Episode 65 Scandal

The Catholic child abuse scandal which began decades ago in the United States has now gone international. In the past few months hundreds of accusations have been made in Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. Alarming new evidence suggests Pope Benedict himself ignored, refused to discipline and even approved the transfer of known pedophiles in the Church. Defenders of the Church claim the anti-catholic media is conducting a smear campaign. Abuse is no greater in the Catholic Church than any similar institution and Benedict, they say, has been at the forefront of efforts to reform church laws and prevent abuse. Join us as we counter these claims by reviewing available research on child abuse, the history of the scandal, and the details of Ratzingers own involvement.

To download this or any previous Reasonable Doubts episodes click here. Find the episode you want and right click the "play now" link and select "save target as..."

News Links:

Scandal spreads throughout Europe, Netherlands 200+ victims, Germany 250+

Gay prostitution in Vatican

Cardinal Brady conceals abuse of Father Brendan Smyth

Scandal in Munich Archdiocese tied to Ratzinger, Hitchens describes Hullermann's crime, Details of Hullermann case and memo

Cardinal Law helped elect Ratzinger to position of Pope

Vatican claims Ratzinger had no knowledge, Gruber cannot remember or rule out talking to Ratzinger

Ratzinger more concerned with doctrine/attacked theological opponents in church

Father Murphy case

Stats on American victims from John Jay College

Quinn: Church law requires defrocking of abusers/media has anti-catholic prejudice

Archbishop Vincent Nichols defends Pope's record on pedophilia

Secret letter to bishops

Friend of John Paul, Marcial Maciel covered up by Ratzinger/more on secret letter/Ratzinger slaps reporter (just on wrist, sorry for forgetting that detail)

18 states require all to report abuse/10 states require clergy to report/7 of those 10 have exemption for "clergy-penitent privilege"

Bill Donohue says "so what?"/"powerful therapy industry" comment

Chief exorcist says devil in Vatican

Pope blames secular liberalism for influencing clergy

"so called sexual liberation" blamed in part

European nations defendants cannot sue church for negligence

Milwaukee Archdiocese testifies against Wisconsin bill that extends statute of limitations

Oregon and Kentucky lawsuits target Vatican

Peter Isely news conference in St. Peters Square

National Catholic Reporter's "Credibility Gap" editorial

Other research cited in episode

Bottoms, Shaver, Goodman & Qin (1995). In the name of God: A profile of religion-related child abuse. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 85-111

Chibnal, Wolf & Dukro (1998). A national survey of the sexual trauma experiences of Catholic nuns. Review of Religious Research, 40, 142-167

Fones, Levine, Althof, Risen (1999). The sexual struggles of 23 clergyman: A follow-up study. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 25, 183-195

Greeley, A.M. (1993). How serious is the problem of sexual abuse by clergy? America, 168, 20-27

Schaffer, M.D. (1990, August 15). Sex a special challenge for many clergy members. The Denver Post, p.6B

Sipe, A.W.R (1990). A secret world: Sexuality and the search for celibacy. New York: Brunner/Mazel

Sipe, A.W.R. (1995). Sex, priests, and power: Anatomy of a crisis. New York: Brunner/Mazel

Episode 64 Rewriting History

For years the religious right has argued, in clear contradiction of our secular constitution, that the founders intended America to be a Christian Nation. Tired of fighting against history, the Texas Board of Education has decided to simply rewrite it. Topping their list of inconvenient facts that need to be removed from the history books is Thomas Jefferson and the enlightenment roots of his thought. Unfortunately Texas sets the tone for textbooks nationwide. But could secularists be just as guilty of rewriting history? David Bentley Hart thinks so. His book Atheist Delusions: the Christian Revolution and it's Fashionable Enemies, is the subject of this weeks Counter-Apologetics segment.

To download this or any previous Reasonable Doubts episodes click here. Find the episode you want and right click the "play now" link and select "save target as..."

Episode 63 Zeitgeist Debunked with guest Tim Callahan

Since its release in 2007 the internet film Zeitgeist has been seen by 50 million people around the world. The film attacks the foundations of Christianity by claiming that the historical Jesus never existed. Jesus was originally a solar deity, whose story closely parallels several other pagan gods. The story of Jesus life is best understood as an astrological analogy. When the first Council of Nicaea met in 325 under the direction of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the Christ myth was rewritten as if it were real historical fact. While some of the ideas in the Zeitgeist film are based in fact, others are pure fiction. Tim Callahan, religion editor for Skeptic Magazine, joins us on the show to share his critique of the film

To download this or any previous Reasonable Doubts episodes click here. Find the episode you want and right click the "play now" link and select "save target as..."

For 10 extra minutes of deleted scenes from Episode 63, click here.