1. given what those poor kids went through, why is the recent priest scandal such a source of hilarity for people?

2. why is it acceptable to openly mock these kids and/or whatever happened to them when you would be skinned alive for doing the same to say, a woman that was raped? (i don't think that is acceptable either - it's merely for comparison's sake)

Answers take 1

1. Lack of understanding of the gravity of what went on. Insensativity and ignorance.

2. Same double standard that has been around for a very long time, nauseating huh? One of the tests i like best for determining if something is wrong or not is to switch the sexes, or the ages,, just to see how it sounds, or imagine it is my son or daughter...

Answers take 2

1. I dont see anything funny about it at all. I refuse to even let people tell me jokes that have anything to do with abuse.

2. It is not acceptable to me, and i speak up every time i here something like that mentioned.

I dont defend the jokes people tell about any tragedy, big or small. Like John & d503 I sometimes react badly, I have been known to turn on people.

But people do turn to humour when something outside their normal lives affects them, how long did it take for 9/11 jokes and Osama gags to surface. It wasn't days, it was hours.
I suppose it's another part of understanding the incomprehensible.

Personally I do have a certain black humour about abuse and sexual problems. But it's a fine line between offense and genuine humorous observation.
And depending on the way I feel that day the line can move drastically.

Lloydy

it would not be so funny if these stand up comics had been on the receiving end of Father's blessings....

I think people use humour to try and overcome the pain and confusion they feel when they dont know what to do about it. It can be extremely insensitive, but usually it is not directed at any one in particular, people just want to laugh because it is better than crying. If it isnt meant to hurt you and isnt from someone you know, then remember it is your choice whether to listen to it or not. You probably can not deny that at some point in your life you have laughed at inappropriate humour. But if it is directed at you, or you are not comfortable with it, then dont hang around if you hear something like that. But in the end it is meant to bring people closer together and ease the seriousness and pain in everybodies life, and i dont think it is meant to hurt anyone.

I can see your point of view. In most cases these jokes are meant to ease a person's mind and not cause pain. But if it seems to cross that line with me I speak out. I ask the person making the joke how they would feel if it were them being 10 or 15 years old and held down and raped or made into a sex slave and abused for several years. I ask how they would react if they were made to believe they could never be a member of society because they were worthless.
And if I see these jokes on television, I shut the damn thing off!!! And as people know if I see these jokes happen in our chat room I ask the person to stop or leave.

George