tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post5341909945026487011..comments2024-03-25T21:10:45.516-06:00Comments on hikerrev: hikerrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13386543205127710143noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-88712169377103779992010-04-16T08:37:48.183-06:002010-04-16T08:37:48.183-06:00I couldn't agree more about the strong condemn...I couldn't agree more about the strong condemnation of sexually inappropriate clergy and I do not believe the Catholic church has dealt with it correctly. Of course we would be casting stones if we didn't admit to our own problems.<br /><br />I am still waiting to see how the Lutheran church as a whole as well as Holy Love ultimately handle the Social Statement on Human Sexuality. I think it will be debated on for years.<br /><br />Your comment about the sexualization of society is quite accurate and I saw a story on CNN this morning about padded bikinis for little girls as young as seven. This is just WRONG. Additionally, airbrushed celebrity photos that we stare at in checkout aisles at the store set a standard that is essentially unobtainable and really do contribute to people's self-esteem issues. I would blog more but I have to get to the gym and work on my six pack LOL.Mark Gruenbergnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-57281487711546756932010-04-13T09:58:21.893-06:002010-04-13T09:58:21.893-06:00Yes, Rachel, you're right. The problem of cle...Yes, Rachel, you're right. The problem of clergy sex abuse is absolutely and unfortunately prevalent in every denomination and group. In no way did I mean to imply that we're better than anyone else, or to point fingers accusingly because of behavior. <br /><br />I won't apologize, though, for pointing fingers based on policy, though. As we read carefully through the ELCA social statement on human sexuality, I found that our policies, and our guiding documents, are better than the apparent policies and guiding standards of the roman church. <br /><br />We are absolutely not better than them, or anyone else. But, from what I can see, our policy is better than the evidence I see from the vatican. <br /><br />You're also right that I'm probably pointing a finger at rome simply because the spotlight is on the vatican these days. What was accidentally edited out of my post is that as we were talking about this document the other day, that's where the conversation went. When the ELCA document talked about holding leaders accountable, and used strong language to do so, the folks who were gathered there immediately started talking about rome, because our policy compares favorably to their apparent practice. <br /><br />Thank you, my friend, for calling me to accountability.hikerrevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13386543205127710143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-56960520572391206312010-04-13T08:54:35.409-06:002010-04-13T08:54:35.409-06:00I think its really easy to point at the Roman chur...I think its really easy to point at the Roman church right now, everybody is, and the spotlight is squarely on them. However, this is a problem in ALL churches. <br /><br />And, we are the Body of Christ for crying out loud--what are we doing to help our brothers and sisters in the Body if we just say "we are doing it better than you" even though they fancy this approach themselves (the One true church blah blah blah)--it still doesn't make it right.<br /><br />The first person my mother was ever raped by, yes I said first, was a non-denominational minister. I know many victims from many demoninations and churches. This is not just a Roman problem.<br /><br />Hooray for the ELCA and other churches who are making a strong statement. But lets not point fingers and say we are better than anyone else for doing it. We do it because we care about God's people, creation, and because it is the right thing to do.<br /><br />My additional cents--for what its worth.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930235556546609531noreply@blogger.com