" Deep In Thought"

Here's a few thought from a book I just read called "The Bishops Man" written by canadian Linden Macintyre. While I really enjoyed the book there were a few especially cool thoughts I enjoyed and I wish to share them with you within the context they were used. The book in general is about sexual abuse of children, specifically within the circles of the Catholic Church. I remind you that it is fiction but based on my beliefs and on my firt hand and second hand experience it is plausible fiction.

Here is the first one which I thought was a very poignant remark and I quote, "Damaged people trust each other. They see the signs of damage where even experts can't." The comment referred specifically to victims of abuse.

The second one references drug use in general and the powerful painkiller and now infamous street drug oxycontin, and I quote, "Anytime you think you've found heaven on earth some bastard comes along to inform you that sorry, it's really hell".

I like books like this that entertain me while making me think at the same time.

As to the topic of this particular novel I also care to add a few of my own thoughts. While I know that there are many damaged people in our world who in turn inflict their own damage on others I do not believe that the way to fix it is by attacking the individual. Yes of course any person needs to be held accountable for their sins but I believe that the real scourge of our society are the organizations that we hand our children over to. I can think of many. Church, school, minor sports, boy scouts/girl guides, the military, foster parent programs etc. My first hand experiences are of course with the Catholic church and the Catholic education system(although the schools have improved immensely) but I tell you that I believe unequivocally that it is a corrupt organization that does little to police itself! I hope that I offend no one with this statement as that is not my intent. It's just that I truly believe that if this organization could ever find the reslove to reinvent itself it could be a powerful moving force in our world, and yet it remains mired in its archaic, self preserving traditions of ceremony, and dare I say celibacy?. That's from my own experience only but I expect others can testify as to the problems that exist in those other organizations I mentioned. And when we turn our children over to these organizations and don't stay invloved who is really responsible? Enough said. Do you know where your children are?

“The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame."---Oscar Wilde

“Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime."---Herbert Ward

“Silence gives consent”---Pope Boniface VIII

love
peter