Sex offenders- prison for volunteering in church? - Page 2

James Griffin · #11 07-01-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I do know we have to be on guard even in churches. This is one of the places they are able to intigrate themselves with people to choose their victims. If they have been registered that long with no deviant behavior maybe, but most rapists go a long time without being caught, and you know this. This is not only about child predators, it includes all people that can become victims. I don't think this is the best thought out law though. I do have a problem with not letting them serve in the kitchen, I do have a problem with them being in a choir though. Choir lofts are too close for comfort sometimes.

Food for thought, the MAJORITY of those convicted of committing crimes against children had no prior convictions of such assaults.

Cindy · #12 07-01-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Food for thought, the MAJORITY of those convicted of committing crimes against children had no prior convictions of such assaults.

I understand they have no prior convictions, but many have had just not been caught the first time or two. But that is true for a lot of crimes, not just sex crimes. And then of course we have our revolving door of justice.

SDG · #13 07-01-2008, 06:35 PM

We are reaching epic proportions in creating a culture that does not believe in compassion or restoration .... or even making the punishment fit the crime .....this is reaching critical mass ....

I was accused last week of not being a conservative politically because I stand by the Supreme Court decision to keep precedence and decency by not executing a child rapist that has not also committed murder ...

Yet what is going on here????

The one thing that can get these folks lives together being involved and committed to a local church and now the gov't wants to tell Churches these offenders can't even sing in the choir? It's sheer madness.

This decision from the Georgia legislature shows that we are now seeing the equivalent of India's Untouchables and the leper colonies of biblical times ... of course the reasons for their ostracizing are different but the hate behind it is not ....

As a society we need to check ourselves as to whether we are going to move towards fascism in the name of this hot button issue ...

Look these offenders have committed atrocities and heinous acts ... that repulse and disgust this poster ... but let's get a grip between protecting the lives of the innocent and seeking to dehumanize even the worst among us.

The Church has the answer to this problem and now our hands are tied ....???

Cindy · #14 07-01-2008, 06:44 PM

When you have not been personally touched by these kinds of crimes it is really easy to forgive and forget I guess. Or if it has not happened to your children or close family members. If not it is easier said than done. And lets not forget the families of the criminals. They are affected also.

So lets say you decide to let them come into your church, do you inform everyone of their pasts or just not say anything? And then if God forbid they rape someone or molest a child what do you say then? What if it is your wife, daughter, sister, mother, or son......?

Rhoni · #15 07-01-2008, 06:49 PM

I truly believe in grace and mercy but I do think safeguards should be put in place in regard to sex offenders. I think that we all pay for the sins we have committed...it is a Biblical principle. The end result is salvation. Before the end though...there are lives to live, and lives to protect.

Many sex offenders find a hiding place as well as a fertile field to continue their deviant behavior within our churches. God calls us to be harmless as doves but as wise as serpents. When we pray for knowledge and wisdom we are also told to pray for understanding.

Sex offenders do not limit themselves to children, but to those who are of a pure heart and mind. Many an Apostolic female has fallen prey to a sexual predator out of their pure heart, motives, and naivete.

Sexual predators should not be allowed ot participate in any ministry except working with offenders with the same issues. This is about accountability and safety.

This is my opinion and not that of the management.

Blessings, Rhoni

SDG · #16 07-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx

When you have not been personally touched by these kinds of crimes it is really easy to forgive and forget I guess. Or if it has not happened to your children or close family members. If not it is easier said than done. And lets not forget the families of the criminals. They are affected also.

So lets say you decide to let them come into your church, do you inform everyone of their pasts or just not say anything? And then if God forbid they rape someone or molest a child what do you say then? What if it is your wife, daughter, sister, mother, or son......?

Cindy I would be repulsed if this happened to my daughter at 2, 12 or 22 or 32 ... I know that I would be fuming and seeking justice ....

However we need to keep in mind that there are many crimes that affect us greatly .... including the proliferation of drugs, etc.

You do understand that many people can be labeled as a sexual offender for not molesting a child ...

and yet according to this law they can't get involved in a Church at all ...

I'm all for protecting children from a sexual offender who is in contact w/ them like a Sunday School teacher... but it's a lack of common sense that this person can't cook in the kitchen at church?

Hello???

That's not common sense.

It's a fact that those who are involved in church activities are the one's who become committed to the things of God ....

Balance.

MissBrattified · #17 07-01-2008, 06:54 PM

DA, it's food for thought. As a mother of 3 children, I can tend to be extreme on this issue, BUT...I was thinking as I read through the thread, how do missionaries respond? Like those in Africa who may convert militants who have murdered (slaughtered), tortured and raped MANY people? If we were to ask, say, Nona Freeman, I have a feeling she would shake hands with, pray for, and witness to anyone, no matter what evil deeds they may have committed.

It goes back to something that was said on the thread about Christian Garrett--how much do we underestimate the power of God to change a life? It seems like we don't even trust Him to completely transform people anymore.

I understand the legal issues, and I thoroughly understand (and concur with) the concept of protecting our children, but on the other hand, a church is a place for sinners. Healthy people don't need a doctor.

I also think it's a frightening thing for the state to dictate who can do what within a church. That's a bit too much government control mixing into church matters, IMO. Are they going to forbid ex-prostitutes from sitting next to men? Or thieves, perhaps, must stay at least 20 ft. from ladies' purses?

Western culture, for all its liberal bents, is conversely puritanical and unforgiving. (And I'm including myself in that description.) We need to be careful not to allow that to taint the purpose of the church, which is to reach out to the LOST, regardless of the nature of their sins.

Rhoni · #18 07-01-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx

When you have not been personally touched by these kinds of crimes it is really easy to forgive and forget I guess. Or if it has not happened to your children or close family members. If not it is easier said than done. And lets not forget the families of the criminals. They are affected also.

So lets say you decide to let them come into your church, do you inform everyone of their pasts or just not say anything? And then if God forbid they rape someone or molest a child what do you say then? What if it is your wife, daughter, sister, mother, or son......?

Background checks should be done on anyone in church leadership no matter what or how humble the position. Previous pastors should be questioned as to the integrity of the person they are allowing into their church leadership. There are many sexual predators who have not been charged or the charges stuck in a criminal court record but they are guilty just the same.

Should they be forgiven? Absolutely. Should they be trusted? Not without safeguards over time. Should they feel comfortable in our assemblies? Yes, but they should also know that they are being watched and there are rules to follow. If they are indeed repentent they will understand why this is being done. It is those who are not repentant who want unconditional accessibility, and that is because they are looking for their next victim.

Pray with your eyes wide open and your spiritual senses open to know the spirits as they work in your midst.

I will say that at times, many leadership use people with such a past because in doing so they have automatic "Yes" people who will do their bidding for this special grace. This is not Christlike either. It is spiritual blackmail.

Blessings, Rhoni

MissBrattified · #19 07-01-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

You do understand that many people can be labeled as a sexual offender for not molesting a child ...

and yet according to this law they can't get involved in a Church at all ...

This is a point that bothers me. You can get into the sexual database for "indecent exposure", which can be as benign as peeing in a park.

Quote:

I'm all for protecting children from a sexual offender who is in contact w/ them like a Sunday School ... but it's a lack of common sense that this person can't cook in the kitchen at church?

Hello???

That's not common sense.

It's a fact that those who are involve in church activities are the one's who become committed to the things of God ....
Balance.

The idea of having a pedophile in the church (e.g., around my children) is a frightening thought to me.

SDG · #20 07-01-2008, 06:58 PM

1st Corinthians 6, verses 9, 10, and this time 11.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Do we believe in this .... or not ....???? Do we believe in the blood?