As a survivor of rape, I can say I believe it is an act of power. However, I think unnatural repression, i.e. forced lifelong celibacy (talk about a power trip!)can also contribute to such heinous crimes as these.

Michaelr, do please reread my post as Fionn suggested (thanks, Fionn). I was asking Jed to clarify his statement as it sounded to me as though he was implying something negative about gay men. For a fair idea of how I feel on the issue of homosexuality, you might find this thread interesting: Historical gay/lesbian/bisexual songs?.

The Church's modus operandi has always been to deny and obfuscate. Several years ago I did some research and had an article published about how the Church refuses to open records detailing the estimated millions in Nazi gold it still holds. As far as I know nothing has changed on that accord.

As for the current scandal, it is just another brick in the patriachal wall of the Piscean Age tumbling down. The more people who are free of the tyranny of organised religion the better, imo.

The Church says the Earth is flat;
But I know it is round
For I have seen the Shadow on the Moon,
And, I have more faith in a Shadow
Than in the Church.


- Magellan -