Difference between revisions of "The Clergy are not Moral Exemplars"

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[[File:Augustine.png|center]]
 
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Clergy serve in the holy office of the ministry, and are expected to serve as spiritual and moral exemplars for the community whose development they oversee. Yet, too often, these guides and teachers are responsible for the most heinous of crimes, often committed against their own parishioners, enabled by exploiting the special trust and confidence which their communities had placed in them.
  
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Churches protect their priests, even when faced with their absurdly evil crimes perpetrated against their own parishioners (i.e., sex abuse), simply because it is wildly expensive to put someone through seminary, an institution which few people chose to enter. ''It’s cheaper and easier to replace parishioners than it is to replace priests.''<ref name="Ray"> D. W. Ray, ''The God Virus:  How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture'' (IPC Press, 2009).</ref> What little oversight exists in churches is thus exerted on blaming the victims and protecting the villains, like the mad kings who killed messengers bearing bad news.<ref name="CultsMidst">M. T. Singer and J. Lalich, ''Cults in Our Midst:  The Hidden Menace in our Everyday Lives'' (Jossey-Bass, 1995).</ref> This practice continued for centuries; in many European nations, the clergy was above secular law, and the church was permitted to internally handle any priest-related incidents. Even in the United States, it was all but unthinkable for the clergy to be tried in secular courts until [http://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/47/278.html 1979].<ref name="ClergyKillers">G. L. Rediger, ''Clergy Killers:  Guidance for Pastors and Congregations and Under Attack'' (Westminster John Knox Press, 1997).</ref>
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This list will be updated as more information becomes available. Please note that this is just the material we have accrued and ''not a complete list''. [http://clergygonewild.com/home Clergy Gone Wild] can provide a more through list.
 
  
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==Homicide==
+
{{Quotebox|
−
*[http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2009/07/jury_hears_father_recount_fait.html Parents in faith-healing case never considered calling a doctor]
+
|width=33%
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*[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32252045/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.WXnE2mLyvFg Wis. jury: Father guilty in prayer death case]
+
|align=right
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*[http://gossiponthis.com/2015/10/23/pastor-arrested-shooting-killing-man-affair-wife/ Pastor Arrested for Shooting & Killing Man During Church Service Over Alleged Affair with His Wife]
+
|quote= A real Christian can’t work in a Christian organization.
−
*[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20160428/NEWS/160428849 Former pastor pleads in murder case involving missing woman]
+
|source= Rod Sherrill, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Popoff Peter Popoff]’s cameraman<ref name="Randi"> J. Randi, ''The Faith Healers'' (Prometheus Books, 1987).</ref>}}
−
*[http://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/baptist-pastor-sentenced-to-50-years-for-hiring-mistress-and-her-husband-to-set-his-wife-on-fire/ Baptist pastor sentenced to 50 years for hiring mistress and her husband to set his wife on fire]
+
 
−
*[http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/09/05/religious-argument-may-have-preceded-fatal-shooting-of-pastor-80/ Religious Argument May Have Preceded Fatal Shooting Of Pastor, 80]
+
Jesus' main focus was not to prohibit stealing, sexual sins, or even violence -- but against hypocrisy (i.e., identification with a false persona which prevents one from being genuine or real). While this was intended as an indirect attack at the Pharisees, Christ issued this as a general blanket statement that made many enemies, who in turn, crucified him.<ref name="Ministry Burnout">J. A. Sanford, ''Ministry Burnout'' (Westminster John Knox Press, 1992).</ref> As such, those who claim that holiness leads to goodness must answer for '''''all''''' of the crimes listed below. '''Please note that this is just ''some'' of the material we have accrued, and ''this is not a complete list.''''' A more through, independent listing is available at [http://clergygonewild.com/home Clergy Gone Wild]. Daily updates are available at the [https://www.reddit.com/r/PastorArrested/ PastorArrested subreddit].
−
*[http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/celebrated-brooklyn-pastor-arrested-role-deadly-2014-fire-article-1.2727977 Brooklyn pastor, once honored by N.Y. State Senate, arrested for role in deadly 2014 fire]
 
−
*[http://abc22now.com/news/local/man-wanted-for-murdering-2-year-old-foster-child Pastor charged with murdering 2-year-old foster child]
 
−
*[http://www.lex18.com/story/32863246/pastor-asks-for-venue-change-in-murder-trial Pastor Asks For Venue Change In Murder Trial]
 
−
*[http://www.uticaod.com/news/20161219/pastor-brother-sentenced-in-word-of-life-case Pastor, brother sentenced in Word of Life case]
 
−
*[http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/11/trial_pushed_back_for_former_h.html Trial pushed back for former Homewood pastor charged in wife's stabbing death]
 
−
*[https://www.news4jax.com/news/fbi-executing-search-warrant-at-jax-beach-home Counselor, former youth pastor accused of killing teen in 1994]
 
−
*[http://www.wistv.com/story/35561328/church-members-shocked-by-associate-pastors-arrest-in-connection-to-fatal-shooting Associate pastor charged in fatal park shooting bonds out of jail]
 
−
*[http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/us/maryland-priest-exhumed-nun-murder/index.html DNA from exhumed body of priest could solve cold-case murder of nun]
 
−
*[http://wdtn.com/2017/04/20/closing-arguments-begin-in-murder-trial-of-dayton-pastor/ Former Dayton pastor found guilty of murder charges]
 
  
 +
==Fascism==
 +
*[http://www.eutimes.net/2009/05/italian-catholic-priest-welcomes-believers-with-swastika-on-his-right-arm/ Italian Catholic Priest Welcomes Believers with Swastika on His Right Arm]
 +
*[http://www.politicususa.com/2013/08/04/evangelical-corporations-force-employees-follow-religious-beliefs.html Evangelical Corporations Try To Force Their Employees To Follow Their Religious Beliefs]
 +
*[https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/australia-post-delivered-anti-gay-flyers-with-nazi-imagery?utm_term=.jmKJVNBm3#.qgP4YraKA Australia Post Unknowingly Handed Out Anti-Gay Flyers With Nazi Imagery]
 +
{{Quotebox|
 +
|width=33%
 +
|align=right
 +
|quote=See ten thousand ministries<br/>See the holy righteous dogs,<br/>They claim to heal, but all they do is steal,<br/>Abuse your faith, cheat, and rob,<br/>If God is wise, why is he still,<br/>When these false profits, call him friend,<br/>Why is he silent, is he blind!?<br/>|Are we abandoned in the end?
 +
|source= [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mot%C3%B6rhead Motörhead], "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6UfqI5ovQI God Was Never on Your Side]"
 +
|}}
 
==Fraud==
 
==Fraud==
 
*[https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/tracking-a-pastor-and-his-promise-of-jobs/ Tracking a Pastor and His Promise of Jobs]
 
*[https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/tracking-a-pastor-and-his-promise-of-jobs/ Tracking a Pastor and His Promise of Jobs]
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*[http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/06/richard_fritz.html Southwest Michigan priest to stand trial on embezzlement charge]
 
*[http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/06/richard_fritz.html Southwest Michigan priest to stand trial on embezzlement charge]
 
*[http://www.11alive.com/news/local/savannah-pastor-sentenced-for-using-thithes-to-buy-leather-goods-lingerie/450424654 Savannah pastor sentenced for using tithes to buy leather goods, lingerie]
 
*[http://www.11alive.com/news/local/savannah-pastor-sentenced-for-using-thithes-to-buy-leather-goods-lingerie/450424654 Savannah pastor sentenced for using tithes to buy leather goods, lingerie]
 +
==Homicide==
 +
*[http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2009/07/jury_hears_father_recount_fait.html Parents in faith-healing case never considered calling a doctor]
 +
*[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32252045/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.WXnE2mLyvFg Wis. jury: Father guilty in prayer death case]
 +
*[http://gossiponthis.com/2015/10/23/pastor-arrested-shooting-killing-man-affair-wife/ Pastor Arrested for Shooting & Killing Man During Church Service Over Alleged Affair with His Wife]
 +
*[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20160428/NEWS/160428849 Former pastor pleads in murder case involving missing woman]
 +
*[http://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/baptist-pastor-sentenced-to-50-years-for-hiring-mistress-and-her-husband-to-set-his-wife-on-fire/ Baptist pastor sentenced to 50 years for hiring mistress and her husband to set his wife on fire]
 +
*[http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/09/05/religious-argument-may-have-preceded-fatal-shooting-of-pastor-80/ Religious Argument May Have Preceded Fatal Shooting Of Pastor, 80]
 +
*[http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/celebrated-brooklyn-pastor-arrested-role-deadly-2014-fire-article-1.2727977 Brooklyn pastor, once honored by N.Y. State Senate, arrested for role in deadly 2014 fire]
 +
*[http://abc22now.com/news/local/man-wanted-for-murdering-2-year-old-foster-child Pastor charged with murdering 2-year-old foster child]
 +
*[http://www.lex18.com/story/32863246/pastor-asks-for-venue-change-in-murder-trial Pastor Asks For Venue Change In Murder Trial]
 +
*[http://www.uticaod.com/news/20161219/pastor-brother-sentenced-in-word-of-life-case Pastor, brother sentenced in Word of Life case]
 +
*[http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/11/trial_pushed_back_for_former_h.html Trial pushed back for former Homewood pastor charged in wife's stabbing death]
 +
*[https://www.news4jax.com/news/fbi-executing-search-warrant-at-jax-beach-home Counselor, former youth pastor accused of killing teen in 1994]
 +
*[http://www.wistv.com/story/35561328/church-members-shocked-by-associate-pastors-arrest-in-connection-to-fatal-shooting Associate pastor charged in fatal park shooting bonds out of jail]
 +
*[http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/us/maryland-priest-exhumed-nun-murder/index.html DNA from exhumed body of priest could solve cold-case murder of nun]
 +
*[http://wdtn.com/2017/04/20/closing-arguments-begin-in-murder-trial-of-dayton-pastor/ Former Dayton pastor found guilty of murder charges]
 +
==LBGTQ+ Discrimination==
 +
*[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/10/archbishop-tells-woman-to-reject-gay-son-or-suffer-eternal-damnation/?fb_comment_id=fbc_280138315431372_1258955_282277408550796#f24f84fdee6057e Archbishop tells woman to reject gay son or suffer eternal damnation]
 +
*[http://www.news24.com/World/News/Catholics-cannot-accept-gay-marriage-Pope-20110924 Catholics 'cannot accept gay marriage']
 +
*[http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article44173563.html Same-sex couple barred from Lexington Catholic prom]
 +
*[http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/10/04/pastor-orders-his-flock-to-beat-gay-couple-arriving-at-church/ Pastor Orders His Flock to Beat Gay Couple Arriving At Church]
 +
*[https://www.queerty.com/the-3-michigan-churches-who-are-quitting-the-homeless-because-another-church-dares-tolerate-lgbts-20091217?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29 The 3 Michigan Churches Who Are Quitting the Homeless Because Another Church Dares Tolerate LGBTs]
 +
*[http://www.salon.com/2017/05/13/united-methodist-church-lgbt-clergy/ War over gay clergy brings a whole religion to “the brink of schism”]
 +
*[http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/catholic_bishop_announces_politicians_who_voted_for_same_sex_marriage_should_not_receive_communion Catholic Bishop Decrees Lawmakers Who Voted for Same-Sex Marriage Should Not Receive Communion]
 +
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-glaring-double-standards-of-the-air-forces-most_us_5971fd5ae4b0f1feb89b42b4?m=false The Glaring Double Standards Of The Air Force’s Most Homophobic, ‘Bible-Believing’ Chaplain]
 +
*[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/07/salvation-army-busted-discriminating-transgender-people/ Salvation Army busted discriminating against transgender people (again)]
 +
*[http://kutv.com/news/local/byu-idaho-fires-an-adjunct-professor-after-lgbt-pride-month-post-on-facebook BYU-Idaho fires adjunct professor after LGBT Pride Month post on Facebook]
 +
*[http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20170601/prosecutor-minister-directed-beating-of-gay-congregant?rssfeed=true Prosecutor: Minister ‘directed’ beating of gay congregant]
  
 
==Physical Abuse==
 
==Physical Abuse==
Line 66: Line 95:
 
*[http://www.wistv.com/story/34972273/prominent-midlands-pastor-with-ties-to-law-enforcement-charged-with-cdv Bond set for prominent Midlands pastor charged with domestic violence]
 
*[http://www.wistv.com/story/34972273/prominent-midlands-pastor-with-ties-to-law-enforcement-charged-with-cdv Bond set for prominent Midlands pastor charged with domestic violence]
 
*[http://www.kctv5.com/story/34229659/kansas-city-pastor-74-accused-of-assaulting-church-member Kansas City pastor, 74, accused of assaulting church member]
 
*[http://www.kctv5.com/story/34229659/kansas-city-pastor-74-accused-of-assaulting-church-member Kansas City pastor, 74, accused of assaulting church member]
 +
==Sexual Abuse==
 +
{{Quotebox|
 +
|width=33%
 +
|align=right
 +
|quote= Research studies have estimated that up to 20% or more of the clergy have violated sexual boundaries with parishioners (a higher percentage than any other professional group).
 +
|source= Rev. Pamela Cooper White, Ph.D., from the Disciplinary Policy and Procedures Task Force of the Episcopal Church<ref name="Kick">R. Kick, ''Everything You Know About God Is Wrong:  The Disinformation Guide to Religion'' (Disinformation Books, 2007)</ref>
 +
|}}
  
−
==LBGTQ+ Discrimination==
+
*'''Details of the Catholic sex abuse scandal have been logged in ''extreme detail'' at [http://bishopaccountability.org bishopaccountability.org].'''
−
*[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/10/archbishop-tells-woman-to-reject-gay-son-or-suffer-eternal-damnation/?fb_comment_id=fbc_280138315431372_1258955_282277408550796#f24f84fdee6057e Archbishop tells woman to reject gay son or suffer eternal damnation]
+
*In September 2005, a Philadelphia grand jury concluded the longest probe of sexually abusive priests ever undertaken by a grand jury or district attorney at that time. Over the course of 3 years, the jurors documented over 60 abusive priests and hundreds of victimized minors, all hidden through a continuum of cover-ups by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Philadelphia Archdiocese of Philadelphia]. The resulting 423-page report, and its additional 309 pages of appendices, refused to shy away from detailed descriptions of the priest’s crimes and was seeped in the barely-contained disgust and anger of its authors after years of examining secret documents and interviewing victims, perpetrators, etc. Keep in mind, this report was not written by people who viewed organized religion with suspicion, but by a group of ordinary citizens plucked from the jury pool, including some Catholics. The entire report is available at [http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/pages/default.aspx the Philadelphia D.A.’s website]
−
*[http://www.news24.com/World/News/Catholics-cannot-accept-gay-marriage-Pope-20110924 Catholics 'cannot accept gay marriage']
+
 
−
*[http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article44173563.html Same-sex couple barred from Lexington Catholic prom]
+
*Confessionals were invented in the late 1500s to curb sexual immorality, since Confession gave priests a private venue for molesting parishioners. This became so problematic that priests had to be sealed in boxes and communicate through screens to prevent all physical contact. However, this was soon circumvented once priests began secretly installing removable screens and/or glory holes. Alternately, the confessional was a place for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUjsoMBHfY anonymous dirty talk and masturbation].<ref name="Harrison"> G. P. Harrison, ''50 Simple Questions for Every Christian'' (Prometheus Books, 2013).</ref>
−
*[http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/10/04/pastor-orders-his-flock-to-beat-gay-couple-arriving-at-church/ Pastor Orders His Flock to Beat Gay Couple Arriving At Church]
 
−
*[https://www.queerty.com/the-3-michigan-churches-who-are-quitting-the-homeless-because-another-church-dares-tolerate-lgbts-20091217?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29 The 3 Michigan Churches Who Are Quitting the Homeless Because Another Church Dares Tolerate LGBTs]
 
−
*[http://www.salon.com/2017/05/13/united-methodist-church-lgbt-clergy/ War over gay clergy brings a whole religion to “the brink of schism”]
 
−
*[http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/catholic_bishop_announces_politicians_who_voted_for_same_sex_marriage_should_not_receive_communion Catholic Bishop Decrees Lawmakers Who Voted for Same-Sex Marriage Should Not Receive Communion]
 
−
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-glaring-double-standards-of-the-air-forces-most_us_5971fd5ae4b0f1feb89b42b4?m=false The Glaring Double Standards Of The Air Force’s Most Homophobic, ‘Bible-Believing’ Chaplain]
 
−
*[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/07/salvation-army-busted-discriminating-transgender-people/ Salvation Army busted discriminating against transgender people (again)]
 
−
*[http://kutv.com/news/local/byu-idaho-fires-an-adjunct-professor-after-lgbt-pride-month-post-on-facebook BYU-Idaho fires adjunct professor after LGBT Pride Month post on Facebook]
 
−
*[http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20170601/prosecutor-minister-directed-beating-of-gay-congregant?rssfeed=true Prosecutor: Minister ‘directed’ beating of gay congregant]
 
  
−
==Sexual Abuse==
 
 
*[http://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/florida-pastor-busted-with-over-350000-pictures-and-videos-of-underage-girls-performing-s-acts-sheriff/ Pastor busted after church prank turns up over 350,000 images of minors performing sex acts: sheriff]
 
*[http://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/florida-pastor-busted-with-over-350000-pictures-and-videos-of-underage-girls-performing-s-acts-sheriff/ Pastor busted after church prank turns up over 350,000 images of minors performing sex acts: sheriff]
 
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263108/Abuse-hotline-set-Catholic-Church-Germany-melts-day-4-000-people-phone-in.html Abuse hotline set up by Catholic Church in Germany melts down on first day as 4,000 people phone in]
 
*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263108/Abuse-hotline-set-Catholic-Church-Germany-melts-day-4-000-people-phone-in.html Abuse hotline set up by Catholic Church in Germany melts down on first day as 4,000 people phone in]
Line 194: Line 221:
 
*[http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/06/partying_was_more_important_th.html 'Partying was more important than their child' Alabama parents arrested after taking baby to bar]
 
*[http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/06/partying_was_more_important_th.html 'Partying was more important than their child' Alabama parents arrested after taking baby to bar]
 
*[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11886097 Vatican rocked: Police raid drug-fuelled gay orgy at cardinal's apartment]
 
*[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11886097 Vatican rocked: Police raid drug-fuelled gay orgy at cardinal's apartment]
−
 
−
==Fascism==
 
−
*[http://www.eutimes.net/2009/05/italian-catholic-priest-welcomes-believers-with-swastika-on-his-right-arm/ Italian Catholic Priest Welcomes Believers with Swastika on His Right Arm]
 
−
*[http://www.politicususa.com/2013/08/04/evangelical-corporations-force-employees-follow-religious-beliefs.html Evangelical Corporations Try To Force Their Employees To Follow Their Religious Beliefs]
 
−
*[https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/australia-post-delivered-anti-gay-flyers-with-nazi-imagery?utm_term=.jmKJVNBm3#.qgP4YraKA Australia Post Unknowingly Handed Out Anti-Gay Flyers With Nazi Imagery]
 
−
 
−
 
−
{{Quotebox|
 
−
|width=33%
 
−
|align=right
 
−
|quote=See ten thousand ministries<br/>See the holy righteous dogs,<br/>They claim to heal, but all they do is steal,<br/>Abuse your faith, cheat, and rob,<br/>If God is wise, why is he still,<br/>When these false profits, call him friend,<br/>Why is he silent, is he blind!?<br/>|Are we abandoned in the end?
 
−
|source= [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mot%C3%B6rhead Motörhead], "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6UfqI5ovQI God Was Never on Your Side]"
 
−
|}}
 
−
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
----
 
----
 
{{Template:Navigation}}
 
{{Template:Navigation}}

Latest revision as of 23:45, 21 January 2019

Augustine.png

Clergy serve in the holy office of the ministry, and are expected to serve as spiritual and moral exemplars for the community whose development they oversee. Yet, too often, these guides and teachers are responsible for the most heinous of crimes, often committed against their own parishioners, enabled by exploiting the special trust and confidence which their communities had placed in them.

Churches protect their priests, even when faced with their absurdly evil crimes perpetrated against their own parishioners (i.e., sex abuse), simply because it is wildly expensive to put someone through seminary, an institution which few people chose to enter. It’s cheaper and easier to replace parishioners than it is to replace priests.[1] What little oversight exists in churches is thus exerted on blaming the victims and protecting the villains, like the mad kings who killed messengers bearing bad news.[2] This practice continued for centuries; in many European nations, the clergy was above secular law, and the church was permitted to internally handle any priest-related incidents. Even in the United States, it was all but unthinkable for the clergy to be tried in secular courts until 1979.[3]

A real Christian can’t work in a Christian organization.
—Rod Sherrill, Peter Popoff’s cameraman[4]

Jesus' main focus was not to prohibit stealing, sexual sins, or even violence -- but against hypocrisy (i.e., identification with a false persona which prevents one from being genuine or real). While this was intended as an indirect attack at the Pharisees, Christ issued this as a general blanket statement that made many enemies, who in turn, crucified him.[5] As such, those who claim that holiness leads to goodness must answer for all of the crimes listed below. Please note that this is just some of the material we have accrued, and this is not a complete list. A more through, independent listing is available at Clergy Gone Wild. Daily updates are available at the PastorArrested subreddit.

Fascism

See ten thousand ministries
See the holy righteous dogs,
They claim to heal, but all they do is steal,
Abuse your faith, cheat, and rob,
If God is wise, why is he still,
When these false profits, call him friend,
Why is he silent, is he blind!?

—Motörhead, "God Was Never on Your Side"

Fraud

Homicide

LBGTQ+ Discrimination

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Research studies have estimated that up to 20% or more of the clergy have violated sexual boundaries with parishioners (a higher percentage than any other professional group).
—Rev. Pamela Cooper White, Ph.D., from the Disciplinary Policy and Procedures Task Force of the Episcopal Church[6]
  • Details of the Catholic sex abuse scandal have been logged in extreme detail at bishopaccountability.org.
  • In September 2005, a Philadelphia grand jury concluded the longest probe of sexually abusive priests ever undertaken by a grand jury or district attorney at that time. Over the course of 3 years, the jurors documented over 60 abusive priests and hundreds of victimized minors, all hidden through a continuum of cover-ups by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The resulting 423-page report, and its additional 309 pages of appendices, refused to shy away from detailed descriptions of the priest’s crimes and was seeped in the barely-contained disgust and anger of its authors after years of examining secret documents and interviewing victims, perpetrators, etc. Keep in mind, this report was not written by people who viewed organized religion with suspicion, but by a group of ordinary citizens plucked from the jury pool, including some Catholics. The entire report is available at the Philadelphia D.A.’s website
  • Confessionals were invented in the late 1500s to curb sexual immorality, since Confession gave priests a private venue for molesting parishioners. This became so problematic that priests had to be sealed in boxes and communicate through screens to prevent all physical contact. However, this was soon circumvented once priests began secretly installing removable screens and/or glory holes. Alternately, the confessional was a place for anonymous dirty talk and masturbation.[7]

Unclassified and/or Weird

References

  1. ↑ D. W. Ray, The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture (IPC Press, 2009).
  2. ↑ M. T. Singer and J. Lalich, Cults in Our Midst: The Hidden Menace in our Everyday Lives (Jossey-Bass, 1995).
  3. ↑ G. L. Rediger, Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations and Under Attack (Westminster John Knox Press, 1997).
  4. ↑ J. Randi, The Faith Healers (Prometheus Books, 1987).
  5. ↑ J. A. Sanford, Ministry Burnout (Westminster John Knox Press, 1992).
  6. ↑ R. Kick, Everything You Know About God Is Wrong: The Disinformation Guide to Religion (Disinformation Books, 2007)
  7. ↑ G. P. Harrison, 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian (Prometheus Books, 2013).
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