Harshest just punishment for those who harm children

Lik3

Newbie
Nov 21, 2011
2,809
410
South Carolina
✟94,571.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
About a year or so ago, there was a guy who was about 30 years old or so who was caught naked with a 13 year old boy. The child in question has also been beaten as well. He was kidnapped not THAT far from where I live. It is a five minute drive in fact. The young man was riding his bike and the guy kidnapped him. The good news is the young man was found alive and the guy is serving more than 30 years in prison. The bad news is the young man was found being raped by this person and those who found them had to get the man off of the boy. I am not sure if anyone was deservedly assaulted, the news report did not say. I know that molesters can be saved and can be redeemed for Jesus died for them. How do I separate a person from such evil actions? It seems that Jesus has done so and we are to follow Jesus for He is our Example, no?

I know that I have put up posts and videos about some issues but my question is, should a person who harms a child get the death penalty, yet the child survives, or is this a travesty of the justice system? Such a thing happened to a guy where he raped a child and because of the nature of the crime, got the death penalty instead of a lengthy sentence. On paper, child molesters getting that kind of punishment is great but if the child thankfully is alive, then couldn't there be other harsh punishments for those who harm children?
 

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN

My dad died 1/12/2023. I'm still devastated.
Jul 1, 2007
17,258
5,042
Native Land
✟321,432.00
Country
United States
Faith
Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
On paper, child molesters getting that kind of punishment is great but if the child thankfully is alive, then couldn't there be other harsh punishments for those who harm children?

That child wont always be thankful she or he's alive. That child will have many years of hell. The child will need so much therapy. That child may never really heal from that. Also the child abuser being dead might make the child feel a little safer. I would think the death penalty would also put the child abuser out of his misery.
 
Upvote 0

Autumnleaf

Legend
Jun 18, 2005
24,828
1,034
✟33,297.00
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
There could be all kinds of harsh punishments for such people. Some people have all kinds of revenge inappropriate content fantasies about such things. I think prison is probably the right way to handle it, and other horrible crimes. Prison separates them from society and allows them to get help if they want it. California has a special prison for certain people that they can end up in even after they finish their court imposed sentences. They don't call it a prison but it is one of sorts. I think for some that is the most humane way to deal with them until more effective treatments are discovered.

Coalinga State Hospital - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
  • Like
Reactions: Armoured
Upvote 0

Armoured

So is America great again yet?
Supporter
Aug 31, 2013
34,358
14,061
✟234,967.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
There could be all kinds of harsh punishments for such people. Some people have all kinds of revenge inappropriate content fantasies about such things. I think prison is probably the right way to handle it, and other horrible crimes. Prison separates them from society and allows them to get help if they want it. California has a special prison for certain people that they can end up in even after they finish their court imposed sentences. They don't call it a prison but it is one of sorts. I think for some that is the most humane way to deal with them until more effective treatments are discovered.

Coalinga State Hospital - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's the most reasonable, sensible post I think I've ever seen you write! Have a cookie!
 
Upvote 0

Supernaut

What did they aim for when they missed your heart?
Jun 12, 2009
3,455
282
Sacramento, CA
✟12,439.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Any punishment should be designed to rehabilitate the criminal, serve as a deterrent for potential criminals, and protect society from further harm. Anything else is pointless and cruel.

:thumbsup:
 
Upvote 0

Paradoxum

Liberty, Equality, Solidarity!
Sep 16, 2011
10,712
654
✟28,188.00
Faith
Humanist
Marital Status
Private
Politics
UK-Liberal-Democrats
Execution of a rapist is outright murder.

I see why some people think death is a fair punishment for murder. But death for rape has gone far beyond even an eye for an eye, into bloodlust and unrestrained revenge.

It makes sense to hate child rapists, but we have to make sure we don't become murderous psychopaths ourselves. Aren't we supposed to be better than them?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Cactus Jack

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
1,459
111
somewhere
✟17,259.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
And out of the seven responders & OP, how many have actually been raped or molested?
Having been there as a kid, remembering what I went through and how it still affects me to day 40 years later....

I know that more often than not the perp is only repeating what they experienced when they were younger. So for me to say they should be (insert execution method) may soothe my feelings, however they were still victims themselves once before.

I will never understand how being a victim pushes one into being a perp later on, but it does happen. But to punish a perp, in these circumstances, really is no different than punishing the child for being a victim.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Supernaut

What did they aim for when they missed your heart?
Jun 12, 2009
3,455
282
Sacramento, CA
✟12,439.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
And out of the seven responders & OP, how many have actually been raped or molested?
Having been there as a kid, remembering what I went through and how it still affects me to day 40 years later....

I know that more often than not the perp is only repeating what they experienced when they were younger. So for me to say they should be "whatever" may soothe my feelings, however they were still victims themselves once before.

I will never understand how being a victim pushes one into being a perp later on, but it does happen. But to punish a perp, in these circumstances, really is no different than punishing the child for being a victim.

I was molested for 11 years of my childhood. I support rehabilitation. If that is unsuccessful, then lock up indefinitely.
 
Upvote 0

MehGuy

A member of the less neotenous sex..
Supporter
Jul 23, 2007
55,889
10,812
Minnesota
✟1,154,935.00
Country
United States
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Feed them to the lions.

I was abused as a child. Thankfully I managed to not care anymore. I literally made a decision that it wasn't my fault and feeling guilty wasn't justified or rational, and poof I got over it. Sadly some people can't.
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: anna ~ grace
Upvote 0

Supernaut

What did they aim for when they missed your heart?
Jun 12, 2009
3,455
282
Sacramento, CA
✟12,439.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
It heartens me to see that actual victims of abuse are not supportive of the rabid revenge inappropriate content fantasies some have.

I have never been that good at wishing harm on others. I figured there is always a rational explanation for why it happened.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

JohnLocke

Regular Member
Sep 23, 2006
926
145
✟9,448.00
Country
United States
Faith
Seeker
Marital Status
Celibate
Politics
US-Libertarian
1. Every state in the United States has a "defense of others" defense that renders one immune from prosecution if one uses force to repel an unlawful assault of another. In general, deadly force may be used to repel rape, kidnapping, or homicide. Based on the facts as presented, none of the people who interrupted the rape would be charged.

2. As far as forgiving these monsters, I think you just live with the fact that you are imperfect and ask for divine intervention. I'm really the wrong guy to ask, because my heart is hardened. Even if you, through Grace, were able to forgive such a person, I'm not sure separating the person from their acts is required. Striving to be Christ-like is laudable, but ultimately none of us are going to be perfect like Jesus (unless you subscribe to various heresies like Pelagias).

3. In my state, kidnapping + rape is a capital crime, and no I do not think that such a penalty is a miscarriage of justice.
 
Upvote 0

SoldierOfTheKing

Christian Spenglerian
Jan 6, 2006
9,223
3,039
Kenmore, WA
✟276,939.00
Country
United States
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Married
It's hard for me to think of anything that would be unjustly harsh in that case.

I can understand murder. Murder, heinous as it is, results from normal human emotions getting out of hand. Harming children like that, that requires a special kind of moral perversity.
 
Upvote 0

Strathos

No one important
Dec 11, 2012
12,663
6,531
God's Earth
✟263,276.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Democrat
Execution of a rapist is outright murder.

I see why some people think death is a fair punishment for murder. But death for rape has gone far beyond even an eye for an eye, into bloodlust and unrestrained revenge.

It makes sense to hate child rapists, but we have to make sure we don't become murderous psychopaths ourselves. Aren't we supposed to be better than them?

One could argue that rape could cause more suffering than murder in certain circumstances. Not saying I agree with that, though.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Ave Maria

Ave Maria Gratia Plena
May 31, 2004
41,082
1,968
41
Diocese of Evansville, IN
✟106,997.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
For a long time I have honestly thought that locking up child molesters for the rest of their life would be the best punishment because of the high recidivism rate among child molesters. But surely there is a better option than that. Perhaps they could be let out into society but be kept under constant video surveillance in their home and whenever they leave they must obtain permission from a probation officer and then promptly report back with them when they return. I don't know if this would be a viable or just solution though. All I know is that something must be done to protect children from predators.
 
Upvote 0