Richard Dawkins vs The Pope

In a round-a-bout way this is exactly what Dawkins is trying to point out. Presumably, no one would be alienated by the idea that Joe Blow Off-The-Street should be arrested for covering up child abuse. If you then feel alienated because it is the Pope perhaps you should think about why you feel the Pope should get a free pass. Dawkins is all but daring people to defend the Pope for covering up child abuse.

As with many crimes in our society, the cover-up is usually more damning than the actual crime. In this case we see the church applying pressure to its followers using religious authority. We see religious belief clouding peoples judgements.As an atheist I am more than willing to say that religious people are just as flawed as atheists. I don't view christianity as bad because there are christians who are pedophiles. What I view as bad is the use of threats/pressure from higher ups under the guise of religion. Something to the effect of, "You will ruin the church if you reveal these secrets, and God might not look kindly on this." Or, "If you make the church look bad just imagine all of those souls that will be lost."