They get bogged down in details, rather than taking a clear stand, I think because they are blinded by the culture, in which "anything goes" unless it's illegal.
It just occurred to me that the behavior of this man would still be sinful ... even if he weren't a priest ... even if the recipient of the smut were not his student ... even if they were the same age ... even if one were a man and the other a woman! In fact, I can't think of any situation in which one person's mailing nude pictures to another wouldn't be sinful; it seems morally parlous even in marriage.
We've become so focussed on the homosexual transgressions that we need to bring back to the forefront, the truth that the only morally-acceptable venue for sexual activity is in a Christian marriage.
I'm sure you can imagine the outraged shrieks of "Taliban!" that would arise if I mentioned this on a more general FR thread ... so maybe it's understandable that the Church spokesmen don't go back to the foundation and say, "This behavior is sinful: no matter who, no matter when, no matter how old, no matter what sex ... this is wrong."
Oh, you have hit the nail SQUARELY on the head! I just thought of the same thing myself, and thought also of the number of nominal Catholics (as well as others) who will be aghast at such a concept. We have sunk so low in regard to sexual morality that I wonder if we will ever again be able to express the truth that any sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful. To our shame (sin and shame...hmmm...), and in our rush to be "accepted," we have allowed the opposition to steal not just the game, but its terminology.
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Agreed. There are those who will not accept any limits at all, particularly those that are prescribed by religion/God. Just try introducing the subject of sin in one of those conversations. It will be met with either laughter, bewilderment, or outrage.
"I'm sure you can imagine the outraged shrieks of "Taliban!" that would arise if I mentioned this on a more general FR thread ... so maybe it's understandable that the Church spokesmen don't go back to the foundation and say, "This behavior is sinful: no matter who, no matter when, no matter how old, no matter what sex ... this is wrong."
So let them shriek.
Being something of an expert on incoming shrieks on this website, I can tell you that it isn't that big of a deal. So what does it matter if someone doesn't like an opinion that I post? Or that I happen to be one of those ______ (insert the expletive of your choice) Democrats?
Lord knows I've had more barbs sent my direction than I can remember. But I'm still here. I'm still posting. And you know, I've found that if you're willing to stand and take the slings and arrows, you'll often be able to shift the thinking a bit.
Your post is an excellent one, BTW.