06/27/2008
The Southern Center for Human Rights filed a motion in U.S. District Court this week to strike down a Georgia provision that forbids sex offenders from volunteering in churches.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the motion argues based on the grounds that the law “criminalizes fundamental religious activity.” Things sex offenders cannot do include singing in church choirs or cooking in church kitchens. The provision, though it’s been approved by the state legislature and governor, will not become law until July 1, or Tuesday of next week.
Sarah Geraghty, lawyer for the human rights group, concedes to reporters that it’s inappropriate for most sex offenders from having contact with children. But, she argues, that shouldn’t preclude them from adult-only activities, and it shouldn’t keep them away from the rehabilitative services that churches can offer.
The provision has a very punitive component, as well. Any convicted sex offender caught working or volunteering at a church can be sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison.
Georgia Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson supports the provision and said that law would not prohibit sex offenders’ right to attend worship services. It would, however, limit their ability to get heavily involved with a church.
Jackie Taylor, communications director for Cascade Hills Church in Columbus, Ga., said that her church welcomes sex offenders to church but absolutely keeps them away from where children are likely to be, which is on a different floor of their building from the sanctuary. Anyone who wants to work with children has to submit to a background check. However, as far as to whether or not sex offenders can be active as volunteers in adult-only ministries, Taylor says the church doesn’t have an explicit policy.
“We tend to err on the side of grace, but we definitely don’t want to endanger anyone,” she said. She added that all of the church’s ministries are handled through pastoral care and that counselors screen volunteers to make sure they are safe.
The debate is the latest in a string of litigation in Georgia following the state’s 2006 law that laid down firm restrictions on where sex offenders could work and live. In 2007, the Georgia Supreme Court struck down a law that prohibited registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of “places where children congregate” because the wording was too vague and broad.
Churches that are faced with a sex-offender dilemma might consider consulting lawyers and law enforcement about the laws in that state and could also seek more input and advice from church leaders who have dealt with these problems before.
http://www.churchsolutionsmag.com/ho...w-georgia.html
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