Finally! A secular government has the balls..

[BlueStreak]

...to stand up to organized religion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100625/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_belgium

Good for You, Belgium!

Dave

[djv8ga]

Ditto...Good for them. :)

[Boreas]

The Vatican really does believe it's above the law, doesn't it?

John

[d-ray657]

Are you suggesting that an organization who demands celibacy of its officials is not prepared to deal with sexual deviants? Yeah, maybe you're right.

Regards.

D-Ray

[merrylander]

maybe that will take everyones mind off seperation.

[BlueStreak]

maybe that will take everyones mind off seperation.

I don't think so, Rob. The first thing you'll hear is "Well, that's just the Catholics. That sort of thing would never happen in my church, 'cuz we're closer to Godliness than they are.":rolleyes:

Dave

[merrylander]

I was thinking of the seperation of Belgium into French and Dutch areas, I think the central government there is kind of hanging in - barely.

[Boreas]

I don't think so, Rob. The first thing you'll hear is "Well, that's just the Catholics. That sort of thing would never happen in my church, 'cuz we're closer to Godliness than they are.":rolleyes:

Dave

I think this sort of thing is more likely in the Catholic church because of the celibate clergy.

John

[d-ray657]

I think this sort of thing is more likely in the Catholic church because of the celibate clergy.

John

I think that was my point, just stated a bit more obtusely. If one were to consider the norm, or even the most common sexual practices, one might argue that celibacy is deviant.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

I think this sort of thing is more likely in the Catholic church because of the celibate clergy.

John

Possibly. I was just speaking to the arrogance of, "Well, that's just those people. No one here would ever do such a thing."---Famous last words.

See what I'm sayin'?

Dave

[merrylander]

Pedophilia and celibacy are two different things and they have not been screening applicants for the priesthood well at all.

I would imagine that it does present more opportunities since a child is likely to be unable to believe that what the 'good father' is doing is wrong.

[Charles]

I think that was my point, just stated a bit more obtusely. If one were to consider the norm, or even the most common sexual practices, one might argue that celibacy is deviant.

Regards,

D-Ray

Excellent point, to a degree.

Celibacy, when practiced judiciously, is a moral issue.

Chas

[Boreas]

I think that was my point, just stated a bit more obtusely. If one were to consider the norm, or even the most common sexual practices, one might argue that celibacy is deviant.

I suppose, but my thought is that the idea of celibacy appeals to a person who recognizes in himself a sexuality or maybe just sexual predilections which fill him with dread and horror. In those circumstances a celibate life appears to offer a means of escape from self.

We all know how that works.

John

[elwood127]

I think this sort of thing is more likely in the Catholic church because of the celibate clergy.

John

Tell that to the asshole from my baptist church that abused my best friend and I. It started with "would you like to mow my yard?" Mandatory castration works for me.

[BlueStreak]

Tell that to the asshole from my baptist church that abused my best friend and I. It started with "would you like to mow my yard?" Mandatory castration works for me.

And this was my point.

Dave