Several churches within the Churches of Christ denomination have come under fire for allowing sex offenders to attend services. Critics accuse those churches of failing to care for the victims. Defenders claim that those who are truly repentant should not be turned away. Most likely, this is a debate that is going to find its way into all denominations because the problem of sexual abuse is baring its ugly soul across denominational lines.
The sexual abuse of minors is especially heinous. There is something about the betrayal of a child’s trust and the violent disruption of innocence that causes most of us to respond in extreme ways that we don’t generally respond in the face of other crimes. As a society, we understand that children are to be protected and nurtured. Shamefully, over the last few years, report after report about sexual abuse suffered by children at the hands of pastors, youth pastors, and other church staff members has surfaced. As we rush to examine policies and practices to help ensure the safety of our children, little thought is being given to what becomes of those guilty of the crime and yet are truly repentant.
There is a huge difference between leaders in church who abuse children and those whose offenses had nothing to do with a church or church kids but simply want a place to worship.
These people would call out Jesus for associating with sinners.
I know some avoid church because they don’t want to deal with it but I’m thankful to have found a church that accepts me.
There is also a church near by me that specifically is for sex offenders. Only those 18 and up can attend their services.
I could have hidden my past but I am glad churches are having these uncomfortable conversations. It forces them to take a stand one way or the other.
“Several churches within the Churches of Christ denomination have come under fire for allowing sex offenders to attend services.” by whom? What critics?
Are all “sex offenders” the same? Who the hell are these critics, whoever they are, to judge? The “bible” was written by people, it may or not be the truth, but if you’re going to use it as the honest truth you need to look at the entire scripture and not just one quote.
Mark 3:28-28: 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter.
I, for one, lost faith in any god long ago.
and who are these critics? id like to know…your going to tell me I cant praise my lord in any church I would like to go to? the next thing these sicko’s will be telling me when to eat,what to think,and believe what they want me to believe……truly Nazi Germany is here
See what mr. Roberts started? Electronic blacklists will proliferate in range and scope.
Jehovah’s Witnesses has had a lot of publicity and lawsuits lately around the world due to them covering up child sex abuse. So now, in their most recent 2019 (confidential) elders manual it says that they should not knock on doors of know registrants. So they have decided to not even preach god’s word to registrants. Registrants are allowed to attend thier services, but they must figure it’s better to not try and convert registrants at all. So much for being Christ like.
Yeah, I remember seeing an old news reel about something similar but it was hard to understand becuase the narratoration was in German.
My entire family will never walk through another door of a church in this life time because of how Christians treat us. I don’t care what you did in this life. No should ever bar you from church fellowship. It’s the family of God. Family!!
The majority of Christians have turned their back on us. That was never meant to be. It’s not the ministry of Jesus. It’s the agenda of the country club, and that is what the church has become.
Churches preach forgiveness. Or at least they use to….
I have been recently been selected to a key senior leadership position in my church, which is part of a major denomination, l did not apply for the position, they came looking for me and know about my SO pass. I have keys to the church, allowed to drive church vehicles and have unrestricted access anywhere on the campus. That being said, l avoid all situations that envolved children and women. It is important the RC avoid all appearances of wrong intentions and be aware their surroundings at ALL times. We had a RC that came to the church and he started talking to kids and l alerted the pastor and the pastor and l went to the individual and he tried to deny it. We ask him to stay away from the kids or stay away from the church. I later heard he was in jail.
I am sorry to say, most SO do need to be watch, because the of their sloppiness. RCs do need to ‘walk on water’ to gain trust.
“We non-risk RCs have it rough because of the RC monsters…”
We all should be careful of classifying others in our group. I know a lot of ex cons that feel much less of a felon when they point their finger at us and say “your a sex offender”. We are all fighting this together.
It seems that many registrants have adopted a 12-Steps approach to being around kids, perhaps as a result of years of treatment abuse/brain-washing. For myself, I refuse to live my life being afraid of their company or refraining from ever speaking to them. Maybe some people who possess a complete inability to exert control over their behaviors need this but I’m not going to live my life in a state of servile acquiescence to a hysterical society that imposes upon me its truly irrational demands. Apart from being a secular humanist and atheist, I would not be a good candidate for any church that imagines my chatting with their small fry to be “dangerous.” The greatest danger I might pose to these congregants would be to their beliefs.
Another beautiful example, literally, ‘in your face’ example, of why Man Made Religion, including Churches, is utter Bullsh*t. You’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb at this point to not see why all of religion was made and for what purposes since they can ‘outcast’ who they wish. It’s pathetic, even more pathetic are the amounts of people who follow it. I will agree it gives people a sense of community and belonging, but as a former church-goer, I can say that it’s all complete bullsh*t for reasons such as this.
Even as someone with a non contact offense there is nothing more irritating to me than offenders are who criticize our brothers who have contact offenses as the real predators. There are plenty of people with non contact offenses and stings who would have done more if they had the chance. Lets not judge