Would you let him in your church?
 

Banned From Churches, Sex Offenders Go to Court

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

If I were the pastor of a church (sorry if reading that from me short-circuited your brain! :heeheehee), I would ask God if the guy was safe around kids (transformed by the renewing of his mind, a new creature, etc.). God would tell me either yes or no. Right? God talks to pastors, doesn't He?

:winkgrin

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

We don't put people that are on work release, probation on church buses. When a child molestor does his deed, these are the consequences. So he should not have done the deeds. Many churches do a background check before they put people in camp counselor, teaching etc positions. If I bring one to church with a serious record, I keep an eye on them and either have them sit with me or where we can watch them.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

There are consequences to some sins in society that have absolutely nothing to do with God's ability to forgive their sin.

IF a child molester comes to church, and IF he/she truly has a conversion experience, then that person will not mind being held to a higher level of accountability for the safety of any children in the vicinity, AND for the sake of the reputation of the church.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

Let's face it...we don't do background checks on everyone that comes into the church. I don't believe we should ban anyone, regardless of their crime or sin, from church.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

Let's be mindful of the offender's spiritual well being. If they've struggled with an attraction to children it's best not to place them where they can be tempted.

It's best for all involved to limit their participation in the church.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

The man was arrested for merely attending services because there was a daycare on site. I think that is wrong. In fact, I think a lot of the rules in regard to sex offenders is wrong. Keep a close eye on them, yes. Not allow them to attend church or live within a certain radius of a school or daycare, unrealistic.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

And besides. We could pray for protection of the little ones. God would certainly answer that prayer! Right?

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

You bring up some interesting points. I can see where in some cases the requirement not to be a certain number of feet of a school, sunday school, or daycare might be unrealistic. But as it stands... it's currently the law. He definately opened himself up for this to happen by attending church where he'd be near children. I'd think that the church would stand up for his right to attend and perhaps support him in challenging this law. Perhaps in the mean time he should seek to find a place to worship such as a house church. Sadly, he might be forced to practice his faith in private away from any public gatherings.

Re: Would you let him in your church?
 

I agree that there are probably a lot of unrealistic demands that are made in this area. I didn't read the whole article - but what if by "sex offender" this guy was guilty of attacking grown women? Or preyed only upon the elderly? Then a "day care premises ban" makes no sense at all. But, I think that's probably where his problems lie, so who knows?

These types of restrictions came up rather recently in response to many news accounts of repeat offenders continuing to prey upon innocent victims - the worst cases being attacks against children. "We" - U.S. society - felt that "we" had to do something; I felt that something had to be done.

I confess that I probably don't always have perfect wisdom, nor do "we." But it's hard to argue against "erring on the side of caution," especially when the safety of children is at stake.