Why can't priests keep their hands off altar boys?

[the nature boy]

screw that vow of celebacy. they need to let those dudes get married. Times have changed.

 

[curling]

Re: Re: Why can't priests keep their hands off altar boys?

I have my own theory about this. Unlike the protestant religion, Priests are required to take a vow of celibacy. (The Bible does not mandate this, by the way). Naturally, it is hard to find good men to join the priesthood. The protestants don't have that problem.

What kind of men are likely to take a vow of celibacy at a young age? Some dedicated men, I'm sure, but also probably a few who have some sexual hang-ups, or don't like women...

This is very reasonable and logical answer. Good job total ttlpkg. And you are right the Bible says it is up to the individual to decide if they should take a wife or not. That is another problem I have with the Catholic church is dictating policy that is not of the Bible.

 

[RyanH]

screw that vow of celebacy. they need to let those dudes get married. Times have changed.

the catholic church is one of the most rigid institutions in the world. Don't expect that in our lifetimes.....while the Vatican is out of touch with most American Catholics (on issues of contraception, divorce, etc), many other catholics, such as Italian Catholics more closely adhere to the church's teachings.

 

[Longhorn85]

This assumption of yours seems to imply that many priests choose priesthood as an antidote to their homosexual desires.

I am not suggesting that. I am sure that 100% of those that decide to join the priesthood have great intentions to help others. What I am suggesting is that taking a vow of celibacy at a young age is a tremendous commitment, and it is not unreasonable to deduct that at least some of those who become priests are not sexually inclined towards women in the first place.

 

[musclebrains]

I.

Finally, I disagree with Musclebrains. While I do believe that the tenant of celibacy is most undesirable, most priests and nuns have lived by it with much success. For instance, Mother Theresa and the Pope expressed their love to millions of people instead of just expressing their love through one individual. Simply because many of us (myself included) are sexed-out, is no reason to feel that everyone else must be as well.

Ryan.

Celibacy should be optional and women should be allowed to occupy positions of leadership in the church. The erotic may be sublimated in divine love and humanitarian work but I think that expectation is pretty archaic in our time. And I think the claim that "most priests and nuns" have lived celibately with success is quite dubious.

As it turns out there's an interesting discussion of this in the New Yorker this week. One interesting fact is the way priests' "vows" are quite bendable. For example, the vow of poverty does not extend to inheritance.

Ryan, you might wanna do a little research on MOther Theresa, by the way. Did you ever read Christopher HItchens' pieces on her?

One hundred years ago, Freud noted that the repression of the erotic was modernity's crime. The church, by mandating celibacy generally, except for marital procreative sex, is a continuing mechanism of that repression. It's no wonder that the priesthood itself should erupt into such a widespread symptomatic expression of the repression.

 

[Longhorn85]

The church, by mandating celibacy generally, except for marital procreative sex, is a continuing mechanism of that repression.

Brother, you're going to the wrong church! Where I come from, the joy of sex within the sanctity of marriage is not only encouraged, but promoted, and not just for procreation, for recreation and satisfaction.

 

[Prometheus]

I'll venture to say that there are percentage wise just as many Janitor pedophiles maybe more, than these sickening preists.

perhaps. but the media will only report ad nauseum about those who are Catholic priests. Janitors don't make headlines.


RyahH - I interpret your comment on the adherence of Italians to Catholic dogma, being that it characterizes the tendencies and beliefs of an entire population, as prejudicial, racist, and bigoted. However, you have full right to say what you want, even if offensive and misguided.

 

[Engine9]

I'll venture to say that there are percentage wise just as many Janitor pedophiles maybe more, than these sickening preists.

I agree. Although I have no idea that about the number of janitor pedophiles I do know that you are more likely to be molested by a family member. By using some of the logic found on this thread (the earlier posts), that would mean that all family members are pedohiles.

 

[musclebrains]

Brother, you're going to the wrong church! Where I come from, the joy of sex within the sanctity of marriage is not only encouraged, but promoted, and not just for procreation, for recreation and satisfaction.

WEll, I ain't Catholic, but the church's official policy is still to discourage any sex for pleasure and it's silly to think that the vow of celibacy taken by priests doesn't in part reflect and reinforce that dogma.

 

[RyanH]

RyahH - I interpret your comment on the adherence of Italians to Catholic dogma, being that it characterizes the tendencies and beliefs of an entire population, as prejudicial, racist, and bigoted. However, you have full right to say what you want, even if offensive and misguided.

there is nothing prejudicial about my statement at all. Most Catholics in Italy tend to be FAR more conservative than American Catholics and are much more hesitant to turn to abortion, out-of-wedlock chidlren, etc.