Did you ever pay attention to the millions of children who have been exposed to routine sexual exploitation by leaders of religious institutions? An independent report published earlier this month tells us that at least 300,000 children have been sexually abused just in the Catholic Church, just in France. These scoundrels and perverts were born and nurtured in an institution that does not allow its adult priests to get married. But not just there. Even where marriage is allowed. Tantriks and jyotishis want access to a child’s or a young woman’s body to make their mantras work. But not just there. In Madrasas, in institutions where children are enrolled to learn about religion and where parents believe they are in the safe hands of the religious leaders. But not just there. Ask the Dalai Lama what he knows about what happens in his institutions. And what he did about that. But not just there. Everywhere where children are entrusted to the unsupervised care of adults by gullible parents. Because somehow religious leaders are considered upholders of virtue and guardians of morality. This, despite the evidence of history re what organized religion and its leaders have done to humanity. Even the police and the lawmakers do not do enough. There are some honorable exceptions as a result of which we come to know of great wrongs. Some counties have responded honorably and responsibly. But what about in your country? In our country? If we adults do not care for the innocent and the vulnerable who else will? My friends and colleagues in the National Secular Society, the French Freethinkers, and of course the International Humanist and Ethical Union (now Humanists International) of which I was Director when the matter of the Vatican was raised at the UN Human Rights Council, continue to raise the matter. All of us should. – Babu Gogineni