality. How can the consequence also be the cause?
Teresa,
I love you as a dear sister, but attacks against the Bible are not to be compared with attacks on your church. What sinful act has the Bible done? What sinful acts has God done? What sinful acts has Jesus done? To compare oneself to others who are legitimately persecuted for righteousness sake, is quite different from being persecuted for wrongdoing.
"I read your understanding of "the Catholic views on sexuality" in the comments of the other post and you do overlook the practice of natural family planning which handles your objection."
I have already dealt with that matter already and I do not want to bring it up here. Suffice it to say that telling people when and at what time of the month to have or not have sex, I find repressive as well.
"But anyway, the Bible says that sexual perversion comes from neither glorifying God as God nor giving thanks to him but instead turning to idolatry. (Rom. 1:21, 23)
Sexual perversion does not come from one's particular views on sexuality. How can the consequence also be the cause?"
Sexual perversion comes from not following God's law or His instructions. Each time we stray away from the commands of God and institute our own version of righteousness, especially in sexual matters, we run the risk of committing sexual sins. Here is the whole text, starting from Romans 1:18 and ending in verse 32.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS;
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.,
Peace.
"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God" (1 Peter 2:20).
attacks against the Bible are not to be compared with attacks on your church.
Simply, we feel about the church (and the Bible, for that matter) as you feel about the Bible alone. Is that clear? Can you understand, even if you reject, the Catholic sentiment: i.e., why we are so quick to defend the church?
Teresa,
You know, I cringe inwardly whenever I read some of the accusations being leveled out there. Some people can get really nasty! It does not however excuse bad behavior, but we must learn how to have civil discussions, without resorting to name-calling and insults.
The scandal is a serious issue which keeps getting more and more negative press, as more things come out in the open. I feel bad for Catholics now, but I made a post about this to see whether anyone was big enough to step up and admit the wrongness of it all, instead of trying to make excuses. All I got was excuses.
As I said before, no church is perfect, but if we cannot discuss what is wrong, how are we going to make it right?
Peace.
I feel bad for Catholics now, but I made a post about this to see whether anyone was big enough to step up and admit the wrongness of it all, instead of trying to make excuses. All I got was excuses.
It seemed more like you were bragging about being right about your "prophesy" to me. I'm not making excuses, I'm saying you're wrong, both about the causes, and the numbers, which are declining, not increasing.
I admitted the wrongness of the actions several times on the other thread. I haven't seen you step up to admit your wrongness yet.
All I got was excuses.
OK. Excuses attempt to foster empathy in others.
The fact that critics can't or won't empathize is troubling.
Hillary, in your first comment to me on this thread, you expressed a warm sentiment that means alot to me. However, I've neglected to acknowledge it until now. My apologies and thank you.
BTW, I just read this, seems to be what we all are after! -:
priests must make it clear that they are on the side of truth and the victims of abuse, said an article in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.
he and his fellow seminarians were "following with indignation and concern this sad affair" of revelations of the sexual abuse of minors by priests.
"We friends at the seminary have often asked ourselves how all of this could have happened, how is it that the same person could first celebrate the sacred mysteries and then carry out such a serious crime, taking advantage of children who, by nature, need to be defended, safeguarded, welcomed and protected?
Russo said a defensive attitude against critics does not help the church.
Peace.
Teresa,
And I apologize for being so harsh and judgmental :-). Apologies to Kelly as well!
I am glad that serious recognition is now being given to this problem instead of just re-assigning blame. Great article!
Peace,
Hillary
You do realise that it is not a "prophecy" to say what YOU think..right?
A prophecy is God TELLING you something.
And if that is what you are claiming Lady, you have to be 100% right or it isn't God giving them to you. You might want to read up on that in the Bible.
Ace
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