Basically, Judaism believes we are all human beings. No human is ever completely free from sin and imperfection. Priests, Rabbis, Imams and all clerics are human beings too, and are capable of sinning. Choosing a clerical career does not automatically heal a personality flaw that can lead to criminal behavior.

In truth, sometimes people are drawn to such careers as a way of trying to conquer these tendencies. Much like the psychologist who grew up in a dysfunctional home seeks to fix their past. People of excessive physical lusts may try to change that by pursuing a spiritual career.

For this reason, it is CRUCIAL that we not confuse religion with some of the people who practice it. Religion, at least the Jewish perception of it, is God's teachings for man to follow. Some follow them better, others with less success or sincerity. The fact that a human being, even a clergy member, fails to observe the rules of his religion does not reflect on the religion itself. It only reflects on the person.

Or at least it should.

Sadly, many people have been alienated from religion because of some of these practitioners. While understandable, it is truly a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. And it's even sadder because there are SO MANY wonderful, sincere, giving clergy members out there. The huge majority, actually.

Because it is so unusual and unexpected for a clergy member to be in grievous violation of the very religion he/she represents, it gets a lot of attention. That creates a bad impression for the religion, and may induce some baby-with-bath-water throwing out.

So it should not surprise us that some in the church would seek to cover up these incidents. Indeed, it does look bad for the church. Similar stories involving rabbis misbehaving were also kept (too) quiet.

While I understand the desire to minimize the PR problems of an errant cleric, the impression sent out by doing that is far worse. It almost looks like the church is OK with this behavior, and is protecting those who do it. While the church should not be running to the press with these stories, they should be immediately acting to protect potential victims from potential pedophiles.

As should every religion's organizational arm. Judaism teaches giving the benefit of the doubt, and not believing every story we are told about someone. At the same time, there must be a process for ascertaining when there really is smoke and when it was simply a frivolous/slanderous accusation. When there is credible evidence, the suspect must immediately be suspended. Let the chips fall where they may, the church must be perceived as taking responsibility.

Another important perspective to bear in mind is the ongoing value of the individual, even though he/she has sinned. Many of these clergyfolk have a lifetime of good works to their name. Their evil deeds do not erase the good ones, just as the good ones do not excuse the evil ones. It's a difficult balance to make, when one is justifiably outraged, but it is the very balance that God wants us to hold.

As long as a person has life, they can repent and be forgiven. The exception to this rule is the one who causes others to sin. Why so? Say the sages, "So the teacher will not be in Heaven while the students are in Purgatory." When a clergyman falsifies the RELIGION to justify such behavior, like the cultists who preach free immorality, they are in serious spiritual trouble. Unless they can undo all the damage they caused by their false teachings, they will be unable to repent.

Similarly, those who abused their position in order to sin are in greater spiritual trouble. Having someone submit physically by telling them it is a religious duty is a despicable falsification. Far better are those who don't drag their religion into the picture, for they have the integrity that may yet cause them to repent and be better. The others will, in all likelihood, never change.

And this message goes out to all religions. Protect your innocent, your young folk, even if it means public embarrassment. Hushing up a problem never causes it to go away. And when someone has sinned, keep them from harming others, and require them to do what they can to make amends, repent and heal.