Reply #2: Its the institution of religion that brings about this concentration of predators [View All]

Its by no means intentional of course. Its entirely incidental to the actual religion itself. Its really a product of a combination of societal factors and religions reputation of being wholesome and good. It goes a little something like this.

People with predilections that are rejected by society often see themselves as tainted or evil. They do not choose to be the way they are. They just find they have drives and urges that are out of place in society. They are aware of this difference but it doesn't change the fact that they have urges.

So these people have to deal with their issues however they can. Ideally they would go seek professional mental health care. But our system being what it is finances and social stigma can create an environment where they cannot or will not seek that particular form of help. So those that do not seek mental care wind up trying to deal with it on their own.

Those that wish to rid themselves of these drives or demons as they sometimes see them will turn to religion. They are taught that religion is the epitome of goodness. And since they feel as though they are corrupted and evil turning to goodness brings them hope of purging their drives. But it doesn't work that way. So some try to immerse themselves even deeper within religion by joining the clergy of whatever particular sect they belong to. The idea being that immersion in the religion surely must cleanse whatever evil is within them.

And here is where part of the real tragedy kicks in. Because the training for most ecumenical positions requires isolated education methods the individual is removed from the sources of their temptations and urges. It is as if they are given a reprieve for a time. They feel free of the corruption that drove them to this place.

Once they are through the education process they are ordained. And here is the second tragedy. Because the clergy carries with it an aura of trust these untreated predators are now given the same aura of trust. People expose their hearts to these people and draw themselves in close. And with the sudden reappearance of that which drives their urges combined with this close emotional trust it can be overwhelming for them and they cross the line and become an actualized predator.

Training for the clergy does nothing to treat or limit the urges these people feel. They do not choose to feel the things they do. They do not choose to be a threat to society. But a threat is what they are. And the trappings of the clergy just make them all the more dangerous.