The bill, “Requires sexual and violent sexual offenders to disclose the name, address, and phone number of any church, temple, or other religious group or organization in this state where the offender is a registered member.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A new bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on Thursday would require sexual offenders to report to authorities their membership in a church or another religious organization.
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“As introduced, requires sexual and violent sexual offenders to disclose the name, address, and phone number of any church, temple, or other religious group or organization in this state where the offender is a registered member; specifies that this information is considered public information; requires the TBI to provide all public information about an offender to any church, temple, or other religious group or organization in this state where the offender is a registered member when an offender registers as a sexual or violent sexual offender or updates a registration,” the bill reads.
In addition to appearing to be unconstitutional (how is the church someone attends “public information”?), this will simply discourage PFRs from officially becoming church members, and just attending as permanent “visitors.” They’ll still be present at services, and at church events, but just won’t be on the membership rolls. Of course, that’s no problem–any large church has any number of random people attending every week, and many have occasional homeless men and, unfortunately, drunk men, and churches have no problem dealing with this because they aren’t run by children. I’d be surprised if any reputable church in TN doesn’t run FBI background checks on every volunteer or staff member who works with kids and teens. So what’s left? What possible security gaps are filled by this law–that there might be a member of Knights of Columbus serving pancakes at a fundraiser breakfast that’s a PFR that somehow no one flagged, despite him being on a public registry likely in that very community?
Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) is a hypocrite and if her church (NewLife Gathering Church) supports this, they are false christians and a false church. The only people Jesus condemned and pushed away were religious hypocrites. Sad.
This must be unconstitutional.
It’s quite probable that most registrants will be banned from attending or participating in any affected organization. If this gets made into law, the insurance companies will jump on board the money train and sell sex registration riders to all the institutions impacted. Can’t go to schools, parks, pools, YMCA’s, gyms, community centers, Recreational trails, playgrounds, athletic fields, day care centers, tutoring centers, parades, Halloween, public beaches, dance or gymnastic academies, bus stops (not yet in my city) and libraries. Note: in my city 20 % have a loitering clause which help us.
To be a parent under these conditions is trying and punishment for our families. Adding constraints ” church, temple, or other religious group or organization“ to this list with the perimeters given is for some families, life changing. From what my experience tells me there is little sympathy for our situation even from the forgiving, humane, tolerant, merciful, moral and compassionate religious community. Add the enhanced liability and we are not wanted in these churches and organizations.
As I have the tendency to go down rabbit holes… think of the ambulance chasing lawyers on commercials “have any of you been harmed by, brushed up against by or looked at by a registrant? Call ##****** Law offices at ### – ### – ####” .Slam dunk win.
Will, you must have something to add.
There is no basis whatsoever for this kind of information to be reported and then manifested on the registrant’s profile-none!! The only thing this will do is cause an uproar and registrant’s to be removed from such places. The LORD rebuke this bill and the people who made it and may it NOT pass!!
Do churches require you to register? Could you just show up whenever and not do that?
Looking for a church made by and for registrants? Check out the Crossroads of Hope Online Church. They have a lot to offer, and you’ll have no fear of ever being rejected.
https://www.crossroadsofhope.church/
I thought Christianity was about forgiveness and second chances. It has been proven that any convicted felon, regardless of crime, has a better chance of true rehabilitation if they attend some sort of religious service regularly. Doesn’t seem Ms Massey cares about her religion or what actually makes the public safer. Another example of Republicans, especially, using PFRs and the Registry as an easy way to make points with the voting public without tackling the real problems. I stupidly thought there was freedom of religion in this country and was one of the primary reason it was founded.
Simple.
Go online and get ordained.
Start your own church, the Holy Church of FxxK Off {insert politician name here} and then provide that information to TBI as required.
Repeat until you lose interest.
Apparently church is no place for sinners….
I’m just going to note here that going to a church for attendance is one thing, but being a member of that church is completely and totally different.
So, with that being said, they’re asking people to register their churches if they are actual members of the church, like you are a member of whatever you are. If you just attend the church for the sake of attendance, that’s not what I’m reading they’re asking for. They may not like that, but that’s the facts.
In re-reading the article, it’s clear that this information will be publicly released. Frighteningly a violation of a person’s freedom to practice religion without government interference.
Also strange – there is no definition of ‘registered member’ as used in the bill. The text of the bill merely inserts the requirement in the list of things a registrant is required to report. What does it mean to be a ‘registered member’?
If a place of worship considers you a member because you attend regularly, is that enough to trigger the requirement?
Are you kidding me? I can’t even try to live a moral faithful life without harassment? There is a special dark place waiting for you one day. Christ is NOT going to look favorably on this
Lets start with clergy members down there in Tennessee. While you are at how many Tennessee lawmakers sent sexual messages or emails to Cassidy Hutchinson, which should be made public.
Perhaps churches across all 50 states should preach we all sinners including those who committed sex crimes. Churches should welcome them with open arms and spread the true teachings of Jesus, instead of anything we don’t like is forbidden but also will never be forgiven.
Isn’t this a prime example of church and state separation??
tennessee miss blackburn nazi state