Y'all religious countries need catharsis.
This is not just an empty slogan.
I may a little bit derail from this main idea of "RCC evil contribution to the world" but want to point out how important it is for politicians to have such instituion on your side and what is behind that.
Since the fall of the iron curtain - which happened around my 7th birthday - there has been no real fear among my countryman to speak freely. I have had a great childhood with no real problems but later i learned it wasn't easy time for my and many other families. Catholic church exploited this situation perfectly, as they played a mediator role and strongly opposed communism (which already was on the retreat mostly because of the "working class" determination). They comforted people, organized food for the poor and vacation events for the youngest. People came back to churches as they considered those priests saviours and protectors. RCC grew in strenght and people who backed them up once still live, vote and are very much afraid of any upcoming changes. They are full of fear to what is new and unknown and our current governmet feed them regularily with "EU will take their children from them / demoralize the society", etc.
Long story short - It all started so innocently, when after won elections, far right rulling party announced extra social money program for everybody who has got children no matter the parents status. It is time "That Poland will rise from its knees" - they said. See similarities with "being great again" ? Guess who stood next to the party and agitated on every Sunday, even breaking the law in the very same day you go to vote...
The outcome is as we all know - quite a umber of "righteous" legislations that polsih government has passed since 2015 is thrilling. Amongst them:
- National Media Concept (generally propaganda driven national media, time travel to 70's as some people say),
-
Complete abortion ban ("lethal genes spotted ? God will take care of that", "you were raped ? - life in you is saint", "will we help you ? - hell no, the very momment you give birth is the last we see each other", "deppresed ? - take some pills". All made to please the exact RCC who supporte them and steer crowds and spread fear - no other motives),
- Government influences over national court, Judges political nomination from the ministry is now allowed, Undermining of judges' independence
- No work on Sundays (go to church, spent time with your family they say),
- Rewriting history on its full (just from modern history - all the people who were faces of Solidarity movement in late 80", uncomfortable to the rulers are traitors in modern books),
- LGBT free zones (****ty eastern cities implement signs with a message: LGBT is not welcome here, and later lie about it to just get subventions from EU),
- Police brutality legitimized - (young woman clubbed on the peaceful demonstration, police do not react when other young nationalists do the same), Nationalist/facist movement legitimization,
- Recently - extra tax for "free media" ("why do you whine?, same tax is everywhere in the world", it does not apply for national media though, most of those independent papers and stations will not survive, if they are gone there will be nobody to publish pedophile scandals within the RCC - and those were recently revealed),
- Their recent legislatives are in preparation but we know they are called literally "New Polish Order" - sounds like a bad joke or a cult...
- Many other...
- Finnaly - Church - it will never be possible without them, they are untouchables (Pedophiles protected by officials - not punished, even receive promotions within the RCC (recently published examples), they do not pay a signle tax in Poland, are independent in so many ways, can buy land on preffered conditions avoiding many umpleasantries (paperwork, etc.), when it comes to crime law - they are heavily protected, they do whatever they like, only because there are still free media in Poland - their crimes are constantly revealed),
Why it all happend in XXI century ? Because we didn't care enough. Non existing oposition didn't have anything to offer and for the second time... 3 years ago 35% of the society has decided next 4 years for all of us. Just 22'ish % of the young people (18-26 y.o.) decided to vote !
I never imagined i will ever experience this in my life. But i did and i am terrified.
We all need catharsis. Learn from Poland's mistakes.
P.S. Good for you America ! I know this is not that simple as i may think but for this one choice - you did right.