Good Old Jesse

[thinwhiteduke]

In light of Jesse Jackson's recent comments about Barack Obama I was wondering how you all felt about holding religious leaders to a higher moral standard

Comments

[shalanar]

I agree, not specifically because they are a priest/pastor/whatnot, but because they are an authority figure. Anyone in a recognized position of authority, who abuses that authority (and usually uses that authority to commit the abuse) is far worse, in my mind, than the average person who commits the same act. The violation of the trust given, by society as a whole, to those in a position of authority, is what makes it worse.

Just my $.02...

[sybbis]

I definitely agree with this. I don't think I specifically hold *religious* leaders to a higher moral standard; I think it applies to all leaders.

[iisz]

I think it is a mistake to treat leaders as if they should follow a higher code because it often sets up and expectation that they are more moral than the rest of us. Further, it makes us focus on lots of shit that is stupid, like Clinton and his philandering. Who cares what he does with his penis? That's between him, his wife, and his local STD clinic.

[sybbis]

Well, the trouble is that it's not really about the sexual element, in that case--and mind that I generally thought he was a good president--but the ethical element: If he would lie about one thing, would he lie about others? If someone will do something hurtful to their family, will they think twice before hurting strangers? With a person in some kind of power, their willingness to mislead or hurt people matters a lot more than if it's just your neighbor the Walmart greeter

[seiberwing]

A layman usually only holds power over him/herself, or a small group. A random holy man not only holds power over a larger congregation but functions as a connection between them and a higher power, guiding both their spirituality and possibly how they live their lives.

I think when someone like that violates the trust people put in him/her it's seen as a far bigger betrayal.

[chaeri]

i think so. they are telling other people how to live by a certain moral standard. they sure better do their best to live up to that standard. lying once in a while by answering 'fine' when they are not, or something else trivial won't bother me. but, molesting a child is so far over the line that the line appears to be a dot. they KNEW it was wrong. the very second they had any sort of thought they should ahve been on their way to the therapist's begging to be cured.

[virtual_anima]

The fact that they're usually preaching about morality makes me say yes. Its more the fact that it makes them total hypocrites if they preach like this then go commit debauchery.

You can't go demand people do things if you're not willing to yourself.

[doctoreon]

This.

[eggsnail]

I definitely think that they should be. When a group of people subscribes themselves to a system of belief that requires they always take the moral high ground, and when they hold power over other groups of like-minded people, it's much more of a betrayal when they do something morally reprehensible.

And Jesse Jackson's just kind of a douche. I ain't no Shaman, but I'd like to cut his balls off.

[captain_brad]

You're not a shaman?? I want my money back.

[eggsnail]

I might have to just give you the hookers and beer.

[captain_brad]

mmmmmm