LA Churches Pay >$650M in Molestation Settlement

Morro

Interesting.
I'm not surprised they settled, really. And while 660 million dollars is a lot, remember that there are more than 500 plaintiffs. Damn.

I do wonder what percentage of those were actually abused, though. Not to defend an institution that perpetuated child rape, but I would say the gold-diggers and memory-manufacturers are probably pretty numerous. Then again, their numbers are probably made up for by people who were abused, but refuse to come forward about it.

Still. 660 million. Whiew.

Malakaiii

It's obscene how much money the church has that they can afford to do that... Yikes.

And I agree, probably not all of the plaintiffs were actually abused. But I'm glad that the court system recognizes how extreme child abuse is, and what it can do to a person longterm...

IVT

This is why I don't like it when people assume that "Christianity" = "Catholicism"
It would have been really funny if the sum had been $666 mil.

Morro

Malakaiii;14426 said:

It's obscene how much money the church has that they can afford to do that... Yikes.

And I agree, probably not all of the plaintiffs were actually abused. But I'm glad that the court system recognizes how extreme child abuse is, and what it can do to a person longterm...

It's easy to get that money. All you have to do is threaten people until they give you a higher precentage of their paycheque than the government takes via taxes, then swing it so YOU don't pay any taxes. Granted, a lot of money goes into awesome hats. But still.

gawdawaful

Morro;14436 said:

It's easy to get that money. All you have to do is threaten people until they give you a higher precentage of their paycheque than the government takes via taxes, then swing it so YOU don't pay any taxes. Granted, a lot of money goes into awesome hats. But still.

So I take it this is a Catholic Church:angel:

Kevin M.

child abuse is just wronnggg

for it to be happening in churches seems like a paradox...it's the one place nothing bad should be happening yet the worst thing imaginable is happening

siuying

that's a scumbag right there.. it disgusts me how churches, a supposedly benevolent and safe place, would do something like that.. as side from child abuse.. there's also abuse of power.. children come to the church for guidance.. and yet as fatherly figures they go around and abuse this power.. i guess they just temporarily forgot who they were and what their teachings were.. =\ it's definitely a paradox.. and their credibility is going down the drain along with that hefty sum..

IVT

Since its a church...

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

- Matthew 18:6

Malakaiii

Or he'll just get fired and have to molest neighbourhood children instead...

Morro

IMO, any occupation that advertises to take in people regardless of their background, and in fact promise not to ask about that history, then put those people in a position of unquestioned authority over small children, is going to attract pedo's. I am immediately wary of anyone who is willing to give up all sexual activity, in favor of a job that gives them private time with children.

[edit] - I'm wary of any MAN who is willing to give up all sexual activity, in favor of a job that gives them private time with children. ;)

Malakaiii

I volunteer with Girl Guide of Canada, which requires a police record check. While I realize that it cannot prevent these awful people from getting to children, steps like that help to scare away the weirdos...

The other side of this is the children are often taught to be so freaked out about sin and terrified of sexuality that they are the ideal target for perverts. The kid thinks that THEY did something wrong, and their parents are too uptight to speak openly about sex... thereby leaving the child even more confused and alienated... Blargh.

Smartso

That certainly appears to be prudent use of those millions of $'s of the collective average Catholic Joe's regular contributions to the Sunday collection plate.