So You Want To Know What's Wrong With Religion? (8)

In recent months, Hollywood has exploded over the issue of sexual misconduct.  No, that's to simple a phrase.  It's exploded over allegations of rape, sexual extortion, and harassment.  Calling it sexual misconduct makes it sound like a little boy trying to peek under a skirt!  This is nothing more than criminal behavior.  But, you might ask how does this tie into religion?

Back a few years ago, the Catholic Church imploded with a scandal over pedophile priests.  I am sure you heard about it.  It was not only pedophiles, but the cover-up instituted by the Church hierarchy.  You might take a look at the movie "Spotlight", which is described as "The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core." I highly recommend it.

Three recent articles made me think more on this topic.  The first one is almost humorous:  "Bill Donohue: The Catholic Church is a “Model” for Handling Sexual Misconduct"  I say 'almost' because I hope no organization handles it the way the Catholic Church did.  There are lessons that Hollywood can learn from what the Catholic Church did and did not do, but calling them a 'model' is stretching things way out of line.  Bill said:

"If they want to navigate the issue properly, they should really look to an organization that has done everything right regarding abuse: The Catholic Church."

No, the Church has not done everything right, and Bill claiming this was a problem is pretty much history is ridiculous.  Take a look at "Timeline: A look at the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandals".  Australia, 2017, The Dominican Republic 2014, The Netherlands 2011 . . . the list goes on.  It is doing things better -- maybe, but right -- that remains to be seen.  But the Catholic Church isn't the only religious organization with self-induced problems.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have apparently done similarly stupid things, not just abuse, but protecting the abusers!  "FaithLeaks Releases Documents Surrounding Sexual Abuse Investigation in Jehovah’s Witness Congregation".  While they, the Jehovah's Witnesses, have refused to hand over documents, costing them $4000 a day to keep them away from public view.  Court records do show

" . . .the Jehovah’s Witnesses actually knew that Campos abused numerous children, yet they continued to promote him and didn’t take any steps to keep him from doing it again. The church actually gave him more responsibility and more access to children, despite their knowledge of his admitted wrongdoings."

Even modern megachurches aren't immune.  Just recently allegations of a sexual relationship between a pastor and a 17 year old girl have become public.  The pastor has admitted to it and, more importantly the victim is pressing charges.  However two points bother the hell out of me, one is that this -- after the allegations went public Memphis Megachurch Pastor Andy Savage, got up in front of his Megachurch and sort-of confessed.  He told his congregation that he had sinned and that it was never a secret from church leaders.  ("Memphis Pastor Admits ‘Sexual Incident’ With High School Student 20 Years Ago")

Huh?  Church Leaders knew about this and didn't do anything but let him continue his career?  I hope charges also get pressed on those who knew!  The other thing that is disturbing is his congregation gave him a standing ovation after his sort-of confession.  Let me repeat that -- They applauded!  This group of people STOOD UP AND APPLAUDED sexual assault!

Church leaders transferring known criminals, covering-up their crimes, refusing to cooperate with investigations, and at least one congregation applauding the crimes of their pastor!  And you wonder why I have problems with religion?