Terrorism by another name still smells as foul

Terrorism: The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

I think this word has been bandied about so much that the literal definition has been lost. Today it’s all about those scary brown mooslims. The definition above is simple but it is not black and white. There is the cliché that one countries terrorist is another countries freedom fighter. There is domestic terrorism like the Oklahoma City bombing. There is large corporation’s trying to classify any organization that threatens their hegemony with terrorist designation. But I have been thinking a lot about this word and a couple of documentaries I watched recently made me think that the biggest terrorist organization on the planet right now has not nor will it ever be classified as such. Instead it is respected, pandered to, immeasurably wealthy, and impacts the lives of millions across the globe. It is the Catholic Church.

Now, before the flame wars begin let me explain myself. I have nothing against good people who practice this religion, nor do I take issue with religion itself. I don’t practice but I am not an atheist. Some people need and want church in their lives and that is their prerogative unless they attempt to interfere in my life with their beliefs. But, it is with those that have power within this branch of Christianity and who make the decisions that I take issue with. The Catholic Church may have done much good for many over the years but I believe that the atrocity, fear, ignorance, suffering, and death they have wrought far overshadows whatever good work they have done past, present or future. I classify them as a terrorist organization because they fit the definition that heads this article. Let me just share a few examples from their 1000 year reign of terror.

1) Keeping man in ignorance -- Not allowing the common man to have any input in the religion that is supposed to succor them, to do mass with their backs turned, to keep knowledge locked away making priests and nuns the only path to salvation is terror for power. This includes killing scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who may wanted to break away from the stifling of innovation that the church thrived/s on.

2) Indulgences -- Selling forgiveness from God while sowing fear of going to hell without this forgiveness is terror for profit.

3) Inquisition -- Enough about this has been written and the stories of the atrocities committed on millions of people for the most banal of offenses to keep control and accrue power is obvious why this is included.

4) Holy Wars

5) Burnings -- This could fit under the inquisition but it was done for other reasons too.

6) Political and Religious Assassinations -- http://www.cs.unc.edu/~plaisted/estimates.html

7) Child Molestation -- I don't have much more to add on this sad subject.

8) False Imprisonment -- The Magdalene Laundries is one example of this but was not the only one. Many young men and women were also forced into monasteries over the centuries.

9) Book Burnings

10) Pogroms

The men in this church live in unrivaled luxury, both here and abroad, while poverty is rampant all over the world. They keep knowledge that might threaten their power in the world hidden even though it might advance mankind and do untold good. They operate in secrecy and seek to shield its members from taking responsibility for their actions no matter how reprehensible. Their policy against birth control threatens the lives of men, women and children right now. All throughout their history they have used fear and intimidation to further their own ends, so I ask how is that not terrorism? The Church is not as powerful as it once was but wields far too much influence in negative ways still to this day. Just ask all those who were violated by their priests with no redress if this is not so.

This is just something that has hit me within the last week. It’s hard not to believe it after watching Mea Maxima Culpa (priestly molestation of deaf children) or Sex in a Cold Climate (Magdalene laundries) plus knowing the extremely violent history of the Church. In light of the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict, it just seems like a timely subject.

Am I totally off base? I welcome comments from those who would talk me off this ledge and from those would like to join me.