Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: chuckles; autumnraine
As far as male priests molesting children, That comes from the errancy of Catholics denying marriage to their officials.

The three companies that insure the majority of Protestant churches in America say they typically receive upward of 260 reports each year of young people under 18 being sexually abused by clergy, church staff, volunteers or congregation members.
Report: Protestant Church Insurers Handle 260 Sex Abuse Cases a Year

So much for your first argument.

1Tim 4:1-4 says the bishops(1 Tim 3:2) should have 1 wife so it is a doctrine of demons to deny marriage.

This verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church's Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.

The Scriptures specifically says that it might be advantageous to remain unmarried to be an evangelist, but if you are tempted to sin in your flesh, GET MARRIED.

According to Matt. 19:11-12, Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones. Jesus Christ was celibate!

38 posted on 07/31/2008 10:39:36 AM PDT by NYer ("Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." - St. Jerome)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies ]


To: NYer

I wasn’t saying Protestants didn’t molest children too. I was making a point that being male alone does not a good church leader make.

And I still say being married does not make you not like little boys.


45 posted on 07/31/2008 2:45:59 PM PDT by autumnraine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson