Church provides aid to molestor..

Dave H · 03-30-2007, 04:15 PM

I came across this story today:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...0103/703290453

If you read this, read a page or two of the comments people have left. On one hand, it's hard to disagree with those who have left the church (and most of those who commented), yet on the other hand, this church seems to be trying to do what Christ commanded us to do.

I'm really curious to see what some of your reactions are...

smhatahy · 03-30-2007, 04:28 PM

I think it's a good thing that the church is doing, but i understand that the situation is very awkward if the victim is still at the church.

"The charges can carry a penalty of 42 to 108 years in prison."

Is that a typo? Should it be months, cause i think that would be a little excessive for a molestation charge.

JerryLove · 03-30-2007, 06:56 PM

I have trouble calling most any jailterm for a child molestor "too severe".

tropicana · 03-30-2007, 08:17 PM

Why is the family whose daughter was violated being alienated when the church congregation is being told to "love and forgive" the man who (since he hasn't been convicted yet, I feel I should add an "allegedly", or at least an "admitted") molested a little girl and then lied about it?
Would they do the same thing for a man who had raped an adult woman in the congregation?
Way to support the perpetrator over the victim, there.

JerryLove · 03-30-2007, 09:11 PM

In fairness, assuming he's accepted Jesus, God's response will be to let him into heaven along with the rest.

Personally, I'm all for a little "we forgive you, but we cannot allow anyone to think such behavior is acceptable... now get in your cell".

tropicana · 03-30-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

In fairness, assuming he's accepted Jesus, God's response will be to let him into heaven along with the rest.

Personally, I'm all for a little "we forgive you, but we cannot allow anyone to think such behavior is acceptable... now get in your cell".

Well, in the Christian heaven, nobody molests children.

But this isn't heaven, and there should be consequences for his actions, and I'm perfectly happy letting him rot in his cell for the thirty to forty years he has left on this mortal coil. I would be extremely suspicious of any family-oriented organization that would put someone who admitted to paedophilia and little kids together. You know, like "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me".

Lightknight · 03-30-2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

I have trouble calling most any jailterm for a child molestor "too severe".

Yeah, I have always found the punishments for child molesting and rape to be ridiculously light slaps on the wrist.

Nate · 03-30-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akshay

Is that a typo? Should it be months, cause i think that would be a little excessive for a molestation charge.

Not considering that the Mosaic Law would probably have him stoned. There's no crime I'd rather see the death penalty applied to than child molestation... not even murder itself.

JerryLove · 03-30-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Not considering that the Mosaic Law would probably have him stoned. There's no crime I'd rather see the death penalty applied to than child molestation... not even murder itself.

More likely it would have him marry her. Though I don't know that the Bible sets a clear minimum age on that.

bobthecockroach · 03-31-2007, 12:03 AM

Wait... it's going to trial? Doesn't that mean he plead innocent?

Lightknight · 03-31-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

More likely it would have him marry her. Though I don't know that the Bible sets a clear minimum age on that.

They had cultural norms for what ages were appropriate just like today. I seem to remember some popular Jewish literature (ancient) that I came across talking about such a thing as this were there was certainly an age where it was too young and the man was subsequently stoned. But that book wasn't canonized in 70 a.d. for whatever reason. I'll sort through my notes from the class, I'm sure I referenced it in them. But if someone else knows what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate the help. It's a pre-exilic prophet in Judah.

**H.M. Murdock** · 03-31-2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

I have trouble calling most any jailterm for a child molestor "too severe".

I concur.
I think that a church should aid a child molester spiritually, but the man belongs in jail simply because the law says so and scripture gives us no precedent under which to disobey the law in this sort of situation. Personally, I think the child's family should be ministered to as well on a number of levels and the old boy should be slapped behind bars (to be visited and ministered to by the church).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julia

I would be extremely suspicious of any family-oriented organization that would put someone who admitted to paedophilia and little kids together. You know, like "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me".

Except more like, "Fool me once, a child's life is horribly marred, fool me twice, two children are that much more likely to become sexually victimized deviants."
Oops!

Ax · 04-01-2007, 01:44 PM

Are we not supposed to forgive? I think the church's actions are right... the victim's family is obviously not forgiving... However... I do agree that the death penalty should come from a repeated molestation case and possibly the first, depending on the situation...

Dave H · 04-01-2007, 03:38 PM

I'm inclined to say that the church is doing the right thing to a degree. I think it's right in that they haven't thrown the accused out on his keister and seem to have an interest in helping one of the flock who has made a terrible mistake. That being said, I don't hear anyone from the church calling for the guy not to be punished. Everyone seems to understand that he's going to prison to pay the consequences of his actions.

What is to bad is that the family of the victim feels that they were not cared for adequately and they and others have left as a result. Although from reading the articles, it seems that maybe the only way they would have been satisfied is if the church threw guy out on his keister - which seems to put the church in a bit of a catch 22.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 04-01-2007, 04:05 PM

question. Has he been convicted?

*edit*

after reading again I wonder if the church has followed protocol for church discipline. It seems insane to me to choose to hep the molester over the molested and their family.