Sex abuse scandal. Guess the religion?

[Ecofarm]

membership in the church wasnt mandatory. if your parents where part of the church you became a member automatic.

Ok, it wasn't mandatory... it was automatic. :twitch:

[Wezil]

I'm sorry - I'm going to have to have time to wrap my mind around the idea of atheists becoming clergy, even for ulterior reasons/motives.

I've heard of it. A pastor east of Toronto is quite open about it. I'll look for a link...

[MrFun]

That's a shame, Wezil. You should only become part of clergy if you genuinely have a calling for it.

[Wezil]

I remember the story as I sometimes wonder how many of these people actually know they are peddling BS but do it anyway.

Unfortunately this was a couple years ago now and I can't recall enough details to pull up a link for it.

[rah]

Well if you think you have the calling "TO HELP PEOPLE" joining the clergy probably gives you the best opportunities. And If you're spending your life helping people, I don't think you need to believe in God, because you're doing his work anyway.

[MrFun]

That's okay - I still like you, Wezil.


EDIT: cross-post

[MrFun]

I don't think you need to believe in God, because you're doing his work anyway.

I disagree with this - I think the person needs to genuinely believe in God to become clergy. There many other ways to take up worthy/charitable causes without having to become clergy.

[rah]

But being the clergy makes it much easier. I'd rather have a good hearted priest that doesn't believe in god than one that does and diddles little boys.

[MrFun]

But being the clergy makes it much easier. I'd rather have a good hearted priest that doesn't believe in god than one that does and diddles little boys.

What kind of a value statement is this?? Anyone on here would never want to have a priest who molests children in the religious institution!

[rah]

Just a cheap shot at ben.
But my point still stands. If my priest is a good hearted man who is helping people, I really don't care if he believes in god or not. And think of the crisis in faith that many priests have when faced with the vast evils of man. How can a god allow these evils. Many priest have written on how they sometimes question their belief in a god that does nothing to prevent such evils. I'm sure many priests question their beliefs at least once in their life.

[DinoDoc]

Well if you think you have the calling "TO HELP PEOPLE" joining the clergy probably gives you the best opportunities.

Are you really so stupid as to not be able to think of other ways to do that than join the clergy?

[rah]

That's a bit harsh. Of course there are many ways, but being in the clergy gives you instant credibility with the faithful.

[Ecofarm]

Many priest have written on how they sometimes question their belief in a god that does nothing to prevent such evils. I'm sure many priests question their beliefs at least once in their life.

Last I heard, Mother Teresa spent a lifetime doing just that.

But I agree with Mr. Fun. There are plenty of good-hearted, compassionate and effective charities with which to become involved. Not believing in God (specifically) and being a priest is kinda being a saboteur; people are gonna find out that one can be a good person and not officially sanctioned to enter heaven by mythical authorities... then what?

[rah]

I'm quite sure there a many priest that don't believe in god but forget to mention that fact when talking to others.

When I was young and an alterboy, one of my favorite priests said there were points in his priesthood where he had stopped believing in god but eventually he'd believe again. So unless he was trying to get into my pants, I can't think of any reason that he would have lied to me.

[Ecofarm]

I'm quite sure there a many priest that don't believe in god but forget to mention that fact when talking to others.

Nah. They're morons; I'm convinced.

The priest was, quite obviously, giving you the opportunity (and idea) to consider leaving the faith in a youthful burst of rationality but making sure you know that returning is ok. He was putting a longer leash on one of his flock, with the qualifier that he (your mentor) had decided to come back. It's a standard routine that most cult promoters engage in... "I left but decided that we were right in the first place". Hell, it might even save you the trouble of trying to think for yourself for awhile - it's not like you were thinking (at that age) that you were wiser than the priest; he tried different and "proved" this path is best.


I really cannot believe that you would wonder about the political motives behind that common "story". It doesn't take a genius to see how such a story works for the cult in many different ways. For Christ's sake, the Mormons build it into the program.

1. We don't mind if people wander a bit.
2. Because the good ones (like me, your priest) come back even more sure of our fantasy.
3. If you wander... don't forget coming back is fine... even for someone of such astute authority as I.
4. Well, now that you know I came back... and you know I'm "special", then you might as well not think about bothering.


There, I spelled it out again. Now you can stop worrying that he was being a friend.