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Abuse lawsuit alleges widespread problems with Mormons, Boy Scouts

Perhaps it ISN'T as all bad as the motuhpiece is claiming, after all, he IS trying to make a buck or two for himself as well. Rivaling that Catholic Church "issues"? Not hardly, Mr. Clark, you're a financial opportunist, trying the case on the backs of your "clients".Perhaps giving them another dose of what Dykes gave them? Yes, of course, you ARE an attorney after all, it's in your nature, just like Dyke's.

I was a scout leader for many years as well as a primary teacher. I went to many camping outings with other troops as well as being around leaders in my own troop. I never saw these types of thing occur. It does not mean it does not go on, but on the scale of what goes on in the Catholic Church, I highly doubt it. There are pedophiles all over the country and we have to watch out for our children, grandchildren and our neighbors children as well. Poeple need to educate their children to speak out when someone tries to touch them or harm them. Never, and I mean never should an adult leader be in the same tent, camper, trailer alone unless it is the father of that boy. Leaders are taught through the BSA and the LDS church to always have two leaders on activities and trips. If only one leader was available, then the activity or trip should not have taken place. If the proper safegards had been followed in Oregon and recently in the Diamond Fork swimming incident, we would not be reading about these stories in the media. Our children are the future.

I remember when this first case was tried and laughing at the verdict. The major difference lies in that the LDS church does not employ their teachers as the Catholic church does. The responsibility is far less, HOWEVER, were it to be a Bishop I could agree with this attorney but a sunday school teacher is not even remotely the same. Additionally this all just smacks of opportunism. I love those who seek damages who seek damages to make their life better. They claim the BSA and LDS church need to fix these problems yet I am failing to see how personal accumulation of wealth accomplishes this. Try this in civil court if that is what you are seeking. All of that being said what these men allegedly suffered is terrible and definitely could affect their entire lives. Having similar things occur in my family I definitely have sympathy for them, however I don't see how money will make things all better. Gettin Dykes locked up would make things better for others, mandating the LDS church and BSA implement sticker screening methods would help others, reaping millions as an attorney and a victim... I guess it helps the economy?

If Mr. Clark is doing this for free, I would believe that he is interested in making the world a better place, but I suspect that he is only in it for personal gain.

One can never take too many precautions where children are concerned. It is too bad that Dykes somehow slipped thru the cracks to commit crimes against our young. I hope he gets what is coming to him, and I sure wouldn't want to be in his shoes when judgement time comes. Once a predator, always a predator !!!

If guilty as it sounds he is, Dykes should go to jail for a LONG time. He's scum, and it's mindboggling that he slipped through the cracks and was able to abuse these boys.

That said, Clark is a self-serving buffoon. To compare the serial abuse and light handling of known Catholic priest predators (moving them from parish to parish after some counseling, allowing them to continue to work with youth without alerting the new parish) is so much crap.

There is no comparison whatsoever. In the LDS Church you would be excommunicated for sexual abuse of a child or anyone else. You wouldn't even be a Mormon any more--much less retain your calling and be moved to another locale to continue abusing. Totally bogus!

The Catholic Church has paid out probably a billion dollars by now and habitually acted in a way that protected abusing priests. In the past, psychologists thought you could counsel those leanings out of abusers. Now we know there is just about no help. Recidivism in this realm is high as the sky. Pity those kids, punish abusers, but don't put this on the Mormons. No way are the two situations comparable.

It is very interesting and sad to see people who are trying to make a buck on an organization that teaches against what they are being sued for. As if the LDS church is responsible for every bad thing one of thier "memebers" does. The person responsible for this is Mr. Dykes, not the LDS church who adamantly teaches against any form of child abuse. This is almost as absurd as suing a company for someone who was associated with it at some time for something they did in thier life. Mr. Dykes is the one responsible for his actions, the LDS church can't force him to be a good man that is his personal choice.

It could be that all of these pedophiles were... actually trying to hide their addictions, ya know, keep other people from knowing what they did. Amazing concept. I love how transparent these cases are when they don't go after the people that actually committed the crime, just after any deep pockets they can sneak their hand into. Why aren't these molesters in jail, paying for their crimes?

The ACLU is also probably supporting these lawsuits as part of their diabolical agenda.

Interesting that on the article about loosening liquor laws, everyone is screaming about the evil of alcohol. Hmm....on the article about little boys being molested and the church covering it up, WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? It seems to me that the LDS church needs to teach their members some priorities.

Having been a scout leader in LDS units for several years, I want to say that the Boy Scouts of America has developed one of the most effective Youth Protection programs I have ever seen anywhere. It includes their award-winning, age-appropriate videos, the Guide to Youth Protection for Parent booklets inside each boy's scout handbook, clear and specific policies (such as the "two-deep" leadership for all scout activities), background checks for all registered leaders, mandatory Youth Protection leader training, and the list goes on.

I have also seen first hand the immense amount of diligence that goes into training church leaders and scout leaders on BSA and LDS Youth Protection policies.

My heart goes out to those individuals who do get abused because a predator somehow falls through the cracks. My experience, however, tells me that the cracks in the BSA/LDS safety net are few and far between, and once they are discovered, it gets corrected immediately.

I'm grateful that my children have the opportunity to participate in such an excellent program that not only helps them reach their full potential, but does everything possible to help keep them safe.

I have a hard time beliving the LDS church knew all about these perverts and just told them to have fun. Knowing their stand on sexual perversion and child abuse, this just doesn't sound credible to me.

I know there are those out there who would do or say anything to hurt the Boy Scout program or the LDS church (especially if they could get rich by going it). That scenario is more believable to me.

BTW
What does the LDS church's financial records have to do with a sex abuse case? Either they are guilty or not based on the evidence (not their finances). The judgement should not be based on their financial resources.

If he is guilty, then he needs to be in jail. I do know of a man, who was an LDS scoutleader in the late 70's, early 80's, who is serving time for a very very long time for molesting boys on one of the scout trips. And these "boys" are now in their 40's as well. I think it was more like "don't ask, don't tell" type thing back then. I don't think we will ever know in this life time of how many children have been abused over the years. I feel the LDS church is doing a better job at making sure kids stay safe, but as the church allows more and more people in...or baptizes more and more people, we are going to get a variety of members. One man in my ward now raped a 5 yr old girl when he was a teenager! RAPED! He was only in "jail" until he was 18, and then released. He still on the records, and still comes occasionally. Makes me sick whenever he shows up at church! I shouldn't judge, but...

25 Million is so excessive. This sounds like some people are seeking to get more then they truly and honestly deserve.

I do acknowledge that abuse is a terrible thing and there is really no $ amount that can take away that pain. But that having been said I think 25 Million REEKS of OPPURTUNISM!

Where does this greedy lawyer think this money comes from? Well, it comes mainly from hard working middle class church member who pay tithes and offerings. And since the LDS Church has very little paid professional overhead, this money would be better spent supporting the mission of the Church which is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping those in need. No wonder most people despise these kind of lawyers.

I am in my 50's and sadly when I was growing up society at large ignored pedophiles. The scoutmaster in my ward was well known for taking nudie pictures of boys at camp. As kids we were grossed out by it, but really didn't know we were supposed to report it. I am female and was warned by older girls in the ward who the "dirty old men" were. My cousin was molested by his LDS scoutmaster in Japan. To blame the Church is ridiculous. It is society's problem. I am personally offended when they refer to older Americans as the "greatest generation". They were the ones who perpetrated these awful crimes or chose to look the other way while knowing it was going on. I reported an incident to my mother and she just laughed at me. In this day Church leaders are diligent at dealing with the problem. In Northern California an LDS bishop was instrumental in helping to bust a pedophile ring when he reported the activities of one of his ward members who had confessed to him. Bishop's are taught that confidentiality doesn't apply in cases of abuse.

My first thought is that the LDS church is not liable for this; the abusers are. I agree that this is a total contrast to the Catholic Church. They were liable because they allowed the abuse to continue by looking the other way. In addition, I think it's important to remember that there abusers in every religion, every race, every state, city and neighborhood. A church, an organization like BSA, etc. can only do so much. Ultimately, we as parents have to oversee the places and the activities our children are involved in and protect them as best we can.

The abusers should be put in jail and a civil suit, I believe, is not to make the abused feel better, but more to hurt the abuser where it counts, in the pocketbook.

There are probably many out there who have gotten away with their dirty deed. Hopefully, this helps open the eyes of other groups that will work harder to screen their people.

My scout leader is in jail for the same reason...did I sue the church or the boy scouts....no....and there are many of us that were just as abused. It is not the organizations fault....they all need to move on with life and quit trying to make an easy buck. I am sure they are hoping the Church will pay something out to quiet this down.

I grew up in Scouting in the 1970's. I served for many years as a scout leader and scoutmaster in the 1990's. In all that time I have not seen a whiff of abuse of children. I have seen dedicated men and women freely giving time and money to help youth grow and develop and learn. I have seen many young boys and girls benefit in countless ways from involvement in scouting. I have personally participated in intensive, recurring training given to all scout leaders to help prevent abuse, and to protect youth. I have seen a culture of zero tolerance of any kind of abuse. None of the many individuals I have worked with would ever condone or allow abuse to knowingly continue in the slightest degree. The LDS Church believes fervently in a sacred obligation to protect children. Abusers are indeed disciplined severely. I am skeptical of thse who deliberately mischaracterize good organizations in pursuit of personal gain. Perhaps the lawyers involved should give any money they collect to charitable programs to help victims of abuse and to prevent abuse from occuring.

You should all read an interesting article about Clark and his background. Taking 1/3 of settlements and winnings is a lot of money especially on 25 million. He is definitely not doing this pro bono. If you want to read the article googl �strange bedfellow clark� and it will be the story on Willamette Week. He�s apparently been in trouble himself in the past for somewhat similar crimes he is currently defending. If the church is culpable they should be held accountable but church administrators can train and teach all they want but ultimately people do stupid things.