Quote:
Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Jun 17 2003, 12:50 PM
I am most definitely not a Roman Catholic, nor am I a fan of the institution or many of their doctrines. Haven't followed much about this situation because it seems like everybody and their mother has an ax to grind when they get in front of a camera to talk about it. I pay LITTLE attention to those members of the church who comment on the matter; I pay NO attention when non-Catholics comment on the issue, because you can really see personal prejudices and biases come out to play.
I can see the inherent problems in the whole question for the Church, however. The Church, unlike most of society today, believes in forgiveness, redemption and rehabilitation. IMHO they have a complicated dilemma - at what point does "rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God" become a criminal cover-up? An abdication of the Church's responsibility to minister to the offender and the offended, who are, according to doctrine, equal in the eyes of God?
Any hysterically-inclined who have gotten this far please note - nothing I said should be taken as a defense of child-molesting priests. Nothing I've said should be taken as a defense of covering up that horrid activity.
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Don't get me wrong, I don't just have an axe to grind with the Catholics because of their belief in some ghost in the sky...I've studied most religions. I actually contemplated becoming a theology major in college. The Catholic church has a history of crooked dealings, strongarm tactics and corruption. It was always hushed or glossed over because no one would dare question such a powerful entity. Believe me, the Catholic Church doesn't have a monopoly on corruption.
I personally have nothing against Catholic people, but I do have a lot of problems with their cult. I can overlook their policy of sin however much you want (but don't get an abortion or a divorce) and then come Sunday "forgive me for I have sinned" While the idea of a free pass for sinning sounds tempting, I just prefer to live my life without harming other people, by respecting other peoples' opinions and being a "righteous dude". It's like people who've never attended a church service nor cracked a bible in their life sayin "I'll pray for you" or "God bless you"