That’s a gross overgeneralization. When my synagogue needed a substitute rabbi, they temporarily hired Rabbi Kaye. When we complained that he was creepy and aggressive, our parents said they were uncomfortable with him and had him fired. I don’t think he was even around long enough for anyone to fully realize how problematic he was.
That being said, I’ve met far more problematic religious leaders than well-intentioned folks.
That’s awesome that you were part of such a supportive family and synagogue, but your comment is giving “Not all men.” Your experience doesn’t refute the experience of millions of others. There’s a reason we generalize groups who protect dangerous members within their ranks.
Hmm, I’ve never thought about it that way. I know that when I hear, “all men are pigs,” I think to myself, “yes we are. I’ve had a problematic past that I’m glad I’ve put in the work to recognize and reduce, if not reverse that behavior.”
But when I hear that [paraphrasing] “all people who believe in God (uppercase because we’ve left out religions wet multiple gods) would rather their children get raped than accept that God loves pedophiles,” I feel like I’m hearing a false dichotomy or a loaded question along the lines of “when did you stop beating your wife.”
So, while I don’t practice or believe in any religion, I have a hard time agreeing with the sentiment that all religious people love pedophiles. How does someone like me, who engages with everyone for some dumb reason, compartmentalize or approach a topic like this where I only have experiences of the opposite? I see toxic masculinity, racism, sexism, and religious oppression every single day—but I’ve yet to see (in my personal life) a known or suspected pedophile not getting kicked in the teeth.
I probably sound incredibly walled off and ignorant right now, but that’s exactly the issue. I am obviously ignorant because of the fact that I and my community have always been given a voice.
Exactly. It’s even worse, I make it analogous to police.
When your organization is supposed to stand for X but a significant portion of it does Y, you don’t get to say “Oh it’s just some of them…” motherfucker your organization is supposed to be FULLY against Y
By that logic, it might be safe to say that I’m even worse than you’re describing because I don’t consider myself part of that organization.
But you might have a point that I somewhat understand. I used to volunteer at my friend’s church as often as possible, because I loved what they did for the community, how they supported LGBTQ+ rights, the fact that they also suspected a leader of being creepy around kids and excommunicated/reported him. But then, when the older folks in his congregation successfully switched the church from UMC to GMC, and the younger and more liberal members didn’t revolt, I stopped associating with the church altogether.
I’m starting to kinda get a clearer picture because, I definitely get the “some cops are decent people, but they’re bastards for joining the ranks because ACAB.” But, in the past, I’ve not been able to say “fuck the religious community” because they’ve actively rebelled against pedophilia. But looking at the communities now, suddenly supporting queer-hate and genocide, I see the cracks forming in my rose-colored glasses.
If I understand correctly what you’re saying, “organized religion doesn’t require joining an organization that has a disturbingly lax (at best) approach to dealing with pedophilia. Therefore, even the best members are still members of an organization that’s terrible on a larger scale. Just like how they can choose to join a problematic organization, they can defend their own choices without me carrying their water for them.” Is this more or less correct?
SkyMan could even be real, but it wouldn’t matter if he came down and told them their shiny TV gods were full of shit. They don’t follow the heroes of the magic books; they follow their idols.
Christians, Jews and Muslims would rather have their children raped than admit sky daddy is fake pedo enabler
That’s a gross overgeneralization. When my synagogue needed a substitute rabbi, they temporarily hired Rabbi Kaye. When we complained that he was creepy and aggressive, our parents said they were uncomfortable with him and had him fired. I don’t think he was even around long enough for anyone to fully realize how problematic he was.
That being said, I’ve met far more problematic religious leaders than well-intentioned folks.
That’s awesome that you were part of such a supportive family and synagogue, but your comment is giving “Not all men.” Your experience doesn’t refute the experience of millions of others. There’s a reason we generalize groups who protect dangerous members within their ranks.
Hmm, I’ve never thought about it that way. I know that when I hear, “all men are pigs,” I think to myself, “yes we are. I’ve had a problematic past that I’m glad I’ve put in the work to recognize and reduce, if not reverse that behavior.”
But when I hear that [paraphrasing] “all people who believe in God (uppercase because we’ve left out religions wet multiple gods) would rather their children get raped than accept that God loves pedophiles,” I feel like I’m hearing a false dichotomy or a loaded question along the lines of “when did you stop beating your wife.”
So, while I don’t practice or believe in any religion, I have a hard time agreeing with the sentiment that all religious people love pedophiles. How does someone like me, who engages with everyone for some dumb reason, compartmentalize or approach a topic like this where I only have experiences of the opposite? I see toxic masculinity, racism, sexism, and religious oppression every single day—but I’ve yet to see (in my personal life) a known or suspected pedophile not getting kicked in the teeth.
I probably sound incredibly walled off and ignorant right now, but that’s exactly the issue. I am obviously ignorant because of the fact that I and my community have always been given a voice.
Exactly. It’s even worse, I make it analogous to police.
When your organization is supposed to stand for X but a significant portion of it does Y, you don’t get to say “Oh it’s just some of them…” motherfucker your organization is supposed to be FULLY against Y
By that logic, it might be safe to say that I’m even worse than you’re describing because I don’t consider myself part of that organization.
But you might have a point that I somewhat understand. I used to volunteer at my friend’s church as often as possible, because I loved what they did for the community, how they supported LGBTQ+ rights, the fact that they also suspected a leader of being creepy around kids and excommunicated/reported him. But then, when the older folks in his congregation successfully switched the church from UMC to GMC, and the younger and more liberal members didn’t revolt, I stopped associating with the church altogether.
I’m starting to kinda get a clearer picture because, I definitely get the “some cops are decent people, but they’re bastards for joining the ranks because ACAB.” But, in the past, I’ve not been able to say “fuck the religious community” because they’ve actively rebelled against pedophilia. But looking at the communities now, suddenly supporting queer-hate and genocide, I see the cracks forming in my rose-colored glasses.
If I understand correctly what you’re saying, “organized religion doesn’t require joining an organization that has a disturbingly lax (at best) approach to dealing with pedophilia. Therefore, even the best members are still members of an organization that’s terrible on a larger scale. Just like how they can choose to join a problematic organization, they can defend their own choices without me carrying their water for them.” Is this more or less correct?
Yeah, but it’s fucking fine If it’s true, not sure why you’re defending pedophilia here man gross look.
It is but based on historical record, it supports the thesis pretty well.
Good that your congregation acted to protect the children though!
SkyMan could even be real, but it wouldn’t matter if he came down and told them their shiny TV gods were full of shit. They don’t follow the heroes of the magic books; they follow their idols.