[Illbay]

I'm not deigning to "judge the life of a priest." In fact, my attitude about, say, the monastic orders would be quite different. After all, they're not being asked to minister to those who are "inferior" to them, as the priests are.

What I'm judging is the RESULTS of this peculiar, insular institution, in its effects on the wider world. If this were just a problem of "the priestly life" and how they conduct themselves with ONE ANOTHER, that'd be one thing. But many of these have proven themselves inwardly to be ravening wolves. You have to be an imbecile not to be able to adjudge that.

Granted, I have some biases of my own. One scripture that comes to mind: "And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man." [Doctrine & Covenants 49:15]

Not just some sort of "compromise" with our weak, carnal natures, but ORDAINED of God unto man.

So, in my world-view, a celebate priesthood is contrary to the law of God.

And since I believe such laws are immutable and disregarded at our peril, it seems logical to me that problems such as the current scandal should result.

[IrishRainy]

..."But many of these have proven themselves inwardly to be ravening wolves. You have to be an imbecile not to be able to adjudge that..."

For the record, according to the Washington Post, a decidedly liberal paper, 99.3% of priests have never been accused of molestation. That means only 0.7%, less than 1%, have been. Furthermore, in reviewing data over the last 40 years, the Post noted that only 1.5% of priests have been found guilty of such crimes. That means 98.5% of priests are truly good men, trying to serve God as best they can.

Please take the time to acquaint yourself with the facts before posting your "imbecilic" thoughts.