All bureaucracies tend to be self-perpetuating. None more so than religious institutions. While religion and morality are not mutually exclusive, they are very far from the same thing. By trying to fight against the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of their institution, the Southern Baptists demonstrate the disconnect between religion and morality about as well as it can be. They are attempting to circle the wagons and protect their church, while offering up thoughts and prayers for their victims. And they wonder why fewer, and fewer people are showing up on Sunday mornings.
It’s the same old same old crap they have been doing for years. Dodge the question if it gets too close to the truth. Deflect the subject to something else. If you are too uncomfortable just ignore them. If it makes you angry, accuse them of blasphemy. When all else fails, call them stupid. If it appears that a biblical story is too fantastic and requires the suspension of physics, just deny it. And in the end, when they are about out of their wits— they may promise to pray for you. It’s that last one that curls my short hair. I find it to be disrespectful and insulting.
Okay, here's my question: if the SBC has been helping member priests in avoiding charges of sexual abuse of their congregants, does that make them complicit in those crimes? Does that not make the SBC an ACCESSORY to those same crimes? And if so, why hasn't that same tack been used against the Catholic Church to force recognition of its complicity in the widespread occurrences of child sexual abuse under its auspices?
Ain't one of these questions rhetorical ... and I think some serious and considered answers are overdue.
The real reason they are kicking and screaming is that deep down, where they fear to look, they'll find the evil face of those rapes and assaults and harassment and it'll be the face their God.
Christians often ask the question "Why don't the victims come forward sooner?" My normal answer is usually an impatient "Because of people like you largely." It's not a simple question than there are no simple answers and Christians love simple answers otherwise they wouldn't be Christians. I used to point them in the direction of an article by an NZ policeman who had dealt with many accusations of rape and sexual assault. I can't find it – but I notice now there is a plethora of information on the Internet from counsellors and psychologists about this topic. Not that it will have the slightest effect on Christian apologists. They have the "truth".
I'm taking a break from my local political blog because the place has become a hive of conspiracy theorists and general nuttery, in spite of the blog owner some months ago saying he'd stop it. You can only take so much of this shit without going crazy, and I want to live to 116.
There excuse for the amicus is "my lawyer told me to do it". That excuse is similar to what religious wrong doers have used since time immemorial: "The Devil made me do it." I guess they think it is better to go with the devil they know than take a the hard path toward truth, justice, reconciliation, and recompense for the victims.
On topic sort of: Mike Pence fails God, suspends presidential campaign in front of a Jewish conservative audience; doubles down to elect sane Republicans (he won't find any):
Former Vice President Mike Pence has suspended his campaign for president amid lagging poll numbers and financial challenges, vowing to help elect “principled Republican leaders” moving forward.
“After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today,” Pence said at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference in Las Vegas on Saturday.
All bureaucracies tend to be self-perpetuating. None more so than religious institutions. While religion and morality are not mutually exclusive, they are very far from the same thing. By trying to fight against the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of their institution, the Southern Baptists demonstrate the disconnect between religion and morality about as well as it can be. They are attempting to circle the wagons and protect their church, while offering up thoughts and prayers for their victims. And they wonder why fewer, and fewer people are showing up on Sunday mornings.
In other news, water is still wet, bears shit in the woods, and Francisco Franco is still dead.
It’s the same old same old crap they have been doing for years. Dodge the question if it gets too close to the truth. Deflect the subject to something else. If you are too uncomfortable just ignore them. If it makes you angry, accuse them of blasphemy. When all else fails, call them stupid. If it appears that a biblical story is too fantastic and requires the suspension of physics, just deny it. And in the end, when they are about out of their wits— they may promise to pray for you. It’s that last one that curls my short hair. I find it to be disrespectful and insulting.
OT
Maine breathes a little easier now. Robert Card, the Lewiston shooter, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Okay, here's my question: if the SBC has been helping member priests in avoiding charges of sexual abuse of their congregants, does that make them complicit in those crimes? Does that not make the SBC an ACCESSORY to those same crimes? And if so, why hasn't that same tack been used against the Catholic Church to force recognition of its complicity in the widespread occurrences of child sexual abuse under its auspices?
Ain't one of these questions rhetorical ... and I think some serious and considered answers are overdue.
Christians being pro-life is just another lie in a religion built on lies.
The real reason they are kicking and screaming is that deep down, where they fear to look, they'll find the evil face of those rapes and assaults and harassment and it'll be the face their God.
𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑆𝐵𝐶 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠.
Copying what the RCC has been doing for centuries.
Read the title and thought: Of course.
After consulting their lawyers they should have consulted their PR folks and realized this was a bad idea.
Christians often ask the question "Why don't the victims come forward sooner?" My normal answer is usually an impatient "Because of people like you largely." It's not a simple question than there are no simple answers and Christians love simple answers otherwise they wouldn't be Christians. I used to point them in the direction of an article by an NZ policeman who had dealt with many accusations of rape and sexual assault. I can't find it – but I notice now there is a plethora of information on the Internet from counsellors and psychologists about this topic. Not that it will have the slightest effect on Christian apologists. They have the "truth".
I'm taking a break from my local political blog because the place has become a hive of conspiracy theorists and general nuttery, in spite of the blog owner some months ago saying he'd stop it. You can only take so much of this shit without going crazy, and I want to live to 116.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/oct/28/want-to-live-to-116-the-secret-to-longevity-is-less-complicated-than-you-think
None of the pew peons who pay for this farce seem to care one bit. Such "good christians".
There excuse for the amicus is "my lawyer told me to do it". That excuse is similar to what religious wrong doers have used since time immemorial: "The Devil made me do it." I guess they think it is better to go with the devil they know than take a the hard path toward truth, justice, reconciliation, and recompense for the victims.
On topic sort of: Mike Pence fails God, suspends presidential campaign in front of a Jewish conservative audience; doubles down to elect sane Republicans (he won't find any):
Former Vice President Mike Pence has suspended his campaign for president amid lagging poll numbers and financial challenges, vowing to help elect “principled Republican leaders” moving forward.
“After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today,” Pence said at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference in Las Vegas on Saturday.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/28/politics/pence-suspends-white-house-bid/index.html
dementia don at one of his rallies.
https://twitter.com/BidenHQ/status/1718723159355019558
Ah yes, “Rape the children, protect the abuser” as Jesus once said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL9Il3t1TV0