How do you explain Catholic priests molesting children?

Posted on: May 28, 2024 at 23:09:35 CT

Or the sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention?

I appreciate your responses and respect your self discipline. I do think our culture needs more of it. It's also refreshing to have a civil discussion here even though I think we see the world differently. That means a lot to me.

But, I am comfortable not agreeing with your premise because I see shame as perpetuating an external locus of control by which others tell us who we are, what is peaceful, and what needs to honor or dishonor.

In my experience, suppression/repression of human needs is incredibly violent both internally to a person and externally because the repressed needs are projected onto others. And, any shaming is going to lead to suffering and abuse of self and/or others because shaming implies a person is not worthy. This is why the Catholic church both hid horrendous sexual abuse and preached a hardline shaming of premarital sex as "immorality." We shame what we feel shame about.

I'd even argue that when we repress/suppress our basic human needs (including sexuality) it perpetuates a disconnect from spirit. It's the antithesis of Christ-centered. Most Christians I've known are the least loving people because they routinely ignore their needs for years by allowing others to tell them who they are, what they need, and what it means to be "good." Instead of being connected to the holy spirit within and allowing their spirit-led peace to direct their choices (internal locus of control), they live their lives judging and shaming others who don't also suppress and repress their needs.

The fruit of the spirit is seldom practiced within Christian churches because very few Christians truly understand the liberatory nature of love without judgement. Few are free enough to have an internal locus of control which stems from spirit.

And when we're not truly free in spirit we cause violence.

Edited by LamarFrazier at 23:19:01 on 05/28/24