Should Sex Offenders Be Barred from Church?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Maybe they could make a provision in the law that makes exceptions if the sex offender is under constant supervision/observation by someone qualified, then they could attend church services where children are present? I think it should also be left to the discretion of the church - as long as the church and congregation know the sex offender's past, they should be able to decide whether he/she be allowed to attend services.

MC brings up an important point - that our society has no long term or permanent solution to integrating sex offenders back into society. If statistically, it is impossible to rehabilitate them, then we better be prepared to spend money on keeping them in prison for life. Can a sex offender be stopped from offending ever again short of a life sentence?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why not? I'm just observing what I see. My opinion on the subject at hand is purely practical.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Lets not forget that a 17 year old girl can get herself onto a sex offender list just by taking a photo of herself and passing it on to others. She gets nailed for creating and disseminating child pornography.

She should be punished just for being a fvcking idiot. -- sorry, bad joke, couldn't help myself.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Maybe they could make a provision in the law that makes exceptions if the sex offender is under constant supervision/observation by someone qualified, then they could attend church services where children are present? I think it should also be left to the discretion of the church - as long as the church and congregation know the sex offender's past, they should be able to decide whether he/she be allowed to attend services.

MC brings up an important point - that our society has no long term or permanent solution to integrating sex offenders back into society. If statistically, it is impossible to rehabilitate them, then we better be prepared to spend money on keeping them in prison for life. Can a sex offender be stopped from offending ever again short of a life sentence?

What I am curious about is why a distinction must be made in the case of these crimes and not say burglary, robbery, assault or fraud.

I just think its inherently dodgy to slap badges on people identifying them in public on the basis of what they've done.

[Danno 1,228]

This describes Pikes take on this subject quite well.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Maybe they could make a provision in the law that makes exceptions if the sex offender is under constant supervision/observation by someone qualified, then they could attend church services where children are present? I think it should also be left to the discretion of the church - as long as the church and congregation know the sex offender's past, they should be able to decide whether he/she be allowed to attend services.

MC brings up an important point - that our society has no long term or permanent solution to integrating sex offenders back into society. If statistically, it is impossible to rehabilitate them, then we better be prepared to spend money on keeping them in prison for life. Can a sex offender be stopped from offending ever again short of a life sentence?

What I am curious about is why a distinction must be made in the case of these crimes and not say burglary, robbery, assault or fraud.

I just think its inherently dodgy to slap badges on people identifying them in public on the basis of what they've done.

Because sex offenders (rapists, pedophiles) - their behavior is beyond just making bad choices. They have a propensity to victimize people for their own sick gratification.

As for the labels - those certainly can be revised so that only true rapists and pedophiles be designated as such.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'd worry more about your own opinion than mine, Danno.

Because sex offenders (rapists, pedophiles) - their behavior is beyond just making bad choices. They have a propensity to victimize people for their own sick gratification.

Which again goes back to either toughening up laws to keep them in jail (very difficult) or finding non-confrontational ways to co-exist.

[Darnell 8,478]

IMO, the offender knew exactly what he was doing, before he did it.

He should try to find a church without children, if he wants to worship his god, right?

[Peikko 1,575]

Call me old fashioned, but I didn't think it was up to the church to decide who was and wasn't fit in this way. It opens some very dangerous doors. It was my understanding, way back when was that when one entered the doors of a church one was allowed to assume complete anonymity, should that be ones choice. Perhaps the better choice would be to keep children out of church?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Call me old fashioned, but I didn't think it was up to the church to decide who was and wasn't fit in this way. It opens some very dangerous doors. It was my understanding, way back when was that when one entered the doors of a church one was allowed to assume complete anonymity, should that be ones choice. Perhaps the better choice would be to keep children out of church?

Yeah I thought the church was supposed to welcome people equally without discrimination or judgment.

Edited October 14, 2009 by Gene Hunt

[Peikko 1,575]

Perhaps it has something to do with my CofE background, where churches are not private property and everyone had access to the property, at least until people started stealing candlesticks

Call me old fashioned, but I didn't think it was up to the church to decide who was and wasn't fit in this way. It opens some very dangerous doors. It was my understanding, way back when was that when one entered the doors of a church one was allowed to assume complete anonymity, should that be ones choice. Perhaps the better choice would be to keep children out of church?

Yeah I thought the church was supposed to welcome people equally without discrimination or judgment.

To be fair, I am not sure that the congregation must behave this way, but the minister certainly. Of course some churches have requirements for their members to attend holy communion - might cause a few problems.

[Danno 1,228]

Perhaps it has something to do with my CofE background, where churches are not private property and everyone had access to the property, at least until people started stealing candlesticks

Call me old fashioned, but I didn't think it was up to the church to decide who was and wasn't fit in this way. It opens some very dangerous doors. It was my understanding, way back when was that when one entered the doors of a church one was allowed to assume complete anonymity, should that be ones choice. Perhaps the better choice would be to keep children out of church?

Yeah I thought the church was supposed to welcome people equally without discrimination or judgment.

To be fair, I am not sure that the congregation must behave this way, but the minister certainly. Of course some churches have requirements for their members to attend holy communion - might cause a few problems.

IIRCC, there are guidelines given in the New Testament concerning Running certain people out of the Church.... seems this "open the church doors to any and all" concept which is oft thought to be some rule...is not consistent with Scripture nor Church practice.

I doubt many churches would not try to offer some type of "out reach" to such a person if he really desired it.

We keep talking about "Churches" as if we are a "Christian only" nation.

All these same questions would apply to any house of faith.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Probably because the article refers specifically to an incident that took place that involved a church. Go figure.

Edited October 14, 2009 by Gene Hunt

[Peikko 1,575]

Danno logic again.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

I am truly sorry to hear about Joe's sisters. I am.

Yet, chemical castration does not solve the psychological roots of child molestation; at all. Try again.

I never claimed that it solved the psychological roots. If you would so kindly bring up that post.

You guys are pros at twisting whatever someone says

Again the data shows that castration works to stop recidivism

Kindly bringing up said post. Your words:

I'm for what Poland just did. Allow for the chemical castration of sex offenders, and then there's nothing to worry about.

The words psychological roots were never in there. You need to really grasp at something less slippery.