Getting rid of confessionals will not change their behavior. They have been doing this for a very, very long time and they are very good at getting away with it. They are the most hypocritical of religions as far as I am concerned. They love the patriarchy, money and children equally.

Not going to happen. Religious liberty and all that rot.

No one is suggesting priests be required to disclose the bedroom habits of the neighborhood housewives. They're talking about reporting crimes. Against children. By repeat offenders.

So gossip shouldn't be a consideration. What actually is a consideration is the same standards of reporting which we hold other professions to. I'm told it's not actually supposed to be a conspiracy to cover up crimes, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Including some here.

you are fine with them just not being required to tell anyone. Even though we KNOW from the psychology of child rapists that it isn't going to just stop on its own. No number of prayers is going to stop that person from continuing to rape that child or another child.

for information about the sexual abuse of children when that information is obtained by a priest in a confessional session?

But as of today, the RCC has not contacted me for my opinion on this matter.

How do you feel the SCOTUS would rule on this, if a law were to be passed mandating such reporting requirements?

But could not pass up an opportunity to attack people here for doing that.

Odd.

Do you have an opinion on that, or are you a designated questioner only?

Now, back to you: do you support the state interfering in religious freedom?

You know, the topic under discussion, where you agreed with another poster that those bad atheists just wanted to use the state to suppress freedom of religion.

It is ultimately up to the politicians to pass laws, and for the courts to interpret laws. So if a law is passed, and if it is contested by a covered entity, let me know and we can weigh in with our opinions, but even then, the Courts have the final say.

What is the point to expressing any kind of opinion? Why do you play this silly game of responding but failing to clarify or support your position?

Read the entire thread and it is there.

There's a post specifically claiming "some here" are in favor of eliminating religious liberties in a thread where the "liberty" in question involves not reporting dangerous crimes to interested authorities. The only scenario in which this claim makes sense in context of the OP is if you actually agree the social necessity of reporting dangerous criminals is not compelling enough an interest to hold priests to same reporting standards required of teachers, school administrators, medical professionals, etc.

Of course, there's the possibility the "some here" claim was not meant to be in context of the OP... which, if true, you clearly have no reasonable ground from which to complain about being "framed".

The knee-jerk reaction is to defend religion AT ALL COSTS. Then he realizes what he just did, and obfuscates.

I think he is deliberately vague from the beginning. He isn't trying to convince anybody of anything. He just wants to see how long he can string out a language game.

I am recalling his "Is it legal to be a Nazi?" game when asked if we should tolerate Nazis.

Never mind the many posts that spelled it out in very plain terms.

It might convince the congregation.

As I said, keep repeating things for the benefit of the tiny congregation.

A faith based argument from a non-theist? Interesting exercise.

It has no other meaning.

Others may feel differently. Others might see a different motivation.

And how could you give me your opinion of a post before I made it?

and already seen it. Or not.

That is, you said in #59 that "others" may have a different opinion of post #58, but I wanted to hear your opinion of post #58, not your opinion of what "others" opinions might be.

I understand, you have better things to do.

to quickly come up with someone denying the historical fact of Jesus?

Yes, I was. But the tactic, or technique, of repeating and reframing the same question is a very basic and obvious one. It allows the questioner to avoid any actual dialogue. And this tactic is practiced often here by a few posters.

I am not naming anyone here specifically, but anyone who looks at the posts can arrive at a conclusion.

Why post non-answers?

But if you don't want to answer it, you don't have to.

For you.

Since you respond to my posts.

That's why everyone is asking you to clarify.

In the interest of linguistic clarity.

And failing.

Last edited Thu Nov 30, 2017, 12:41 AM - Edit history (1)

We've being doing it at least as long as we've had religion.

Which is more important to you:

A) Preventing child rape

B) Protecting Catholic doctrine

A or B?

Because in your post #7, you imply that B is more important to you. You express concern that "some here" want the state to infringe on religious beliefs.

Clarify here and now.

A or B?

I don't feel this is a trick question that is a trap. It's easy enough to answer. I realize it wasn't directed at me, but seems like something I have no problem taking a side on.

I have no reservations answering it myself.

I fully realize he's never going to engage in honest discussion on this topic, so I do this in order to expose his tactics for others.

Neat gif, by the way.

Your endless clarification is repetitive.

Please, type one letter for me.

If you don't, I will assume you opt for B, because that's what your initial reply in this thread indicates.

Let me know if I am wrong.

Really, it is as close to perfection as a mortal can attain.

Hint: You assume far too much, and far too incorrectly.

given your "some people" response.

Could you just indicate whether you feel A or B is correct so that there is no further confusion on my part? Thanks.

Reread the replies in this post.

I just don't see it.

And, just so you know, "Nice try" seems like you are actively trying to avoid answering the question.

Here, watch this...I 100% think A is more important than B. I would NEVER think B is more important than A.

See. It's easy. You can ask me again, and I'll answer the same.

But, just point me at the post of yours that you think answers the questions and I'll look at it. Because I have honestly scrolled through this entire subthread and don't see a direct answer.

A or B, please.

Stop with the games.

A or B.

you are fine with them just not being required to tell anyone. Even though we KNOW from the psychology of child rapists that it isn't going to just stop on its own. No number of prayers is going to stop that person from continuing to rape that child or another child.

This is your chance to make sure that I know you opinions on this.

Wow.

As near as I can tell, it's because he holds no actual opinions. He's basically a nihilist. I am speaking only for myself of course.

given that he can never defend them.

You can just sit back, relax, and whinge about people "framing" you.

At least for Catholics it is.

Understood.

pederasts or anything, so obviously that can’t be the motive.

they have an obligation to break the attorney/client privilege and inform relevant authorities. As a teacher, I HAVE to report if I know something is happening. Even if I THINK something is happening. And if you don't think teachers have close guidance relationships with students as deep as a priest, then you are kidding yourself.

Nobody wants someone's "innermost flaws" to be "fodder for gossip." What we want is that if the priest knows that someone is RAPING A FUCKING CHILD that that priest be mandated to FUCKING TELL SOMEONE SO IT STOPS.

Allowing a child rapist to continue their crime is not "freedom of religion." And if it is, fuck that.

The church for centuries used it for blackmail
It protects criminals
Anyone that thinks they need an intermediator between them and god is an idiot
and the confessional NEVER stopped the gossip

In the US, many states have placed clergy on the mandated reporter list.

BTW, if you beliefs require you to defend the rights of pedophiles and rapists to be protected by your church, your beliefs are trash.