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SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/9/2008 10:41:00 PM
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percussionlover
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this is a topic i'm curious about.
you don't hear about it too often. what's your thoughts about sex offenders attending church? attending your church??
i'm starting this topic cause i feel it's important as christians that we love everyone,like the word of Jesus says.
i go to a pentacostal church in the south. we do have a sex offender attending our church & i've no problem whatsoever with this person attending our church.
this person is on fire for Jesus since he got saved ! i can see it in his everyday walk in life & lifestyle. this person is on the sex registry as a sex offender for "attempted sexual battery without violence".
this person is not a predator or child molestor. the crime did not involve a child.
keep in mind that just because someone is a sex offender & on the registry dosent mean that they are a predator/child molestor.
this person has a loving family & everyone in his family are saved.
they have 2 awesome kids that are very involved within the church as well as his wife .
i'm sure that theres people in the church that know his background,but from what i've seen at church,everyone interacts with him etc...love him & his family etc....they dont seem to judge him.
i think thats awesome, cause as christians our first goal is to love & encourage our brothers & sisters in Christ etc...to make sure they get to heaven ,not hell.
if you think about it,Jesus interacted with sex offenders/theives/murderers/robbers of His day etc...& did Jesus reject them,no....He loved them & their salvation.
you have to remember that Jesus has forgiven this guy for his crime etc...it's forgotton.
all of us have skeletons in our closets/pasts & Jesus has forgiven us.
at last word in the state where i live,the state goverment want to pass a law that sex offenders cant volunteer at their church or attend church.
thats just wrong....................
keep in mind that at your church there probaly is a sex offender attending your church....
just like to hear your thoughts on this.....hopefully their loving........
_____________________________
PERCUSSIONLOVER
SURFIN FOR JESUS
CONGA MAN
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 12:02:33 AM
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phosadaud
Posts: 7707
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From: Washington State
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We have/had sex offenders attend our church. I do not see anywhere in Scripture that says if a person commits sin "A", they are to be permanently barred from ever fellowship in the body of believers. Jesus never turned away anyone because they were just "too bad" and neither should we.
That being said, there are many sex offenders who prey on "trusting" churches and even sex offenders who are saved are not going to suddenly become sinless. The fact is the recidivism rate among sex offenders is extremely high. And even more frightening, sex offenders are often the folks we would trust the most and respect the most.
Sooooo,
My church handles it this way: We have extremely strict standards for who is allowed to work with children. ALL volunteers, workers and those issued keys, are required to have a background check and take a child safety course. Even those who have "passed" have strict rules regarding never being alone with a child, etc.
When it does come to our attention that a sex offender is attending, someone is leadership is assigned to approach them and tell them: They are welcome to attend here, but we know their "past" and we will be watching. Then, key folks are informed and we keep an eye on them. They are not allowed in any ministry that would result in them working with kids/youth. Period.
We are also blessed to have a large number of folks who are in law enforcement who attend our church so that adds to the security and "watchful" eyes.
So, yes, we are to love everyone - even those who make our stomachs churn. That being said, we need to be always vigilant that in loving folks, we don't let the wolves in with the sheep.
_____________________________
~Kristin~
The easily offended...
Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 12:32:20 AM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3348
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I did research on this for our church, and in the state I live in, convicted sex offenders whose crimes are against children would not be able to attend our church because the law states they cannot come within 2,000 feet of a place where children gather...most states have laws like this...and since, children are always in attendance at our church, it wouldn't work. The person would have to go to a church with an adults only service.
This is an extremely complicated issue.
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
I weep for those who won't experience this because they have been deceived.
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 12:50:26 AM
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zamdad
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This is an area I have much experience. For the past 16 years I have worked in the corrections field; both inside and outside the walls of institutions. Five years of this experience involved supervision of sex offenders in the community. As a group, sex offenders are the least understood and most feared group in the community. The media portrays anyone convicted of a sex crime as a monster we need to be protected from and we, the consumers of media, play right into the hands of the media.
While sex offender registries may have begun with the best of intentions, they have had unintended consequences. Now, anyone convicted of a sexual offense is listed as a predatory offender even if it was a 19 year old male who impregnated a 15 year old female in a relationship her parents approved of. The young man previously mentioned is listed on the same registry as the man who likes 12 year old boys or the man who lurks behind the bushes in the park looking for a woman on the jogging path.
I’ve heard more than enough comments from Christians who want to see “sex offenders” locked up and put away forever; placed in a cell with Bubba to get the same thing they did to whomever they offended against. These same Christians are not aware that there may be a registered offender sitting within earshot and, possibly, being someone they are already in a relationship with. I have also heard some of these same Christians express sexual jokes or comments that validate the thinking of the offender they want to condemn. After having lived a promiscuous lifestyle once myself and having had the opportunity to work with convicted offenders, “But by the grace of God go I,” has much more meaning.
Yes, we need to protect our kids and each other from predatory sexual behavior. How do we do this? Instead of looking to the government to be our savior, we need to love our neighbor as ourselves. Who is our neighbor? Lets begin within our own households. We need to know and understand our kids so well that we know when something is amiss and someone has violated their boundaries. Our kids need to trust us so much that when someone violates their boundaries they will come tell us. When we hear someone making sexually suggestive comments, we need to call them on their deviant thinking; get them to rethink why they said what they did. We need to be discerning.
We also have to remember that for each convicted offender on the registry, there are countless more out there who have not been caught. And, once someone is caught does not mean they are convicted. All too often, once someone is caught, they will move on and find another group of trusting people to victimize. And, what better group of people are there than us in the church. We want to believe and trust everyone. We want to love them and, all too often, neglect our gut in the name of love. If your gut tells you something is amiss, don’t dismiss it. Pay attention. The best sexual offenders are masters at relationships and can have you second guessing your second guesses.
_____________________________
You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 3:08:11 AM
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crm4souls
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The church is for sinners and saints. We should reach out and allow anyone in the doors to hear the Gospel. With that said, our church has cameras in the kids rooms and through the halls, etc. There are off duty Police officers and security roaming the halls. All volunteers have extensive background checks before allowing them to work in the church. We may reach the lost & people who are sick in the mind, but we should not allow them near our children. The church should have security to enable the safety of everyone including our children, teenage girls, etc.
_____________________________
"Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in HEALTH just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2 www.Power3Diet.com
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 8:07:07 AM
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percussionlover
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awesome response to the thread folks,but some of you are missing the point....the offender attending our church is on the registry as a sex offender but this person did not commit a crime on a child. he is not a predator/child molestor,so there's no need for alarm when this person is around kids.
he's a family man with 2 kids aged....7 & 13.
my other point i wanted to make was that if some one is a registered sex offender & on the registry,it dosent mean that he or she is a predator/child molestor.........
quote:
ORIGINAL: phosadaud
We have/had sex offenders attend our church. I do not see anywhere in Scripture that says if a person commits sin "A", they are to be permanently barred from ever fellowship in the body of believers. Jesus never turned away anyone because they were just "too bad" and neither should we.
That being said, there are many sex offenders who prey on "trusting" churches and even sex offenders who are saved are not going to suddenly become sinless. The fact is the recidivism rate among sex offenders is extremely high. And even more frightening, sex offenders are often the folks we would trust the most and respect the most.
Sooooo,
My church handles it this way: We have extremely strict standards for who is allowed to work with children. ALL volunteers, workers and those issued keys, are required to have a background check and take a child safety course. Even those who have "passed" have strict rules regarding never being alone with a child, etc.
When it does come to our attention that a sex offender is attending, someone is leadership is assigned to approach them and tell them: They are welcome to attend here, but we know their "past" and we will be watching. Then, key folks are informed and we keep an eye on them. They are not allowed in any ministry that would result in them working with kids/youth. Period.
We are also blessed to have a large number of folks who are in law enforcement who attend our church so that adds to the security and "watchful" eyes.
So, yes, we are to love everyone - even those who make our stomachs churn. That being said, we need to be always vigilant that in loving folks, we don't let the wolves in with the sheep.
_____________________________
PERCUSSIONLOVER
SURFIN FOR JESUS
CONGA MAN
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 8:24:15 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 640
Joined: 3/24/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: percussionlover
awesome response to the thread folks,but some of you are missing the point....the offender attending our church is on the registry as a sex offender but this person did not commit a crime on a child. he is not a predator/child molestor,so there's no need for alarm when this person is around kids.
he's a family man with 2 kids aged....7 & 13.
my other point i wanted to make was that if some one is a registered sex offender & on the registry,it dosent mean that he or she is a predator/child molestor.........
What if he were convicted of a crime against children? Does that mean he should be chased out of church? Even in your case, I wonder if the law would be not as accepting, as Kat said, the perimeter laws affecting any place where children are would be a big problem for even someone like him.
This is a complicated and sad issue. I understand the knee jerk reaction to lock people up and throw away the key and to pass the overreaching unreasonable laws but it's just from the media working up a frenzy - it's not really making anyone safer.
Churches have to be very careful about who they let work with kids; that's the church's responsibility and the parents' responsibility to insist that these background checks happen. Beyond that, I don't see how a Christ-centered church can actually turn people away like that. I think if a sex offender, even what we would consider the worst of the worst (obviously someone violent or truly dangerous predator shouldn't be let out of jail but someone who is...) comes to the church and is open about his past and transparent about his sincerity I think a church has an obligation to love and support this person. I don't think there's anything wrong with holding this person to a strict standard of accountability. And if someone comes to a church and tries to hide who they are or what their past has been, then I think a church can ask that person to leave.
My dh's best friend is in prison right now for molesting his own daughter. It was a horrific situation all around. Our hearts broke for everyone involved. Knowing this man's heart, and loving him like we did (we do), we have a pretty unique perspective. This was a college educated, Christian man, a good (by most measures) father and husband, a friend who would do anything for you, who had this horrible demonic thing destroy his life. His sentence was 11 years (I believe it's been about 4). When he gets out, we worry about what this experience, the guilt, losing his family, and the time in that prison environment will have done to him. But we also worry about the very limited options that he will have - there will be very few choices for him in where to live, where to work, etc. I certainly hope he will find a church that will accept him and support him and hold him accountable. If he doesn't, what hope will he have?
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 8:27:07 AM
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earthless
Posts: 4829
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: where bbq pigeons roast....
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
I did research on this for our church, and in the state I live in, convicted sex offenders whose crimes are against children would not be able to attend our church because the law states they cannot come within 2,000 feet of a place where children gather...most states have laws like this...and since, children are always in attendance at our church, it wouldn't work. The person would have to go to a church with an adults only service.
This is an extremely complicated issue.
Same thing in this state. At my old church we did background/criminal checks for any and all persons working in any ministry, in any capacity.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 8:50:05 AM
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1love1God1way
Posts: 1937
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zamdad
This is an area I have much experience.
You scared me with this one, zamdad. . .
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-Ben-
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 9:20:07 AM
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earthless
Posts: 4829
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From: where bbq pigeons roast....
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zamdad
We also have to remember that for each convicted offender on the registry, there are countless more out there who have not been caught. And, once someone is caught does not mean they are convicted. All too often, once someone is caught, they will move on and find another group of trusting people to victimize. And, what better group of people are there than us in the church. We want to believe and trust everyone. We want to love them and, all too often, neglect our gut in the name of love. If your gut tells you something is amiss, don’t dismiss it. Pay attention. The best sexual offenders are masters at relationships and can have you second guessing your second guesses.
Your entire post was spot on (I worked two years in Max, direct contact, no interlock, no barrier, direct full contact.. average 8 hour shift was 98 inmates per one officer).
But this last paragraph of yours is golden and something all Christians active in a local church need to bear in mind.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 10:28:18 AM
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phosadaud
Posts: 7707
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: percussionlover
awesome response to the thread folks,but some of you are missing the point....the offender attending our church is on the registry as a sex offender but this person did not commit a crime on a child. he is not a predator/child molestor,so there's no need for alarm when this person is around kids.
he's a family man with 2 kids aged....7 & 13.
my other point i wanted to make was that if some one is a registered sex offender & on the registry,it dosent mean that he or she is a predator/child molestor.........
quote:
ORIGINAL: phosadaud
We have/had sex offenders attend our church. I do not see anywhere in Scripture that says if a person commits sin "A", they are to be permanently barred from ever fellowship in the body of believers. Jesus never turned away anyone because they were just "too bad" and neither should we.
That being said, there are many sex offenders who prey on "trusting" churches and even sex offenders who are saved are not going to suddenly become sinless. The fact is the recidivism rate among sex offenders is extremely high. And even more frightening, sex offenders are often the folks we would trust the most and respect the most.
Sooooo,
My church handles it this way: We have extremely strict standards for who is allowed to work with children. ALL volunteers, workers and those issued keys, are required to have a background check and take a child safety course. Even those who have "passed" have strict rules regarding never being alone with a child, etc.
When it does come to our attention that a sex offender is attending, someone is leadership is assigned to approach them and tell them: They are welcome to attend here, but we know their "past" and we will be watching. Then, key folks are informed and we keep an eye on them. They are not allowed in any ministry that would result in them working with kids/youth. Period.
We are also blessed to have a large number of folks who are in law enforcement who attend our church so that adds to the security and "watchful" eyes.
So, yes, we are to love everyone - even those who make our stomachs churn. That being said, we need to be always vigilant that in loving folks, we don't let the wolves in with the sheep.
In my state at least, there are different "levels" of sex offenders. A teen who has sex with his teenage girlfriend (A) is the "lowest" threat level and not treated the same as the guy who molested his neighbor's kids for years (B). When B moves into my neighborhood, a letter goes out, he is required to stay so far from kids, etc. When A moves into my neighborhood, no notice goes out, etc.
As far as trusting anyone implicitly with our kids - we've removed folks from our childcare providers for things other than sex offenses. There are many, many ministries in our church, and we won't allow anyone and their sister watch our kids (even with the precautions we take). In fact, we require folks to attend a certain length of time before they can start working with our kids - even with a background check.
I have to add as well, that just because someone has not committed an offense against a child, does not mean, they shouldn't be watched. As a single woman, I would hope the rapist of women, would be watched closely as well. 
And the only offenders our church has had to deal with in this manner WERE folks convicted of violent (child molestation or rape) sexual crimes.
_____________________________
~Kristin~
The easily offended...
Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 10:31:13 AM
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phosadaud
Posts: 7707
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Washington State
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I forgot to add regarding "distance from children". At least where I live, offenders usually can still attend church, but are required to stay far from children's ministries and have strict requirements regarding interactions with kids. I'm not very knowledgeable regarding laws in other areas, but I don't believe rules regarding staying away from kids mean that the offender can't go to the grocery store or the pharmacy in case a kid shows up. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
_____________________________
~Kristin~
The easily offended...
Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 11:09:54 AM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3348
Joined: 9/2/2005
From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
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quote:
you have to remember that Jesus has forgiven this guy for his crime etc...it's forgotton.
Yes, you are right, a convicted sex offender may be forgiven, but there are a special set of consequences and repercussions (depending on the nature of his/her crime) for this sin, both societal and legal. The church is required to follow the law and the societal implications are difficult to deal with.
Some of the legal implications have already been mentioned, but one of the societal consequences is that people are generally afraid of those who appear on the convicted sex offender's registry. None of us truly knows the exact nature of a person's crime from that registry, and the church can only go on what the offender tells them he did (which may or may not be an accurate account of what actually happened). The question then comes up (since the registry is public) as to whether or not the church owes it to the congregation to advise them that they have a convicted sex offender in their midst.
It's all very complicated.
Edited for spelling.
< Message edited by Kat_D -- 4/10/2008 11:18:40 AM >
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
I weep for those who won't experience this because they have been deceived.
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 1:24:18 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 4614
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zamdad
This is an area I have much experience. For the past 16 years I have worked in the corrections field; both inside and outside the walls of institutions. Five years of this experience involved supervision of sex offenders in the community.
As someone with first hand experience, what would you say in the rehabilitaded rate. I am specifically referrencing pedeophiles. How many of those with a history of child predidation "Get" totally "Cured"?
Thsnks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 2:44:45 PM
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zamdad
Posts: 1064
Joined: 4/8/2005
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quote:
As someone with first hand experience, what would you say in the rehabilitaded rate. I am specifically referrencing pedeophiles. How many of those with a history of child predidation "Get" totally "Cured"?
I'm not quite sure how to answer this, RC. For true pedophiles, the "cure" rate is abysmally low. There seems to be a common perception in the general public that sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated. It really depends on the person. Does the person want to change? Do they really want to apply the lessons they learn from treatment? Or, do they just want to play the game, tell the therapist what he/she wants to hear?
I've seen some of the most obstinant people enter treatment saying that they didn't do it and that no one was going to cause them to change their way of thinking come out of treatment completely different than before they entered. On the other hand, I've seen some of the most compliant offenders go through the motions and articulate the principles learned, even admonish other members of the group for criminal thinking, but not apply any of the lessons learned to thier lives.
Someone else mentioned different levels of sex offenders. We have three levels here in MN as well. But, there is much confusion about the levels. In MN, a sex offender does not get a level assigned unless they go to prison. Not all offenders go to prison. Therefore, there are many convicted offenders in the community that have no level assigned to them. Level one is supposed to predict the lowest risk rate. level two means that an offender may have more than one victim and has failed treatment at least once. Level three means multiple victims and multiple treatment failures. Level three offenders are often considered for psychiatric commitment after their prison terms are up.
Another thing about treatment here in MN. Most convicted offenders in this state begin their sentence with a stint in county jail and then get placed on supervised probation with a requirement that they complete sex offender treatment in the community. There are a few crimes that call for automatic prison commitments. These men/women then come out of prison with a requirement that they participate in and complete sex offender treatment in the community as well. Treatment is facilitated by a licensed psychologist and is cofacilitated by the probation/parole officer. Offenders are also required to pass polygraph examinations as part of treatment. They are required to disclose their entire sexual history. The model of treatment we use here in MN is very effective in that with the PO being part of the treatment team, it helps to prohibit the offender from telling the therapist what he/she wants to hear and provides for accountability outside the treatment setting. The PO makes regular contact with the offender in the community, at home, work, etc and speaks with those in the offenders circle of influence.
Having worked as a PO in this capacity, I think I learned much more about what true discipleship is. It's getting to know people at their deepest level, being able to see under the mask. Exploring our attitudes, values and beliefs that form our thinking which, ultimately, results in behavior. It reaches a level that most in the church truly don't want to delve into as it means hearing and knowing things that illicit extreme discomfort. At the same time, it means having to look at the log in our own eye if we're examining the splinter in another's eye.
_____________________________
You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 2:50:03 PM
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earthless
Posts: 4829
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From: where bbq pigeons roast....
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: zamdad
This is an area I have much experience. For the past 16 years I have worked in the corrections field; both inside and outside the walls of institutions. Five years of this experience involved supervision of sex offenders in the community.
As someone with first hand experience, what would you say in the rehabilitaded rate. I am specifically referrencing pedeophiles. How many of those with a history of child predidation "Get" totally "Cured"?
Thsnks
RC
RC,
I am sure Zamdad will answer.. but considering I am a Sheriff's Deputy and have been closely working in and with our child/sex offenders crime division I thought I'd go ahead and chime in.. the stats for a pedo to be totally rehabbed is nearly 0. I do not have any concrete stats or studies to present right now to substantiate my claim.
But the recidivism rate for child sex offenders is extremely high.
Jesus can indeed forgive them, sure. But I won't be taking my innocent child anywhere near one nor allow one that is not permitted to be near children to do just that.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 3:24:34 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 4614
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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Well the nearly 0 rate of cure is what I have found also.
So the pedeophile should not expect the Church to welcome them with open arms. And other folks should not expect the Church to welcome them with open arms.
And besides the reoccurance rate; Church is for Christians not for sinners.
I have a very strict policy on pedeophiles attending my Church and that goes for others who practice open sin.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 3:28:51 PM
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zamdad
Posts: 1064
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I wanted to reiterate one more thing. Discernment. While we have background checks and other control measures in place, we can't place all our faith in these checks and balances. We have to be discerning. We have to be able to communicate openly within our own households so that our kids (and our spouses) will not keep secrets to cover for inappropriate behavior.
My work with offenders has involved several pastors who have been caught and ocnvicted as well as a number of men who were leaders in their churches. These were men that other trsuted implicitly and they violated that trust in the worst way.
One man I interviewed and wrote a report on presented himself to me as a minister. He had his ordination certificate with him to prove that he was a minister. He came to my caseload because he failed to register as a sex offender after he left our community. He was a hardcore drug addict who was in and out of treatment. When I did his criminal history, he had sex crime convictions in three states. He told me that he was reformed, that he was a minister, and that he did not need to register with the state as a sex offender because he had been forgiven of his past. He cited some scripture as i was interviewing him the first time I met with him in jail. I have a PDA Bible with seven different translations and turned to the verse he cited. While I can't recall the specific verse, our conversation quickly turned to something else as he realized he'd been caught twisting scripture to fit his own purposes. When we went to court, he should have ben sent to prison for failing to register. But, the judge decided public safety would be better served by placing him on probation. He disappeared as soon as he was released from jail. I got a call from another state several months later reporting he had raped an elderly woman. This man's victims ranged from 14 to 80 something. For the average person to meet him on the street, he would be very convincing assuring that he is a minister who has overcome a brutal past. He would befriend females in a congregation and turn the relationship sexual and, eventiually, drain them of their finances to support his drug habit.
Another man in his 90's (yes, 90's) travels the country side by hitchhiking. He does a lot of street evangelism and knows his Bible well. Yet, he likes young girls. In his mind, he is teaching these young girls about sexuality. In his mind, he is incapable of thinking lustful thoughts, that these young girls came onot him and asked him to teach them. Because of his age, most people think he is incapable of sex, let alone harming someone sexually. He uses his age and the assumptions of others to place himself around kids wherever he goes. And, when he's hitching rides, guess who usually stops to pick him up? Single mothers travelling with small kids.
Another man that I've written about extensivley in my blog was serving as an usher in his church. His church was aware of his conviction, but no one wanted to say anything to him to confront him about his behavior. This man could articulate the lessons learned in treatment, but he could not seem to apply any of it to his life. He was living with a woman he was not married to. He was miserable in the relationship. he was told before getting into the relationship that she was someone who would use and abuse him. When given an opportunity to leave, he always had some excuse as to why he could not leave. He had been convicted of molesting the daughters of a former girlfriend. It turned out that while he was serving as an usher and living with his girlfriend, he had a string of girlfriends he was being sexual with. Most of them had children or grandchildren they were exposing him to. After learning about all these other women and speaking with several of them, all of them described him as being too nice of a man to do what he was convicted of. All of them saw him as too nice of a man to cheat.
There are countless more stories about men and women like this. The point is, however, that we have to be discerning. We have to listen to what people are really saying. We have to really know the people living under our own roof in order to protect them from the sexual predators that lurk out there. We can't rely on sex offender registries or background checks. We have to be discerning which takes work.
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You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 6:48:06 PM
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Bluethread
Posts: 809
Joined: 11/8/2007
Status: offline
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First of all let me say that all sins are equal in the eyes of Adonai and therefore a sex offendor is no further from heaven than is someone who doesn't care for his neighbors runaway dog. That said, there are various degrees of social impact related to different actions. That is why I believe that we need to look to the Scriptures for guidance on how to deal with these situations for the betterment of society. Depending on the "sexual offence" there are different ways of handling it. It may seem harsh but there are some activities that require a person to be removed from society all together, but in our present society that is not the case. So we must do the best we can to mitigate the resultant damages and risks. As with any sin the person should be kept from temptation. Therefore, if you are someone who chooses to associate with sexual offenders, I would suggest you not be in the class of people that would tempt such a one. Also, you have a reponsibility to see that you gracious actions toward the offender put no one else at risk. Thus, in my opinion, community is the only protect against such individuals. We need to know as much about those around us we possibly can and treat them accordingly.
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/10/2008 10:34:58 PM
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percussionlover
Posts: 73
Joined: 2/29/2008
Status: offline
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hey earth...dont 4 get that all sex offenders are not child molestors/predators...alot of them are not. just because they're on the registry dosent mean their crime was against a child.
its the media that really blows all this out of perportion saying that all sex offenders are child molestors....they're not......if they're truly repentive,Jesus will know their heart & they will be in heaven...
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ORIGINAL: earthless
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ORIGINAL: rcjames
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ORIGINAL: zamdad
This is an area I have much experience. For the past 16 years I have worked in the corrections field; both inside and outside the walls of institutions. Five years of this experience involved supervision of sex offenders in the community.
As someone with first hand experience, what would you say in the rehabilitaded rate. I am specifically referrencing pedeophiles. How many of those with a history of child predidation "Get" totally "Cured"?
Thsnks
RC
RC,
I am sure Zamdad will answer.. but considering I am a Sheriff's Deputy and have been closely working in and with our child/sex offenders crime division I thought I'd go ahead and chime in.. the stats for a pedo to be totally rehabbed is nearly 0. I do not have any concrete stats or studies to present right now to substantiate my claim.
But the recidivism rate for child sex offenders is extremely high.
Jesus can indeed forgive them, sure. But I won't be taking my innocent child anywhere near one nor allow one that is not permitted to be near children to do just that.
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PERCUSSIONLOVER
SURFIN FOR JESUS
CONGA MAN
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RE: SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CHURCH.... - 4/11/2008 9:51:45 AM
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