Forgiveness and compassion for both Victim and sinner?

Question

I just received a letter from our pastor that the school teacher that just recently served 2 years and was convicted of intent for child molestation is returning to our church and community. His family has forgiven him and the preachers have said that he has asked for forgiveness from our loving Lord. The letter was very moving and we as church members are to welcome him with open arms. Of course he will have all of the restrictions that a child molester must endure including never teaching again. What would your reaction be to the slippery slope he started down and the amount of trust the church should allow?

By the way....(Personally, I chose to forgive) but that is just me. I'm not sure however If I was the parent if that would be so easy. You will not offend me, by anymeans with whatever you say. I just want to know what the majority of you guys say, that's all.

Here's a twist...
I needed to ask a few more questions before I could truly find a resolution...so I aked the following questions to the church......



1) Age of man (“I’ll guess late 30’s / early 40’s”.) I believe he has three boys that attend Saint ***** (kindergarten through 8th)

2) Age of girl - (I will guess teen ager that in reality was a cop and that was how he was caught.)

3) was he a member to the church at the time (Yes and a school teacher at our Saint **** school. I think those that were exposed to him thought something was wrong (like the principal that kept trying to catch him on-line at school). I found him very aloof and could not look you in the eye.

4) any history on his back ground. No.

So........now...what you guys think? I smell a setup from the police and school?

Answer 1

this is a very tough decision, and I wouldn't know how to actually approach such a question. I will be shocked, and angry at the same time, but the Lord does forgive, so why don't we? also, the restrictions should be that the person convicted will not be allowed around children of course, but he should have to earn the trust of the church and community again. But that is another question and challenge: how do we trust someone like that again? I honestly don't think i would be able to trust him around my child, but I wouldn't treat him differently from my other pupils.

Answer 2

I believe there is room ofr forginveness, and forgiveness includes welcoming and real love. Those who do not have small children should welcome into their homes. If his repentance is sincere, he will not want to be in situations where he is alone around small children, and he will understand parental concerns, and even approve them.
Can he change? Of course he can change. However we cannot see his heart, and every parent has a first duty to protect their children, and the church has the same duty. So I agree, don't leave him alone around small children, and ask him to refrain from any behaviour that could even be worrisome to anybody - that's the part he will just have to live with for the rest of his life.

Answer 3

Forget that crap........you forgive him....fine, welcome him....na I don't think so. Being ostracized for what he did or had the desire to do is his burden to bare. You are not condemning his everlasting sole, just his action here on earth. Do you really think he hasn't molested anyone? Do you honestly believe this is the first time he ever thought or attempted to act on it? Its just the first time he was caught.....thats all. I would not attend a church that told me I had to accept him into my midst.....I do not, I have the choice to find a new church. Where two or three gather in my name I shall be.....the quote is something like that......so you and your family can worship at home together where you know your children are safe.

Answer 4

all types, sense approximately it, even in secular words without keeping the bible i'm going to be waiting to respond this one there is an ole asserting that Adversity if the mummy of invention, conflict case in point is perpetually a foul element, yet look on the advances we made n conflict, Medicnes and technologies, I advise somewhat ? we'd have in no way are transforming into this some distance if it weren't for our being at each others throats ? As for ailments? those tension us to sense, attempt and encourage us to beat, aspects us to boost in skills, maintains us from being too complacent. From a Biblical Christian perspective ? I evaluate that the respond is two-fold. One, at last, no person is innocuous. All have sinned and fallen in need of the honor of God (Rom. 3:23) and are via utilising nature toddlers of wrath (Eph. 2:3). there is none innocuous. nonetheless it incredibly is biblically stunning, it would not fulfill the question emotionally. Why do little toddlers undergo for concerns they have now no longer achieved? I could prevalent that I have not have been given any concept. ultimately, we could have self assurance God who is conscious the beginning up from the top and sees the grand photograph. he's going to have the main suitable word and he's going to be vindicated. In end ? suffering is the end results of human sin. the international isn't the final way that God created it and for the explanation that of that, all are in threat of the implications of sin in the international. Why does one guy or lady undergo and an extra does no longer? Why do catastrophes ensue to 3 and to no longer others? it incredibly is because sin is in the international. yet there'll come an afternoon whilst the Lord will return and cleanse this international of all sin and all suffering. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there'll be no extra beneficial dying, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be to any volume extra beneficial pain: for the previous issues are gave up the ghost," (Rev. 21:4).

Answer 5

I think the church is wrong. You can pray for him, but He is the very lowest form of evil,these people should never be released
into society.He will harm- destroy more innocent children, i.e.
a leopard does not change his spots.reading other answers a lot of people have this wrong.forgive, pray for enemies yes,but we are
also taught if they do not accept the word, shake the dust off your feet.walk away. We were never told to forgive Satan !!!
This man represents all that is evil. I wonder what church you belong to.

Answer 6

Your church has a heavy duty trial. This is a big test for the congregation to see where your trust and faith is. Every one should keep in prayer and be obediant to God. Yes it will be hard. Let God take control over this matter.

Answer 7

Yes forgiveness is wonderful but, in this case be watchful too as I understand this is very hard if not impossible to cure. There will always be that damage to the soul.

Answer 8

As Christians we need to forgive because the Lord forgave us, and I think you should allow him to come back, but not teach again. He needs to win everybodys trust again and that could take years. I would just let him sit and listen to the sermons and get feed by the Word of God. He needs that.

Answer 9

He is a child molester and always will be, yes forgive him and be friendly but never allow him around your children.

Answer 10

as a christian I know we must forgive yes I would let the past be over but be wary of letting him babys sit keep praying for him. I do not have any young children now