Sex offenders- prison for volunteering in church?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

Imagine having this label and registered for life as a sexual offender ... and now you can't get involved in your local church for peeing in the park.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

I'd have to disagree. The lost need saved and we need to show compassion and forgiveness but we do not have to be naive. Of many other cultures, our western culture is the most backward and lenient as to these offenders. Many people hold to your views but would be the first to backstab a homosexual.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Imagine having this label and registered for life as a sexual offender ... and now you can't get involved in your local church.

Imagine getting away with it and doing it again, and again, and again.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

More common sense and Christian compassion from Lady B.

Churches are supposed to be the trauma centers not the source of added trauma.

Do we believe this Gospel or what?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Imagine getting away with it and doing it again, and again, and again.

Imagine urinating in the park ... again ... again ...?

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Imagine urinating in the park ... again ... again ...?

Yes, and imagine ministers peeping in windows, ministry leaders soliciting sex in bathrooms, ministers seducing young women and men in their offices, sunday school teachers molesting children in restrooms, ect.

Exposing oneself in public gets to be a habit and there are many diagnosises for such behavior.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

More common sense and Christian compassion from Lady B.

Churches are supposed to be the trauma centers not the source of added trauma.

Do we believe this Gospel or what?

Heaven forbid we traumatize a sexual predator in our midst.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Yes, and imagine ministers peeping in windows, ministry leaders soliciting sex in bathrooms, ministers seducing young women and men in their offices, sunday school teachers molesting children in restrooms, ect.

Exposing oneself in public gets to be a habit and there are many diagnosises for such behavior.

Is this just about men in position to you ... are you not able to compartmentalize that this law does not just target blatant molesters?

That not all sexual offenders are men ...???

Is there a distinction between leaders, teachers and singing in the choir?

That's what this specific law is now seeking to target anyone w/ this on their rap sheet for any reason cannot get involved in their local church ...at all.

Do you not see the precedent this sets? How it is more gov't intervention in the church?

Rhonda you are bright ... there's layers to this.

I have peed in a wooded area... what's my diagnosis? Sheesh.

It's hard to defend folks w/ this label ... but I got to believe they are among the least of these too.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I'd have to disagree. The lost need saved and we need to show compassion and forgiveness but we do not have to be naive. Of many other cultures, our western culture is the most backward and lenient as to these offenders. Many people hold to your views but would be the first to backstab a homosexual.

What exactly are you disagreeing with? You bolded the part about the church needing to focus on winning the lost. LOL!!!

I don't want a pedophile around my children either--but I do acknowledge God's power to change a person, including a pedophile...OR a homosexual.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

What exactly are you disagreeing with? You bolded the part about the church needing to focus on winning the lost. LOL!!!

I don't want a pedophile around my children either--but I do acknowledge God's power to change a person, including a pedophile...OR a homosexual.

It was about unconditional acceptance of sexual offenders in our churches without safeguards. I am sorry if you thought I meant that our churches were not to reach out to sinners no matter what the sin.

Daniel is right about my 'issues'...I have family members who were molested within churches; i.e., Apostolic boy scout troops, church camp, during local services, ect. If you check statistics...93% of sexual predators are men although there are approx 7% that are females. I do not believe all men are sexual deviants, nor do I believe all women to be holy and righteous. Things are what they are...and yes, some of us were - but are no longer because of the grace of God.

You will find many sex offenders that are not repentant and continue to do the deed under the shelter of our ideas of grace and mercy. We need wisdom. I need wisdom.

Blessings, Rhoni