Ex-pedophiliacs teach children's Sunday School?

I won't knowingly let that happen with my kids, I don't need scripture to back that one up, but I'm sure I could find some somewhere if I look hard enough. It's not just that I would be concerned for my children but also that the pedophile wouldn't be subject to the temptation. I have to look at it this way, I wouldn't hire a man who used to be a druggie, to work in a drugstore warehouse.

Brother Ricky

 

The percentage of re-offences is too high to risk giving responsibility of youngsters to such a person. It might be possible in a two-teacher situation, where there is always supervision.

We once said in Bible College, that all may be born again, but we shouldn't leave the temptation of a ten dollar bill laying about.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Is it a matter of pedophilia or situational sexual abuse?

If it's pedophilia, then absolutely not since pedophilia, by it's very nature, is compulsive.

 

No! It is called a reality check.


1. Repeat offences are too high...criminality fact.

2. We ought not to allow a temptation that may be greater than one can avoid.

3. It would be unfair to him. The slightest hint of untoward action would bring the ceiling down on him, guilty or innocent.

God's leading is often our inclination, and how do we separate the two? Does God call, or do we desire? We cannot prove this either way, so let's err on the side of what appears to be the right thing. Sorry, not in my Sunday School. If he wants to teach adults, that might be very profitable. Still, it takes years to establish one's Christian life. We may be forgiven by God, but there is still a human life involved.

Cheers,

Jim

 

No offense Don, but I believe God is smarter than that. I would definitely question his calling, that is, what he says it is. Here James 1:13 applies: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man"

 

I think the applicable scriptures would be Romans 13, plus 1 Cor 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order."

Romans 13, because I am reasonably certain that there are at least some states which outlaw assigning convicted pedophiles to work with children. 1 Cor 14:40, because there is no part of allowing a convicted pedophile to work with children which is either decent or in order.

Then there are the practical considerations. Most "church insurance" companies would drop the congregation's coverage in a heartbeat if such a thing was done. When I was pastoring, the company we dealt with was getting ready to require police background checks of all people who worked with children. Most larger churches are doing that now.

 

In the church, yes--teaching children--no.

 

No. If he is truly repentant, he will understand why this is the case.

 

That sounds to me like that's exactly what this person is trying to do. You said convicted which means he has paid his debt to society and he has received counseling. I'm sure he was told to make restitution.

If he is truly saved and his life shows that and he is married and serving the Lord; I would have no problem with he AND his wife teaching children as a couple.

Some rules to protect the church as well as himself might be:
1)Never leave him alone with the children.
2)Absolutely no touching allowed.
3)Possible monitoring.
4)Approval of teaching material.

People commit all kinds of sin. Once they have true repentance, I don't think it's our job to tell them they cannot serve God. The government has obviously deemed him not to be a threat. God has forgiven him; what right do we have to punish him?

I agree with this also. I doubt that he would feel worthy of even asking for such a teaching position.

Just something to think about...
Sue

 

I agree with Jim1999--it is unfair to the pedophile, but not because of the consequences of untoward action, but for the same reason that parents should be concerned, that it is simply throwing him into a situation fraught with temptation. It would be foolish, dangerous and cruel to put him, or allow him to put himself, into such a situation.

 

Previously written:

"People commit all kinds of sin. Once they have true repentance, I don't think it's our job to tell them they cannot serve God. The government has obviously deemed him not to be a threat. God has forgiven him; what right do we have to punish him?"

1. They can serve God all they want, just not within 25 feet of any child.
2. The government does not release people because they do not deem them to be a threat--they release people when their sentence is over. The reason that I had to submit to an FBI background check to be certified to teach in the public schools, and the reason why NO person with a record of pedophilia can hold a teacher's license in my state is because the government assumes that all "former" pedophiles are a danger to re-offend. Cocaine addicts have a much higher cure rate than pedophiles.
3. We are not punishing anyone--we are protecting kids.

 

I think it would be very wrong to allow them to teach, and it would be very wrong, if you knew about it, to tempt that person.

It seems you would be setting up both sides for failure.

God Bless
Sherrie

 

Should ex-pedophiliacs teach children's Sunday School? Absolutely positively and unquestionably NO! Such ones should not even be allowed to come within 100 yards of a child. latterrain77

[ May 25, 2003, 07:42 AM: Message edited by: latterrain77 ]

 

Another point to consider, is that if the is chap is a covicted peodophile, then he would probably not be permitted by state or federal law to approach any children, much less teach a Kids Church.