Should Priests be required to report child abuse exposed during cofessions?

[neurosis]

Curious about how people feel about this.

To me, this is a no-brainer. If someone abuses a child, it should be reported, and you shouldn't be able to hide behind the church or your religion.

The USDOJ is suing Washington State for passing a law requiring clergy to report any type of child abuse that is exposed during confessions. The argument is that it's a violation of first amendment rights "protections of religious expression" which, to me, is absurd.

According to current DOJ, having to report child abuse exposed during confession, is "anti-catholic".

https://komonews.com/news/local/justice-department-sues-washington-state-over-clergy-reporting-law-seattle-christian-christianity-child-sex-abuse-mandatory-reporter-controversey-religion-community-children-debate-constitution-state-faith-america

" A new Washington state law is facing a legal challenge from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has labeled the child abuse mandatory reporting legislation as "anti-Catholic." "

It's not very often that Washington State passes a law that I agree with. I agree with this one.

[Newbeeee™]

Levels of child abuse of course - smacking a child, beating a child are obviously 2x different levels and very different to sexual abuse.
The latter, is the woodchipper, feet first.
Or in case of powercut backup, then a vat of acid will do the job, slowly lowered feet first.

Seen this?
https://www.fox9.com/news/babies-dead-septic-tank-ireland-nuns
 

[beej]

Curious about how people feel about this.

To me, this is a no-brainer. If someone abuses a child, it should be reported, and you shouldn't be able to hide behind the church or your religion.

The USDOJ is suing Washington State for passing a law requiring clergy to report any type of child abuse that is exposed during confessions. The argument is that it's a violation of first amendment rights "protections of religious expression" which, to me, is absurd.

According to current DOJ, having to report child abuse exposed during confession, is "anti-catholic".

https://komonews.com/news/local/justice-department-sues-washington-state-over-clergy-reporting-law-seattle-christian-christianity-child-sex-abuse-mandatory-reporter-controversey-religion-community-children-debate-constitution-state-faith-america

" A new Washington state law is facing a legal challenge from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has labeled the child abuse mandatory reporting legislation as "anti-Catholic." "

It's not very often that Washington State passes a law that I agree with. I agree with this one.

does the law require defense attorney's to report? If not, why are they changing the law for Catholic Clergy, but not for defense attorneys?

[neurosis]

does the law require defense attorney's to report? If not, why are they changing the law for Catholic Clergy, but not for defense attorneys?

Is that really a defense? 

Psychiatrists are obligated to report child abuse. Why do priests get a free pass? Why have they ever been given a free pass?

[beej]

Is that really a defense? 

Psychiatrists are obligated to report child abuse. Why do priests get a free pass? Why have they ever been given a free pass?

you didn't answer the question? why isn't a defense attorney require to report. that would be the surest way of getting an abuser to prison.

[neurosis]

you didn't answer the question? why isn't a defense attorney require to report. that would be the surest way of getting an abuser to prison.

Because it's nothing more than a deflection from what I asked.  Do you think that priests should get a free pass on this? Answer that, and I'll answer your question. And I promise not to answer a question with a question or a deflection.

[beej]

Because it's nothing more than a deflection from what I asked.  Do you think that priests should get a free pass on this? Answer that, and I'll answer your question. And I promise not to answer a question with a question or a deflection.

I'm not deflecting I'm making a secular case for the fact that it could be necessary in some situations, and I'm making a secular case because I know that you would respond negatively to any faith based case for it.

[Newbeeee™]

you didn't answer the question? why isn't a defense attorney require to report. that would be the surest way of getting an abuser to prison.

Very good point beej - although OJ and Epstein don't want you to discuss with Dershowitz....

[Newbeeee™]

Because it's nothing more than a deflection from what I asked.  Do you think that priests should get a free pass on this? Answer that, and I'll answer your question. And I promise not to answer a question with a question or a deflection.

WTF - are we playing tennis now

[beej]

Very good point beej - although OJ and Epstein don't want you to discuss with Dershowitz....

they are both dead now and in a far worse prison than any prison they would have been in here.

[Newbeeee™]

they are both dead now and in a far worse prison than any prison they would have been in here.

Epstein....you sure I know Kash said he'd seen the tapes that they already said didn't exist yada yada

[rdshear]

I think there would need to be an absolute definition of "Abuse".  Some people would consider a smack on the hind side abuse, others a belt to the back side, or a paddle, or a switch...  All of which were done to me at various stages of growing up.  Do I feel like I was abused?... No not at all.  I was a stubborn boy and my dad helped me know my pecking order.  Now in cases of bruises or broken bones, that I would consider that to be a different story altogether.

[neurosis]

I'm not deflecting I'm making a secular case for the fact that it could be necessary in some situations, and I'm making a secular case because I know that you would respond negatively to any faith based case for it.

I don't care if it's secular or not. I don't see any case where it's necessary that someone protect a child abuser. Not even in a case of a defense attorney. That's my opinion.

And by the way, if a defense attorney knows that there is planned future abuse, they are required to report it. Priests are not.

Our "justice" system isn't set up to find the truth. It's nothing more than a competition.

[Newbeeee™]

Our "justice" system isn't set up to find the truth. It's nothing more than a competition.

All are the same. It's a money making racket if you ever private prosecute - the laws are only there to keep us nailed, if they want to nail us.

[beej]

Do you think that priests should get a free pass on this? Answer that, and I'll answer your question. And I promise not to answer a question with a question or a deflection

I would not call it a free pass, it is one of the biggest burdens that a priest carries. but Yes. I do not think that a priest should be required to report abuse. I'm guessing that you've never be to confession. There are several problems with the reporting law.

1) while on occasion someone might go to confession face to face, confessionals are designed to be anonymous, meaning the priest can not see the other person's face. There is generally a line outside of a confessional, and if a priest heard someone confess a sin such as abuse, what should he do immediately jump out of the confession and demand ID? At least with a defense attorney, he/she knows who they are talking to.

2) If a person comes to confession and is not fully contrite for their sins, which would include separating yourself from that opportunity to sin again, they will not receive forgiveness. which would make the whole case for them bringing it up in confession pointless.

3) why stop with child abuse, maybe the person is a mafia hit guy, should the priest be required to report. why stop with child sexual abuse, why not be required to report all abuse. Maybe a man is asking forgiveness for sleeping with prostitutes, that might give his a wife an STD, should a priest be required to report to that man's wife?

4) do you believe in a wall of separation between church and state? Is that a impenetrable wall or just guideline for when it's fits in to your world view?