>Dragan, sorry for slow reply, but I've been away...
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>Re identification of faults of the Church: what sort of "logic" is it to consider only the faults of an institution or entity, as you invariably do when it comes to religion?

PMFJI John but if an organization presents themselves as the representatives and mouthpiece of God then they have given up the option of claiming human fallability in their actions. If you claim a higher authority, if you claim knowledge of the way and the word of the allmighty, then you must also accept the responsbility of that position.

In a previous post, Message #1031414, you try to excuse the past errors of organized religion by presenting three arguments (1) that certain abuses of power happened a long time ago, (2) saying these were committed at a time when that religion had great power but now they have less and (3) that all insitutions have skeletons in the closet.

The first point is not even worth arguing. Abuses of power and influence by organized religions continue to this day to greater or lesser degrees. And certainly at a more sophisticated and less obvious way. We have just become better at it.

The second point argues that because organized religion has less power now than they had before that they are now somehow better. The fact that their power has been dimished for various reasons is not necesssarily a reflection of how much better the organization itself is. Only that they have less power.

The third point is based on the argument that somehow these abuses of power are excusable because others have also done wrong or abused their powers. That is no excuse - it just furthers the point that organized religion in its various forms has and will no doubt continue to abuse its power.

This is not to say that these organizations have not also done some good in the world. I am not against religion per se. But if one claims to represent God then you have put yourself in a position where you must be above human failings. You must be held to a higher standard than the rest of us. Otherwise you really get to have your cake and eat it - you can commit acts in the name of God and then, when these prove unfavourable, claim innocence because we are only human. Do me a favour.