NP - A Modest Proposal

[David Morris]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-000021793mar26.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Dcomment%2Dopinions

A Modest Proposal to Temper Temptation
By JAMES P. PINKERTON

Part of the problem with priestly pedophilia, says Vatican spokesman 
Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, is the current "environment of 
pansexuality."

Now there's a word to look up. According to Merriam-Webster, it means 
"exhibiting or implying many forms of sexual expression." That sounds like a 
pretty good description of today's culture. Of course, "society made me do 
it" is not an excuse for having sex with children.

But if even the Catholic Church--which normally prides itself on fidelity to 
time-honored values--is searching for new explanations for its sexual 
problems, then maybe it's time to look to an old solution.

[...]

Indeed, Christianity represented a backlash against pagan pansexuality. 
Jesus lived a celibate life, and he was born of a virgin mother. As he 
preaches in Luke, there is no marriage in heaven. And since the early 
Christians, notably St. Paul, believed that the second coming of Christ was 
nigh, celibacy was much praised all through the New Testament.

[...]

The notion that higher orders of people would be celibate is a consistent 
theme through most philosophies. As Aristotle said, we most admire that 
which is hard to do.

Yet to be admirable, celibacy must be sustainable. And yet if pansexuality 
is so rampant that even Catholic priests are led into temptation, then 
something has to change.

So here's a modest proposal. Bring back the one tried-and-true guarantee of 
celibacy: castration.

The practice was once common--and not just for harem-keepers and 
choirboys--because it reliably helped men focus on their mission, whatever 
that might be.

Today, modern medicine offers castration through chemistry, and that 
condition, unlike surgery, is reversible.

While the modern mind might find even voluntary, temporary castration to be 
repulsive, surely pedophilia is more repulsive. And if, as Cardinal 
Castrillon said, we live in a pansexual world in which the erotic is 
expressed in everything, then perhaps those wondering how to safeguard 
children might look to the wisdom of the ages for an answer.

One thing is for sure: Given the immensity of this scandal, mere assurances 
that the old "honor system" of celibacy can be made to work again will not 
be acceptable. If the church wishes to regain its position of trust, it 
might consider what it is willing to give up.





_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com