What with all the hubbub lately about rampant pedophilia in the Roman Catholic Church, and the cover-up thereof, I figured it's about time I say something about it.
First of all, I want to mention that I've been well aware of these behaviors (including the cover-ups) for quite some time. Freethought Today, as I've mentioned before, regularly features a section on "Black Collar Crimes," and of course, sexual abuse is a frequent crime listed. And when the same names keep popping up, in different locations, it's not hard to figure out that something foul is afoot. My question is: why has it taken so long for this to come to light? But that's not the topic I want to cover.
I'd also like to say that our country is very weird when it comes to sexuality of minors. Unquestionably, we live in a society that is drenched with sexuality. It's everywhere you look, even in television commercials, and is aimed at almost all age groups. And yet, ironically, we're also very sex-negative in this society, especially where anyone under the age of 18 is concerned.
Pretty much, we view any form of sexual impulse in a minor as somehow "wrong," even though it is the most natural thing in the world. In many states, even such common activities as oral sex are still illegal, though the laws themselves are rarely enforced. Other blue laws, though, are being enforced more and more with the advancement of conservatives in offices.
Which brings us to pedophilia, a word often bandied about by these same conservatives. To listen to them, you'd think that pedophiles are as common as alcoholics.
But they're not.
In fact, pedophiles comprise a minuscule portion of the population. And the vast majority of child sexual abuse that takes place is perpetrated not by perverts skulking around outside of elementary schools, waiting to snatch an overly trusting child away. No, such monsters are the exception by far, not the rule. The vast majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by parents.
This is a fact, folks. Don't believe me? Look into it. That's what you'll find.
I'm not going to go into the psychological reasons behind this, but I will say that it's much easier for a child to be taken advantage of (sexually or otherwise) by an authority figure such as a parent. Or for that matter, a priest.
I'd also like to point out that it seems to be human nature to desire more the things that we are denied. We don't take well to being denied things. This is one of the reasons why "abstinence only" sex "education" will never work. It's why teenagers are more drawn to smoking and drinking… because they're not allowed legally to do these things.
So. What are Roman Catholic priests denied? Sex. Their vows prohibit it.
Denying the sexual urge is not pious, it's unnatural. Humans are sexual creatures, after all. And one thing that can be said for nature: it's pretty hard to control.
Oh, some priests will say that their faith provides all the fulfillment needed; sexual release is unnecessary.
Bullshit.
Catholic priests are unnaturally repressed by their religion's tenets, and it should be no surprise to anyone that they don't handle it very well. (Would you, after all?)
Now, it's a rare adult who would be taken in by a priest who puts the moves on them. And priests are well aware of this. But a child, on the other hand… a child who is taught to respect authority figures and told that a priest is pretty much the ultimate authority figure (being connected to God, after all)… that's a different story. Children are (you'll pardon me for saying this) a logical target for priests.
In fact, I don't really believe that all these priests are pedophiles by the standard psychological definition. I think it's just that they're too afraid to go after older prey. They take what they can get, and that just happens to be kids.
What's that you say? Prostitutes? Yes, it would certainly be possible for a priest to utilize a prostitute with a high degree of anonymity. But you have to keep in mind that prostitutes are considered filthy, condemned by their religion. These "whores" would "pollute" them. A child, on the other hand, is pure. Or as close to purity as humans get. Thus, the priests do not "contaminate" themselves by bedding a child. (Never mind what they do to the child... that's not what they care about.)
If anything, I have more contempt for these priests than I do for a "real" pedophile, since true pedophilia is a mental aberration that is largely beyond the person's ability to control.
But the sexual molestations performed by priests are entirely within their abilities to control. They are deliberately using their positions of authority to coerce gullible children... heinous behavior in and of itself. Above all, they should have sense enough to know that their vows are unnatural.
Oh, who am I kidding? These are men who do not have a sensible view of nature to begin with. Why would I think for a moment that they'd really understand human behavior in a naturalistic way? Silly me.
Still… it's about damn time these atrocities are being brought to light. But you'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't hold my breath waiting for the type of investigation into the Church that is truly warranted.
