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The inability of a child to thrive in a Constitutionally protected God based perpetual threat and rape culture is not a fault of the child; however it does become their odious responsibility upon reaching adulthood to resolve the harms done to them. The Christian religion at its core is a toxic mechanism whereby intergenerational trauma is kept alive, active, and deeply embedded in each new generation, as it has done over the past 2,000+ years.
Christmas, a time often associated with joy, generosity, and togetherness, provides an opportunity to examine not only the reason for the season but also the societal structures that use this time to reinforce systemic failings.
PUBLISHED: December 13, 2024 02:44:11 PM UPDATED: No Updates
As December 25 approaches, it is a time for reflection—not merely on traditions and festivities but on the ethical and moral implications of the narratives we perpetuate. Christmas, a time often associated with joy, generosity, and togetherness, provides an opportunity to examine not only the reason for the season but also the societal structures that use this time to reinforce systemic failings. Chief among these failings is the historical and ongoing exploitation of children.
This article explores the multifaceted issues surrounding how historical figures, narratives, and institutions have contributed to this exploitation and examines pathways to empower and protect children from being scapegoats for systemic failings.
The exhortation to "keep Christ in Christmas" serves as a springboard for examining the historical figure of Jesus Christ and his transformation over the centuries. Historians agree that Jesus, a first-century Arab Jew, would have borne little resemblance to the white, blue-eyed figure commonly depicted in Western art and media. Scholars such as Richard Horsley (Jesus and Empire, 2003) have documented how the image of Christ has been reshaped to align with cultural and political agendas.
This reimagining has consequences. By disassociating Christ from his historical and cultural roots, the Christian tradition risks alienating its most vulnerable adherents—those whose lives align more closely with the marginalized figure of the Gospels rather than with the sanitized image of Western Christianity. This detachment also perpetuates a failure to address systemic issues such as racial injustice, gender inequality, and child exploitation.
Despite being central to one of the world’s largest religions, the historical and cultural figure of Jesus has been remarkably silent in addressing the exploitation carried out in his name. From the Crusades to colonial conquests, wars have been waged, and lives have been lost under the guise of religious righteousness. Children have often borne the brunt of this violence, both as victims of war and as casualties of systemic abuse within religious institutions.
The 21st century has seen an increase in the exposure of sexual abuse scandals within religious organizations, particularly the Catholic Church. Investigations such as those conducted by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia (2017) have revealed the extent of harm inflicted upon children. Despite the moral authority attributed to religious figures, institutional responses have often been inadequate, leaving survivors without justice and perpetuating cycles of abuse.
One of the most troubling aspects of the Christian tradition, as it has evolved, is its failure to advocate for the protection of children and women. Across the centuries, religious institutions have consistently prioritized self-preservation over the well-being of their most vulnerable members. For example:
Sexual Abuse Scandals: Reports from organizations like BishopAccountability.org detail how abuse by clergy has been systematically covered up. Survivors have consistently called for accountability and reparation, yet institutions have repeatedly responded with silence or denial.
Gender Inequality: Patriarchal structures within religious hierarchies have marginalized women, often excluding them from leadership roles and failing to protect them from domestic and institutional violence. Feminist theologians such as Rosemary Radford Ruether (Sexism and God-Talk, 1983) have critiqued these structures as antithetical to the teachings of Christ.
Economic Exploitation: Historical practices such as the sale of indulgences and modern-day prosperity theology exploit the poor, often leveraging their faith and hope for a better life.
The silence of religious leaders on these matters raises critical questions about complicity. Why have these institutions—and the figure they claim to follow—not championed the rights of children, the vulnerable, and the oppressed? Why has their silence allowed cycles of abuse and exploitation to persist?
The use of children as scapegoats for societal and institutional failings is a recurring theme in both religious and secular contexts. From child labor during the Industrial Revolution to the grooming and abuse scandals of the modern era, children have been disproportionately affected by adult failings.
Religious narratives that emphasize obedience, sin, and eternal punishment can exacerbate these vulnerabilities. For example, doctrines of original sin often portray children as inherently flawed, creating a foundation for control and subjugation. Such teachings can instill fear rather than nurture empowerment, leaving children susceptible to exploitation.
To counteract this, a new ethical framework is needed—one that prioritizes the well-being, dignity, and autonomy of children. This framework should be grounded in the principles of justice, compassion, and accountability.
Efforts to protect children and restore the moral authority of religious institutions must include:
Accountability and Transparency: Institutions must acknowledge past wrongs and implement robust mechanisms to prevent abuse. Independent oversight bodies, such as those recommended by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in the UK, can play a crucial role.
Education and Empowerment: Religious education should focus on critical thinking, empathy, and justice rather than fear and obedience.
Support for Survivors: Providing adequate resources for survivors of abuse, including counseling and financial restitution, is essential. Advocacy groups such as Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) offer valuable support and resources.
Reclaiming the Narrative: Religious communities can reimagine their traditions to emphasize inclusion, diversity, and the protection of the vulnerable. This includes addressing historical inaccuracies and dismantling harmful doctrines.
As we reflect on the reason for the season, it is imperative to confront the uncomfortable truths about how religious traditions and institutions have failed to protect children. By teachings—compassion, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable—we can begin to build a future where children are no longer scapegoats for adult failings but are instead nurtured, protected, and empowered to thrive.
2023 Findings in Spain found that 0.6% of the population of Spain had been sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests and laity. Up to 50 million alive on any day who have been raped or abused by Catholic clergy &/or Catholic laity
Current world population is 8 billion - 0.6% = 48 million alive today who are likely to have been raped by Catholics globally.
The church protected the perpetrators, not the victims
"This is a matter for the church and I respect the internal judgements of the church. I don't stand outside the church and provide them with public lectures in terms of how they should behave. I've noted carefully what his Holiness has said in the United States. Obviously that was a source of great comfort and healing in the United States. I'm like all Australians very much looking forward to what the Pope has to say here in Australia as well, as I am to my own conversation with the Pope later this morning." Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, 17 July 2008. more
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Wednesday, 22 June 2022 - I may not have this down syntax, word and letter perfect or
with
absolute precision in every aspect; however time and the evidence will show that I am closer to the truth than
any religion has been or will likely be.
Let history be the standard by which that is measured.
Youtube - listen to Commissioner Bob
Atkinson get it wrong - again
The Commissioner informs us that the clergy sexual abuse issue was all over and that it had only been a
small statistical glitch around the year 2000. History shows this to have been a display of absolute ignorance
on the issue ...
Makarrata : a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination. The Uluru Statement from the Heart. See Yours, mine and Australia's children. I acknowledge the Traditional People and their Ownership of Australia.
#FAQyMe #FAQyMeGene trauma informed human rights justice failed institutions UN Convention on Human Rights Rights of the Child and a Bill of Rights for Australia future evidence resilience not providing or representing a secular Australia autodidact Constitutional Reform human rights Living Constitution Constitution Field Guide
Hegemony: The authority, dominance, and influence of one group, nation, or society over another group, nation, or society; typically through cultural, economic, or political means.
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Mother and baby home survivors on redress delay:
'They are playing a game of wait and die'
Consultants
reported more than 520 conflicts of interest during audit of Australian aged care
2024 is the year of Survivor's High Court challenge of the legitimacy of the Catholic Church and its religion on the basis of its primary allegiance and obedience to a foreign state.