Arrrrgh..... This is why I even stepped out of the shadows of lurkage and decided to finally speak my mind instead of just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief that anyone would buy what you are attempting to sell!
And many of us shake our head in disbelief that so many do not see.
[quote[If I was sitting on a jury listening to heartbroken mothers and their children telling horrendous stories of abuse, I would wonder why those mothers didn't contact law enforcement and legislators when they discovered the abuse; why that pastor didn't report the abuse. So many "knew" that it split a church apart, but it never seemed to get to the point that the group had enough belief in the allegations that they would take it to the justice system. Why there wasn't a public outcry once it came to light. Will the jury hear that? [/quote]
In a large part vocims or their families do not come forward because of people just like yourself.
In our personal family situation many knew, going back 30 years I might add. Five conferences to spread is questionable charm. It is hard enough when it is your child. My son was in his middle thirties when a pastor (so called)
tore apart his family. I cannot imagine putting a child
or a young adult thru that. The "if I had been in that situation "I would have handled in the proper way and exposed my child the good christian folks" Not a good place to be in.
. Have you forgotten the Salem witch trials? How many lost their lives due to believing the lies of some little girls? How many exploited those lies for their own gain? How many clothed that process in the garb of religion and righteousness?
Yup compare the poor Sheltons with the Salem witch trials. That usually gets a little mileage and takes the focus of the guilty and places it on those "victims that might be lying" All to frequently that works.
I have followed many of the trials against the Catholic priests. Some victims have prevailed, some have not. One woman, who had a compelling story of several instances of rape, did not because she remained silent too long and had earlier convinced others and herself that the sex (when she was a teen) was consenual. Her abuser was convicted on counts against others, but not hers, so it is not a given that all will collect damages.
Most are not the age of consent, or it happens as a result of a vulnerable young person. Does not matter if they agree or the sex was forced,the party with the authority is the one that needs to be stopped. Especially in a christian enviourment. Doesn't even matter if the party was barely age of consent. What does matter is many of you are willing to look at this only as a slightly naughty activity. Not nice, but you know "all have sinned"
Ever occur to you that "collecting damages" is not what is upper most in the mind of most victims.
To me,it shows a lot about where you and others place their values, as it is always those that haven't a clue that are so anxious to bring up financial gain
Once a pastor, teacher, volunteer or employee of a christian denomination or employment crosses that line, he needs to be out the door as far as job goes, or acess to those he likes to prey on.
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Edited to clean-up quote of edited post.