Child Molestor in the Church

ok here is what I found out about the law in Washington State...Their is no blanket law for every offender. Each case is adjudicated individually. Usually the offender is prohibited from being within X number of feet from a child or children. HOWEVER sometimes there is verbage in the paperwork that would allow them to be in the same area as children IF they had an adult chaperone...

So this person needs to check his paper work if this provision is not in there he can go to the court and petition to have it changed. I am not sure if someone would have to go to court with him and volunteer to be his chaperone or exactly how that works, but there is a way for offenders to be around children and this is what the courts have come up with. Sounds reasonable to me.
Anyway hope this helps.

daveleau said:

The church should let him in. The same goes for all sinners, whether they are rehabilitated murderers, alcoholics, homosexuals, or liars. It is wrong to keep him out of church.

On the other hand, he should not be left with children. He should not participate in ANY child ministry and he should not be allowed to sit near the youth/ children. The pastor should sit down with the man to lay out the ground rules. Pedophiles have been shown to be chronic repeat offenders. So, care should be taken. But, he should not be cast out.

God bless,
Dave

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Well said!

I think it is not up to the Pastor to lay out the ground rules.. The law must be followed. If his paperwork says he can not come within 100 feet of a child then that is just the way it is..Unless (see previous post) he can get it ammended.

d0c markus said:

I cant imagine what it would be like not to be able to participate in these things.

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It sounds like he needs more than just the pastor to visit him. [bible]matthew 25:36[/bible]
It sounds like he is still virtually imprisoned, and he is also sick.

Does he live in or near your town, d0c?

I believe the ban on sex offenders being around children is for life. If the state is not willing to amend his paperwork to allow for a chaperone, what about the Union Gospel Mission. A christian organization of men who meet and minister to each other.... He could be a great help to some of these men who are down and out... A great ministry for him and no children to worry about. i believe there are ways to meet, minister and worship that do not involve your typical local church.

I'm not an expert or anything. I know that a lot of those people are repeat offenders, even after years of staying clean they can snap and give into that sick temptation again.

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This is all I have to know to say that if I had children, no (I'm sorry) but I wouldn't want my kids sitting next to him anywhere, even church. It really is sad.

IloveJesusMyFather3:16 said:

This is all I have to know to say that if I had children, no (I'm sorry) but I wouldn't want my kids sitting next to him anywhere, even church. It really is sad.

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that is sad. do you think thats sinful?

The Lord's Envoy said:

that is sad. do you think thats sinful?

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I do not think it is sinful...prudent.
One thing for me to sit beside him in church, quite another for my children/grandchildren to be in a position where they are sitting beside him.

Moma E said:

I do not think it is sinful...prudent.
One thing for me to sit beside him in church, quite another for my children/grandchildren to be in a position where they are sitting beside him.

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hmm. a thought crossed my mind. If we are to train our children in righteousness, how much of a witness to them would it be if one were to do this.

I whole-heartedly understand what your saying though.

The Lord's Envoy said:

hmm. a thought crossed my mind. If we are to train our children in righteousness, how much of a witness to them would it be if one were to do this.

I whole-heartedly understand what your saying though.

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I also understand your point. I think sometimes as Christians we believe the Godly thing is to accept everyone and show love, acceptance...etc.
I am not so sure about that. I have 2 scriptures to ponder...

1 Tim5:22 Lay hads suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of othr men's sins:keep theyself pure.
For me this means wait and see how his/her behavior pans out. Watch and wait. don't jump the gun.

and 1john 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Now maybe this does not exactly match the situation here..but again I think it teaches prudence...wait, watch be cautious.

If you knew a pit bull was dangerous would you put your child in a fenced yard with it?? To me it seems like a similar situation.
IMHO

interesting. It just seems like the brother is being railroaded for his past sins, even if we are protecting our children. Arent we casting judgement on him presupposing that the Holy Spirit hasnt made him into a new creation, and dubbing him a threat to our children?

On the contrary.

Wouldn't letting him be around children be like inviting an alcoholic to a bar?

fortunatly, one can avoid a bar. One might as well ban him from the grocery store, kids are everywhere.

edit:

Not to mention the bible indicated drunkards arent saved.

The Lord's Envoy said:

fortunatly, one can avoid a bar. One might as well ban him from the grocery store, kids are everywhere.

edit:

Not to mention the bible indicated drunkards arent saved.

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The Lord's Envoy said:

Not to mention the bible indicated drunkards arent saved.

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ummm, huh? What bible is this from and where?

Gold Dragon said:

ummm, huh? What bible is this from and where?

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Let me quote.

1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [ESV]

Alcoholics make a lifestyle out of it. Child Molestors make it a life style habit, someone born of God, may still be tempted, but the Holy Spirit grants self control, and in that same letter, Paul under guidance of the Holy Spirit reassures us that:

1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

The Lord's Envoy said:

Let me quote.

1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [ESV]

Alcoholics make a lifestyle out of it. Child Molestors make it a life style habit, someone born of God, may still be tempted, but the Holy Spirit grants self control, and in that same letter, Paul under guidance of the Holy Spirit reassures us that:

1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

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Please read on in 1 Co 6

ESV - 1 Co 6:9-11

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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Gold Dragon said:

Please read on in 1 Co 6

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exactly, 'such were some of you' as this person were talking about. The Bible is beautiful Brother Dragon.