ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. – A sheriff in one of North Carolina’s smallest counties told sex offenders they can’t attend church services, citing a state law meant to keep them from day care centers and schools.
Sheriff Danny Millsaps, in Graham County, told the registered offenders about his decision on Feb. 17, according to a letter obtained by the Asheville Citizen-Times on Friday. Full Article
Plenty of large churches in CA have some sort of school or daycare that operates during the week or on the weekend while the adults attend the normal “adult” service. I seriously hope this is challenged. I’m guessing this is NOT what was intended or meant by the law. Let’s continue to trample the constitution in order to protect the children from the big bad wolf.
I’ve been attending Sunday services at a church with a K-12 school. I’m always wondering if I’m in violation. Same for my kid’s gymnastics, etc. Do I need to tell the Pastor and owners and get them to green light my being there with my kids?
If anyplace should be sacred it should be church, school on site or not.
I had thought freedom of religion was guaranteed under the Constitution. For many denominations I can’t see it is even possible to practice your religion without participating in the communal ceremonies of your chosen church.
Another podunk sherrif with a podunk size brain doing what comes natural the land of Jim Crow.
Knew this was coming, but I hope someone sues the hewll out of him and makes him a believer!
I have a degree in Theology, had been active in church since 1972 and recently decided to stop going to church, simply because it’s a liability now. All it takes is one complaint and SWAT and the news come knocking. I’ll worship in the peace, quiet and relative security of my home.
I am happy I’m in a state with a group marching against the insanity
YAY! Now this will finally start getting challenged.
So…this guy just woke up one morning and decided that registrants were a threat to kids in churches?!?!?!
I wonder what part of
” A state Superior Court judge eventually ruled the law, as applied to churches, was unconstitutional.”
in regards to registrants attending church this anti american doesn’t get?
My hub has not been able to attend church since he left prison.
His first PO was adamant that he not attend.
ok fine.
but wow. really. How does that help anyone?
just attending. Not singing in the choir or teaching bible study or caticisim (spelling sorry)
I figured I would post this here. Okay, so here goes — It’s been a while since I’ve commented on here but I’m on the registry and have been for a while now. Being on the registry means that you are functionally banished from being a full member of society. It impacts every aspect of your life — your living situation, housing, jobs, travel, friendships, romantic relationships, education, you name it. It is so easy to let it, for lack of a better word, become your identity. That being a sex offender is the most salient thing about you, regardless… Read more »
The former minister at my church spoke with me after services one day, he said a member of the congregation had seen me on the Registry. He said we should talk. I said I was available anytime, but he never contacted me or spoke with me after that, so I guess it was just a way of saying, “we’re aware and we’re keeping an eye on you.” (Note: my offense was 20 years ago and consensual.) I still attend, but am now self-marginalized: don’t talk to others much, don’t participate, don’t share. I listen to the sermon then leave. I… Read more »
Thanks for sharing David. Yep, I just stopped going all together. This society has done its best to make us feel shunned. Can’t travel outside of the country, have lost touch with all my friends and family because I got kicked off Facebook, can’t get a loan for my business because of a 20 year old conviction, and don’t go to church because of the inevitable, well, just what you experienced. And dating? Yeah, that’s always fun. I received a life sentence, obviously, despite what I was sentenced to, which was a long time ago.
At my previous church, the entire congregation knew about my offense, were supportive while I was on parole, and were great support after parole. At my current church, not that many know, but a few do, including the pastor. I don’t shy away from being active in the church, including social events. I know the restrictions the law puts on me, and abide by them. If anyone finds out I’m on the registry, I simply talk to them, explain the reason I’m on it and how God has moved in my life. If they really are Christians, they don’t hold… Read more »
The Devil made him do it!