I think where redcoast may be coming from is that most of the expressed horror stems not from the abuse (horrific as it is) but from the systematic (and systemic) cover-up. (How many parentheses can Mary use in one comment? Go!)
While there's no truth to the notion that the Roman Catholic Church is a giant child-abusing power-mad cult, the combination of widespread abuses (understanding that widespread =! common), routine suppression of incidents, and the existence of church hierarchy* leads to this sort of framing, especially in the American media. Who aren't exactly known for their restraint and taste.
For what it's worth, my two cents is that people have been demonizing the RCC for about the past two thousand years, and it's done all right regardless. Or as my dad would say, this, too, shall pass.
*Meaning that a scandal in one Southern Baptist church, for example, doesn't tend to reflect badly on others because there's no overall, standardized leadership; it's perceived quite differently in a church with an institutionalized hierarchy.
Rebecca, you are defriended. When you stop following lynch mobs and start reflecting on the nature of hate, prejudice and journalistic misrepresentantion, get back in touch. Till then, you are not welcome on this blog.
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While there's no truth to the notion that the Roman Catholic Church is a giant child-abusing power-mad cult, the combination of widespread abuses (understanding that widespread =! common), routine suppression of incidents, and the existence of church hierarchy* leads to this sort of framing, especially in the American media. Who aren't exactly known for their restraint and taste.
For what it's worth, my two cents is that people have been demonizing the RCC for about the past two thousand years, and it's done all right regardless. Or as my dad would say, this, too, shall pass.
*Meaning that a scandal in one Southern Baptist church, for example, doesn't tend to reflect badly on others because there's no overall, standardized leadership; it's perceived quite differently in a church with an institutionalized hierarchy.
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