Exactly. We are not mental for being triggered for our past experiences. We know the feelings of throwing our truth out there, only to have nothing change. And, the cost of our personal peace.

Thank you, for responding, both in words and actions. It isn't my intent to slam the catholic church, it wasn't me who has damaged it, more, I am not eager to slam the faithful followers. What my intent is, is to at the very least begin questioning, and bring awareness to your faith. Thank you Judy for being aware and brave to look.

That is a whole other topic, but yet it does make you consider how you stand in the place you stand? How you can have the free will to do what you want and to worship what you believe in, and to do with your body as you see fit. Then, how to allow all people the same luxury. When you enjoy personal freedom to be the person you are with your morals and values, how can you then want to regulate another's choices? Or, even more, whose choices would you want to be forced to participate in? When we try and have power over another's choice, we have to consider being the one controlled? I never realized the privilege I have lived and how my privilege has been gotten on the backs of those less fortunate. Until we walk in another's shoes, can we really know what we would do? There are many situations that I am uneducated in, or lack the experience of. Sitting from where I sit, I am very naive on so many levels. My strongest life's energy, is to give empowerment to women. I lived having my body controlled by the church. Its morals and values had a stronger voice than my own personal one. Again, it is back to equal power and self empowerment for all. Mostly those of us, who have been less than the power leaders - most often the white male. We need to go for tea and have a good chat! Or, a bike ride!

Effective dialogues will make us question what we believe, how we act and even more, to see the world from a new perspective. Yes, it is thought provoking to wonder what you would do for your child, compared to any child. What I know, is that my mother's faith was not to be questioned, nor did 'anything' or person come before it. I understand how you hold it dear. And, it is not my intention to take anything from you, just to question the leadership of your organization and the way it has become an unsafe place for children.

Thanks for responding. I do hear you. I have written many responses....and all keep circling back to our differences. What I hear what the church means to you. I don't know what I can say, that will have you seeing first the destruction of the lives of the children, before your faith. Can you see how the faith is first, your salvation first, or most precious. Can you see how this sentiment, will be what the abusers rely upon. You won't leave. Thousands are like you. You will stay, for your salvation. Regardless of how many children's lives are ruined. How can you show a child, that they mean more? In other religions, when there was abuse among its members, they too, were unwilling to give up their faith. Regardless of the little children. In fact, many quit talking to me, when it appeared that there may be a choice, where they had to chose their faith or the safety of children. Their own children or grandchildren. I seriously can't seem to get the members inside of the religions, to fully understand, the impact of them continuing on as if nothing happened. And, they all say, it is for their salvation. It is for a heaven one day. They too speak of Jesus, and God. And, meanwhile children are at risk. How can the problem be fixed at the same level it was created at. It is insanity to believe, you can change the religion by not changing it. I know, some said, there are new rules. Really, the folks doing the abusing are not going to adhere to rules. I am not sure the average church member has even begun to investigate the intricacies of child sexual abuse. Who does it, why and how it affects the lives of the child etc. They are very good with their religion and know little or nothing about the ways their religion has used itself to abuse children. Will the faithful members become students in learning about pedophiles, abuse and children at risk? I would love to see the members asking the tough questions instead of focusing on the contents of salvation. Perhaps this goes against your religion to hold it second. I get it. And, so does the child who has been abused. They can see and feel that they matter less. I don't know how to say it differently or see it differently too. What you may have forgotten to remember, is that one time I too was a member of a church, who I felt was my salvation and it knew about abuse, and my father, and it (members) blessed him in the name of their religion. It was their way to heaven. They believed God and Jesus were in there too. How can the children of all these religions become more than the religion? How can their innocence matter more? I am as frustrated as you are faithful.

Yes it is amazing, how we don't even know we have been caught in our own minds! Not until we one day feel trapped and then realize we are the ones holding the key!

I have thought the same thing, to put various women on one quilt. The theme, "Rock your difference" I loved learning about this box I was putting myself in - in going forward and not being able to just do! Group meetings are helpful, instead of staying in your own mind. Beth

I agree, that the people make up the church; without people no church. Many will not want the whole religion to be blamed; but there is a responsibility by all. Those doing the bad behavior, those knowing and doing nothing and those who go along. And, any spiritual leader who knows of this behavior and doesn't do the right thing of reporting the criminal, is not a spiritual leader. I again, know that this is painful when it is the religion you were raised in.

Lois, you can pray and worship outside of the organization that is co-mingling knowingly with pedophiles. When you bring up other organizations, it is to water down the report to make it less. To make it less shocking or horrifying or perhaps normal. It is everywhere. I have heard this before and will continue to hear it. Does it make it right? Are there schools and sports where you know for sure there are abusers and you would still send your son? Are the numbers as high and the reports so vast? Mostly, suggesting it is everywhere, makes it easier to do nothing, for it appears you can't escape it. What if, you and those like you withdrew from the church. Not from God, but for the organization UNTIL they cleaned house? Can you separate your faith from the organization? I am thinking, if your son's hockey program was known for abuse, it would be pretty hard to be a solid fan. Just my thoughts. And, my heart goes out to you. I know what it is like to discover sexual abuse with the confines of a religion.

I thought of you as this news appeared. And, I thought that there are many like you. Who have worshiped in the church with a kind and truthful heart. My heart goes out to you all. Yet what do we do with the good and the bad of the church. Who but the good can stop the bad??? I do not believe that God only lives in church or that it is the only place to play. I also understand how it feels to have your trust in a religion collapse. For me, it took out the middle man and left we finding peace with a God that wasn't within a religion. Like Nature and love and kindness.