this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2026
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I honestly believe that at the upper levels of the church, they see the systemic molestation, which has been literally been passed from generation to generation for CENTURIES, as one of their most effective recruiting tools.
Molest enough young boys, and at least a few are going to enjoy it, and decide to stay in the system that brings them pleasure. Maybe they even convince themselves that it's about their piety. Then they grow up to molest more young boys, and some of them join.
After a few centuries, it becomes apparent that something like 20-25% were molestation victims, but they also joined the church. It's not the ideal situation, but it's hard to argue with a recruitment that has proven to be such a success. Not every young man is going to appreciate the joys of a future lifetime of celibacy, it's good to have an alternative attraction.