St Augustine's Sin: Why child abuse bedevils Christianity

by Joseph P W Baker

Overview

Sex and sin, and clerical child sexual abuse

The 'God Debate' is given a shot in the arm with this new assault on a leading Church Father, St Augustine of Hippo. Vignettes from the author's church school where he faced abuse by Catholic priests, illustrate the work.

He traces the roots of clerical child sexual abuse and suggests the Church's teaching on sex and sin might play a more influential role than has generally been recognised in mainstream social science. Lucid descriptions by a schoolteacher of RE lessons in faith schools today, will stir readers who suppose Christianity is a benign influence to think again.

In 2021 the UK Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published a dossier, revealing that the church remains mired in safeguarding and abuse scandals. Yet nothing in literature explains this deviance credibly. The possible influence of Augustinian ideas on the church's continuing exploitation and neglect of children in its care, is examined in depth here.

This book fills a gap in the shelf, lifting the lid on a story of abuse and indoctrination which continues to this day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781838481643
Publisher:	mike-moloney.com
Publication date:	02/14/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	250
File size:	898 KB

About the Author

Joseph Baker is a secular humanist and entrepreneur. The engineer behind some of London's top security installations, he regularly contributed articles to technical publications throughout a long career. In this illuminating book, his debut on retirement, he has found a provocative new voice.With the Vatican decrying critics of the church as 'Friends of the Devil,' he thought back to his church schooldays. Here, he explores the shadow cast by Augustine's dark ideas. More at: https://joebaker.me.uk

Table of Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgements

Forward by Alastair Lichten

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Wickedness of St Augustine

Chapter 2 - The Dark Imprint from Augustine's Sin of Sexual Lust

Chapter 3 - How Britons are Hard-Wired with Augustinian Guilt

Chapter 4 - The 'Religiosity Gap' in Mental Health Provision

Chapter 5 - Spiritual Well-being and Augustine's Unsound Mores                                                                                      

Chapter 6 - A Personal Study of Punishment, Blessed by St Augustine

Chapter 7 - 'In Persona Christi' The Disgrace of Instant Forgiveness

Chapter 8 - Are We Born Evil? Science and Augustinian Guilt

Chapter 9 - Augustine's Torment Embedded in Western Mores

Chapter 10 - Child Sexual Abuse and the Augustinian Factor

Chapter 11 - Clerical Child Abuse and Augustine's Influence

Chapter 12 - Religious Tolerance, Faith Schools and Sin

Chapter 13 - From Pupil to Teacher - a Journey Out of Shame

Endnotes