Church Issue/Missing Monday
I was listening to NPR the other day (last Thursday I think), and they had this interesting story on, it was about this guy who was a known sex offender - molesting children. He wants to join a church but wants to make sure its ok with the parishners before entering. He told the minister his history (which you don't have to do) and asked the minister to ask the congregation.
The story focused on how the parishners felt. I thought about what I'd feel if it was my local mosque. I think I'd vote to let him stay. This guy knows he has a problem, part of why he wants to join the church is because there is a support network there, to help him when he feels weak, that shows some sort of character and isn't that a good thing? Besides studies show that sex offenders, particularly of the child abusing nature, can never be cured. So what would be the ideal solution of a humane society? I think better for him and society that he be with people, in a psedu-family, rather than being alone. Certainly if he joined the church, he wouldn't be able to work with the kids and parents should be made aware of this situation (plus I wouldn't be surprised if there were people who work with the kids now who could be potential molestors), but I don't think any good can come of denying this person a place to worship and a community.
MISSING MONDAY
Andy Byrd Lundy
Age: 48
Height: 5' 10"
SUBJECT HAS A RECEDING HAIRLINE &HIS EYES MAY ALSO APPEAR GREENMissing From: GRAYSON COUNTY, VA /SOMERSET, NJMissing Since: 11/20/2006
Contact: GRAYSON COUNTY SHERIFF Jerry Wilson 276-773-3214
SUBJECT HAS BEEN WORKING IN NEW JERSEY AND ALTHOUGH OUT OF STATE HAS BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS. LAST CONTACT WAS ON OR ABOUT NOV 20, 2006. ALL HIS BELONGS WERE LEFT AT STAYBRIDGE SUITES OF 260 DAVIDSON LANE, SOMERSET, NJ. SUBJECT DOES HAVE A HISTORY OF DEPRESSION BUT HAS ALWAYS STAYED IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY. LACK OF CONTACT IS TOTALLY OUT OF CHARACTER ESPECIALLY BECAUSE SUBJECT'S MOTHER IS ILL. INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE GRAYSON CO SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN VIRGINIA AND THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPT IN NEW JERSEY.
Very sad story, I pray his family finds him soon. God keep him safe.
posted by Virginia Gal @ 2:04 AM
6 Comments:
Speaking as a parent of 1.5 children, my gut reaction is a resounding "NO". If it was allowed. They would have to have two escorts with them at all times - no exceptions.
As a Christian I know I should have a different attitude. You know, that what would J*sus do stuff.
Guess what? I'm not a deity, I'm human. And if anything ever happened to my children, the perpetrator would have to make very quick amends with G-d before I got a hold of them.
I agree, providing a stable environment where he can interact with others might be a lot better than sitting at home alone just looking out the window and fantasizing.
2. - Internship - would you be interested in hotel/casino stuff? It's somewhat travel related. I could ask around here. Please email - joeinvegas at joethprogrammer dot com.
This is a dilema isn't it! I give him credit to fessing up to the pastor/priest. BUT I dont't think it good for the rest of the congregation to know. Most churches these days have regulations regarding such individuals and they are not to be in leadership positions especially with the children and or disabled.
I agree with the others I dont want them around my grandchildren and would hang em by the toes if they came near them! If they need fellowship with other Christians they should get together with them-the elders. I have had classes on offenders and have learned once an offender always an offender! So stay away from the children!
zero tolerance.
no way.
although i admire your forgiveness.
I have worked with a couple of pedophiles and also mnay, many victims. And, of course, I'm a parent. It's a tough one. But I have to say, I don't think I would deny him access to church. I would make his status public, I would never let him work with the children in anyway, supervised or not, but I would not have a place of worship close its doors. What he did was very wrong, but I still would not deny him access. (And both the men I worked with who had molested children? Still human.)
Maidink - I appreciate the comments, as a non-mother I can't begin to understand where you are coming from, but certainly looking at it from all sides is important.
MizBohemia - Yes, you're right, I don't have kids so my opinion certainly comes from a different point of view. I suppose what my issue is, since we as a society didn't "lock him up and throw away the key" but instead let him out, so what is the best course of action now that he is out? This is where I think having him in my sight is better than having him silent, alone...what's that expression better the enemy you know and see than the one you don't.
Joe - gracias on the internship help, it couldn't have come at a better time! As for the issue at hand, him sitting at home fantazing scares me more than seeing him sitting in a row of men at the front of the mosque.
Mommantor - Your's is the most interesting solution, perhaps an elders only group...to allow him fellowship and hopefully some community to keep him from doing it again, but to be no where near the temptation (the kids).
Naema - oh don't admire me overmuch (but its sweet to think you do), I guess I was just trying to figure out the best solution to this big dilemma.
CSL - Yes closing the doors on a house of worship...I just don't see any good coming from that. To have him closely monitored by more than just his immediate family is more healthy right? You provide an interesting prospective, a mom and a therapist.
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