If I were the pastor of a church (sorry if reading that from me short-circuited your brain! ), 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?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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.
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.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
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.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
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.
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.
If I were the pastor of a church (sorry if reading that from me short-circuited your brain! ), 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?
And besides. We could pray for protection of the little ones. God would certainly answer that prayer! Right?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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.
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.
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.
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.
), 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?
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