Dallas

[karlskorner]

How many former phedophiles are sitting in the meeting of 284 Bishops in Dallas ?. Or shouldn't we ask. Sounds like the fox in the hen house to me. Zero tolerance for the new boys, the old ones will have to explain to a Higher Authority, when they pass over.

Karl

[boxcar]

Karl, why the qualifier "former"?

Boxcar

[so.cal.fan]

They should do away with priests-PERIOD
These "freaks" should not be allowed to hide in the church.
The Catholic Church risks oblivion if this continues, no question about it.

[boxcar]

What's really ironic is that Catholic theology departs from biblical theology in so many areas, including the system of priesthood and the supposed requirement of celibacy. What the world is witnessing are the results of this departure, i.e. corruption throughout the church.

Boxcar

[so.cal.fan]

I think all "organized" religions miss the mark, Box.
Why do we need a "third" party to get in touch with "The Great One"???????
I have no problem with anyone who wants to belong to a Church, Temple, etc; If that suits you, fine.
I happen to believe that since all color comes from the same light, so does everything on the planet, including us, so for some pompous religious "leader" to try to control us or anything else is just crazy.
Some of these religions are more controlling than others.
Islam for example.
I think a hundred years from now, there will be a huge change in people's perception of these things, and it will be for the good!

[Rick]

I wonder how many people in organized religions have ever actually read the scriptures of their particular religion. They always seem to be willing to listen to someone else "interpreting" them in the most bizarre manner.

I don't know if I heard this right, but I thought I heard someone say that as many as 2/3 of priests would have to be removed under a zero tolerance policy. I hope that's an exaggeration.

[so.cal.fan]

What really p****s me and many others off is the TAX FREE status these "religions" enjoy! B***S***!
We could sure do better things with the money they should rightfully be paying in TAXES, like the rest of us!

[boxcar]

so.cal.fan wrote:

>>
I think all "organized" religions miss the mark, Box. Why do we need a "third" party to get in touch with "The Great One"???????
>>

Because "birds of a feather tend to flock together"? :)

But seriously, the assembling of believers and the establishment of pastors over Christ's church is biblically sanctioned. For example, in the Book of Hebrews in the N.T., believers are commanded to "not forsake the assembly of believers". There are other N.T. passages, as well, that support this idea. Pastors, for instance, are exhorted to minister to the flock, etc., etc.

And the gathering of believers, etc. all flows down from O.T. practices by the Jews. Don't forget: The early Christian church was comprised mostly of Jews. Therefore, these N.T. concepts were not totally foreign to the average Jew in biblical times.

Boxcar

[ranchwest]

Originally posted by so.cal.fan
I think all "organized" religions miss the mark, Box.
Why do we need a "third" party to get in touch with "The Great One"???????
I have no problem with anyone who wants to belong to a Church, Temple, etc; If that suits you, fine.
I happen to believe that since all color comes from the same light, so does everything on the planet, including us, so for some pompous religious "leader" to try to control us or anything else is just crazy.
Some of these religions are more controlling than others.
Islam for example.
I think a hundred years from now, there will be a huge change in people's perception of these things, and it will be for the good!

The Bible teaches that the church is for worship of God, spreading the Good News about God and fellowship of members. Using the church as a personal power base is not Biblical.

We don't have to wait for a hundred years for quality worship. It exists today, we just have to seek it out.

Due to moving, etc., I've been in a lot of churches, some better than others. The one I'm in now is a wonderful place to be.

[boxcar]

Well said, RanchWest.

Boxcar

[Rick]

ranchwest,

What church are you currently in? Just curious and you don't have to tell me, but I'm always interested in which ones are more genuine.

[so.cal.fan]

Of course there are good churches, and plenty of good people who attend them.
All of us who post on this forum are good people, we care about things, that is why we post here on off topic.
We are of different political views at times, different religious beliefs, but I don't know anyone who posts regular on this board who I do not consider a decent sort, and respect their opinions.
Too bad everyone can't be as nice as we are!!!!!! LOL:)

[karlskorner]

Although baptized as a Catholic, I never attended any church. I spent 3 summers of my youth studying 3 different religions and came away as an "agnostic", with the essential belief that the ultimate cause (God) and the essential nature of things are unknow. (God) is within us all and we have only ourselves to answer to. What I call Karl's Karma.

But what is going on in Dallas, has nothing to do with anybodys church or religion, it is about grown men taking sexual advantage of 8 year old alter boys. If these men were in the 'outside" world they would be in prision, but these men sitting in Dallas knowingly hid these crimes from the outside world under the guise of their religion. It's not the religion that is at fauilt, it's cetain men within it.

Karl

[ranchwest]

Originally posted by Rick
ranchwest,

What church are you currently in? Just curious and you don't have to tell me, but I'm always interested in which ones are more genuine.

First Baptist Church of Arlington (TX). It is a church of unbelievably caring people. While lots of churches believe in foreign missions (and this one does, too), this church operates a mission across the street that provides clothes, furniture, medical and dental care, an unbelievable volume of Christmas gifts and a lot more.

A couple of weeks ago, our pastor announced that we weren't going to have contribution commitment cards, that it was between us and God. Shocker in today's times.

And, the staff doesn't try to justify their existence by insisting that everyone attend every function. It is a church where regular attendance doesn't have to mean daily.

When the people in this church ask you how you are, they actually want to know.

Just a few examples of what is going on.

[ranchwest]

Originally posted by karlskorner
Although baptized as a Catholic, I never attended any church. I spent 3 summers of my youth studying 3 different religions and came away as an "agnostic", with the essential belief that the ultimate cause (God) and the essential nature of things are unknow. (God) is within us all and we have only ourselves to answer to. What I call Karl's Karma.

But what is going on in Dallas, has nothing to do with anybodys church or religion, it is about grown men taking sexual advantage of 8 year old alter boys. If these men were in the 'outside" world they would be in prision, but these men sitting in Dallas knowingly hid these crimes from the outside world under the guise of their religion. It's not the religion that is at fauilt, it's cetain men within it.

Karl

Sorry I contributed to getting off topic.

You're absolutely right that these actions are not acceptable.

When I was in college, I was in a fraternity that was founded by Catholics. So, our campus advisor was the priest at the Catholic student center. He is now a Bishop and on "the list" for having transferred an offender. This is deeply distressing for me.

[boxcar]

karlskorner wrote:

>>
But what is going on in Dallas, has nothing to do with anybodys church or religion
>>

I disagree. What has been going on for years should have been dealt with in a biblical manner. The bishops who covered up this scandal are just as guilty as the pedophile priests.

This would never have become the scandal it has if the bishops had exercised spiritual discernment instead of trying to find secular solutions, e.g. psychological counselling for the offenders, etc.

Even now, the lack of spiritual discernment has prevailed in the current meetings, since the bible deals with the practical issues of church discipline; but the bishops continue to insist on playing by their own man-made rules. Pastors who commit gross sin and violate the trust of their congregation must step down or be removed from their pastoral positions, according to scripture. IOW, the bible mandates a one strike you're out policy for pastors and deacons. Period.

Boxcar

[Tom]

I guess I am amazed (especially since I am a Catholic) that it takes a conference to decide this matter.....you molest children, you go to jail now and Hell later. No matter how many times you did it, no matter how long ago. This is one area whre there can never be any tolerance, forgiveness, or leniency. Personally, I favor lifetime confinement.
At the risk of blaspamy, where the HELL has the Pope been??
He should be writing out severnce checks for a lot of bishops.
Starting with the pompus ass in Boston.....I hope the legal authorities investigate this shameful piece of crap...he belongs in jail.

:mad: :mad: :confused:

[wes]

It looks like they all got together in Dallas and had a funeral and a burial of the bible. Never trust anyone that their profession starts with a (P) without some caution.


wes

[karlskorner]

What I don't understand is where is "Law Enforcement" during all of this. This mornings headlines state that the Bishops have voted not to defrock anyone. Meanwhile within the Catholic Church there are thousands of records indicating who these people are and the millions of dollars belonging to the Catholics that was spent to "hide" this disgrace.

Are these people "above" the law ?

Karl

[so.cal.fan]

That is what I could never understand, Karl.
There is an old book out, from the late 60's early 70's.
ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION, by Tom Robbins.
It is the most enjoyable book I ever read, plus........just read it!

[karlskorner]

so.cal.fan;

I usually don't let matters beyond my control bother me, but this does. How can any Catholic walk into church, look up at the alter and wonder "is he or isn't he". How can a priest put on his collar and walk out into public and not have people stare and wonder "is he or isn't he". The sad part it's being going on for hundreds of years, within the church and outside the church. Men having a strange desire for soft little boys. Those that have been caught have been sent to prison, the Catholic Church has seen fit to send their offenders to some nice quiet mountain retreat and masterbate over pleasant memories.

It's time good Catholics take back what is rightfully theirs and clean house.

Karl

[so.cal.fan]

I agree with you, Karl.
I share your frustration.
The positive thing is that it is being exposed.
People are painfully aware.
I still stand by my earlier post. Either the church (I can't even push the shift key on cHURCH here) change or fade into oblivion.
They really only have one option.
Personally, I would like to see them lose law suit after law suit, until they are BROKE.
That goes for any organized religion that abuses/cheats or intimidates innocent people.

:mad:

[boxcar]

karlskorner wrote:

>>
I usually don't let matters beyond my control bother me, but this does. How can any Catholic walk into church, look up at the alter and wonder "is he or isn't he". How can a priest put on his collar and walk out into public and not have people stare and wonder "is he or isn't he". The sad part it's being going on for hundreds of years, within the church and outside the church. Men having a strange desire for soft little boys. Those that have been caught have been sent to prison, the Catholic Church has seen fit to send their offenders to some nice quiet mountain retreat and masterbate over pleasant memories.

It's time good Catholics take back what is rightfully theirs and clean house.
>>

The questions you raise are all legitimate. In these distressing and distrubing times for the Catholic Church, I think even most unbelievers would be able to understand the bible's wisdom behind its "one strike you're out mandate", e.g. "the man of God MUST be beyond reproach" (emphasis mine).

Boxcar

Boxcar

[karlskorner]

Boxcar;

This thought came to me in the middle of a rainy afternoon.

Horseowners/Trainers do it, Sheiks with harems do it. Castrate.
Geld them after they take the vows (insurance). If they have a change of heart later on. Hey.......

We have a child molester in S.Fla. going up for 25 years, he has asked to be castrated instead of do time.

Karl

[Tom]

Originally posted by karlskorner
Boxcar;

This thought came to me in the middle of a rainy afternoon.

Horseowners/Trainers do it, Sheiks with harems do it. Castrate.
Geld them after they take the vows (insurance). If they have a change of heart later on. Hey.......

We have a child molester in S.Fla. going up for 25 years, he has asked to be castrated instead of do time.

Karl

Do both. And double down on the 25.
And 50 from now, perform a lobotomy on the slime ball before he is let out.

[Rick]

If you really want to think about something sick, there are parents now putting their children on web sites portrayed in provocative poses designed to appeal to child molesters. The motive is GREED as usual. And, since the depictions are not totally nude, they can't be prosecuted as pornography. Sickos are now exploiting their children. What next?

[boxcar]

And its these kind of sick parents who will probably go out and buy load of those "cute" thongs for little girls that are being offered by
Abercrombie & Fitch.

A pastor of mine many years ago predicted that since society has condoned and approved, through the legal system, the murder of human fetuses that we could logically expect that children outside the womb would be fully exploited. I'd say he has called that shot perfectly.

Boxcar

[karlskorner]

Tom;

This could go on and on. The police have a hard time finding them in the general public, but the Catholic Church "knows" who they are and won't expose them. That's hard to accept. From the Pope on down, if they want to make it right with their flock, expose them, turn them over to the proper authoriities. The Catholic Church has to mend it's fences, it will be along time before their followers find peace within the Catholic Church.

Karl