Ok, Is someone who has a credit card spending problem really as bad as a sex offender?

Question

I have a serious credit card problem and am deliquent many months with collectors calling. I have a friend whom is aware of my situation. He is involved in prison ministries and actually believes that criminals just change and become good people after he leads them to God. I mentioned a concern about a sex offender (he molested 2 girls on 2 different occasions) who moved in where my daughter lives. She is a young teenager and my mom (whom she lives with) is concerned about her being out alone since he is considered high risk. I mentioned this concern to my friend and he said I have nothing to worry about because offenders never re offend (yeah right) and compared this sex offender's problem with my overspending problem. I really don't appreciate being compared to a sex offender. I think there are different degrees of sin and wrongdoing where he thinks they are all equal, for example, he says there is no difference if telling a white lie than there is murdering someone.

Let me add that the sex offender lives in the same apartment complex as my daughter, just accross the parking lot.

Answer 1

You have a legitimate concern. Especially since you are worried about your daughter, not you.

Technically, all sin is the same because all sin is rebelling against, and mocking God in a way, but I disagree with him that all sin is equal, because not all sin has the same consequences. If someone won't pay me back the money that they own me, well, I'll get over it. But if someone physically violated me, well, that would do more lasting damage to my psychology.

And sexual addictions, I believe, are harder to overcome than gambling addictions or spending addictions since often the cause is physical, not just mental (some sex offenders, but not all, literally have brain damage to their frontal lobe).

I wouldn't be mean to this person, but I would not want my daughter to be there alone with this person around, either. I would want to move. I think that you have a legitimate concern, and a pure motive, since you are worried about your daughter, not just you.

=====edit====

A number of British newspapers are running this story today [Dec. 2006]:

"A Christian newly-wed has filed a £3.5 million compensation claim against his employers, saying that his marriage was ruined because his sex drive spiralled out of control after he injured his head at work. Stephen Tame…claims that the accident led to severe sexual disinhibition, which is destroying his marriage. His wife, Sarah…has had to spend nights away from him “to get some respite”, and he has resorted to using pornography and visiting a prostitute…Mr Tame’s lawyers say that his behaviour has [also] become rude and physically aggressive."

None of the news stories give details of the man’s injuries, but it is most likely that he sustained damage his frontal lobes in the accident. It is well established that frontal lobe lesions can cause personality changes and disruptions in various aspects of social cognition, leading to inappropriate sexual behaviour or violent or criminal behaviour.....

Answer 2

To a bank, I'm sure someone who defaults on the credit card payments is WORSE than a sex offender who pays his bills!

But yes, harming a person is much worse than not paying your bills.

As to whether convicted sex offenders will repeat, I think it depends a lot on what sex crime they committed. Some behavior is just an outward display of inner compulsions, and those compulsions don't go away just because someone went to jail. Your friend's argument is self-contradictory, because if he's comparing your overspending to someone else's sex crimes, then he's saying you both have difficulty controlling what you do.

Perhaps what he's saying is that everyone is flawed and everyone is a sinner, and we all need some mercy and a second chance?

Answer 3

wow..your friend needs to get a grip and get his head out of the clouds. you should also get your spending problems under wraps. and if the child molester is at high risk...he shouldn't be anywhere near children (schools, neighbors, day cares...etc) maybe you should try and contact his P.O. or go to the local police dept and ask questions about that matter. one thing your friend is right about. people do change. we have no idea what's going on in a person's heart or mind so we shouldn't judge them on their past. people do mess up...but people can change.

Answer 4

worse than a sex offender....I would never let that person into my home....imagine if the kids saw that!!!!

you minister is an idiot...God told me

Answer 5

Your friend needs to get a better grip on reality.

Answer 6

Your friend is a narrow-minded fool.