Why would or wouldn't you forgive this person?

Question

Christians claim that you will go to hell if you do certain things. At the same time they say that God is forgiving and that everybody deserves a chance at forgiveness. So answer me this:

If a known, proven, and admitted (I repeat known, proven and admitted) serial child rapist is released from prison and moves to your neighborhood would you worry (whether you have children or not)? Would you give this person a chance at forgiveness as God would? Would you ask your community to take action against this man - have him thrown out of the neighborhood? Would you say hello to this person when you see them in the front yard (which would be the mildest of acts of forgiveness)?

I ask this question because of another question I read where somebody asked if you would help a known child sex offender if you saw them have a heart attack on the street. Would you assist in any way? Would you call 911 for this sex offender? I was surprised to see that most people responded that they would because

“they are people too” and “they deserve kindness because God/Jesus would have offered kindness.” I’m just curious if people actually “practice what they preach.”

Answer 1

There is a difference between forgiveness, unwarranted trust, and complete stupidity.

If this hypothetical person moved into my neighborhood, I certainly would forgive him, but he would have to earn my trust nonetheless. If I saw this person, the situation allowed it, and the person did not seem opposed to my doing so, I would not hesitate to say hello.

By the way, if I saw a known child sex offender having a heart attack on the street, I certainly would help him! If I had a phone, I could call 911. If not, I would yell for help or try to find a phone to call 911. Regardless of this person's past, I'm not sure what else I could do beyond finding a way to call 911, but that has nothing to do with forgiveness. Anyway, that's a no-brainer for me. Ever see the final episode of Seinfield?

Of course, I can say anything, but what matters is what I do. I've never found myself in a situation like the ones you mentioned, so I cannot say I've ever done what I say I would do.

Answer 2

First of all, It would be helpful if you only asked one or two questions instead of 6 or 7, but I'll give it a shot.

1) I think it would be natural for parents to worry about a child molestor living in their neighborhood, especially if they have children. I don't see how any reasonable parent wouldn't. Don't you think farmer would worry about putting a fox in charge of his hen house?

2) Of course I would give this person a chance at forgiveness. I've forgiven people in my life who have done some really reprehensible things to people, myself included. Every person will eventually perish from the Earth and have their day in judgement with God, and the Jesus said that if we show mercy onto others then we will be shown mercy. In fact, forgiveness was the entire purpose of Christ's existence (to come and pay the price for our sins so that we may become forgiven).

3) I would or would not have the community take action against him. That's way too broad a hypothetical. It would depend on the circumstances.

For example, if he was living in a neighborhood heavily populated with young children, was recently released from prison, and hasn't had any professional help, then it would be VERY inappropriate for him to live in that neighborhood, and I would have the community take action. Would you want a convicted child molestor who hasn't been rehabilitated to be living amongst a large population of young children?

4) Yes, I would say hello to this person. I've said hello and been cordial to people who have done some reprehensible things. E.g.: a man who broke into his own parents house and assaulted and battered them, a man with three felonies on his record including one for armed robbery, a woman who had 4 abortions before the age of 20, etc.

5) Of course I would assist if I saw one having a heart attack in the street. A child molestor is still a person, albeit it a very sick and disgusting one. It would be hypocritical to take a stand for innocent life but stand by and let someone go through an agonizing death.

6) Yes. For the same reason as #5.

One last thing:

A lot of people on here who like to ask "religious" people questions can't distinguish between trust and forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a GRACE that is bestowed upon someone who has done something wrong, because forgiving someone is a duty and responsibility clearly laid down by Christ to his followers.

Trust is something that has to be EARNED. Once someone has been forgiven for doing something wrong, it is his responsibility to earn back trust. This includes the child molestor. Just because someone has forgiven a child molestor doesn't mean that he's somehow obligated to let the child molestor spend time with his kid, nevermind spend time alone with his kid.

I hope this sheds some light for you. God bless.

Answer 3

Although I would be very concerned, I would help the person if I saw them in need on the street. I honestly do not know if I could forgive a person for mistreating a child, although God does say to forgive. If he moved into my neighborhood, I would really be on my toes and make sure my children were with me at all times. I would probablly speak if spoken to, but I would not go out of my way to be nice to him. Usually child molesters are repeat offenders and once they are released, it is only a matter of time before they do it again.

That is a tough question and really hard to answer unless it actually happens.

Answer 4

There is a difference between forgiveness and action. The child molester would need to receive forgiveness from God and the family he destroyed. How could any one in a neighborhood forgive him for acts not done against them?

Although people deserve a second chance, you must also protect yourself and your family. Each crime deserves a punishment (God is OK with punishment). Therefore, if the punishment for child predators is to be ostracized by the public, that is something they must live with.

A good Christian steward would help the person find a place to live that was free of temptation and ensure the person began a good daily devotion with God.

Answer 5

Well, it would be very difficult, but life is already difficult, and you will have to fight with your thoughts and decide what to do, if it was me and the dude had a heart attack I would call 911, I couldn't ask God for forgiveness if I let someone die, or at least it would be hard to, and I wouldn't try to kick him out of the neighborhood, but then again I honestly would stay away from him, unless if he went to Church, then I might say hello, but it's just all so difficult to do the right thing sometimes, so that's when I ask God to help me out

Answer 6

Most people, especially Christians think they have a right to forgive even if they weren't victims. The question would get different answers if addressed to the children that were violated. So, if a victim chooses not to be forgiving of the violator will the victim go to hell? Will these people feel compelled to forgive the victim for hating the person that violated them? Funny how that certain faith can send a victim of a horrendous crime to hell, eh?

In my opinion raping a child is unforgivable and I would not feel guilty for not helping a known rapist. I am human and I have my biases so do I deserve then forgiveness from Christians for not forgiving the rapist? Will I go to hell?

Answer 7

I would not ask the community to throw him out because as you have stated, he was released from prison therefore, I take it to mean that he has served the sentence for his crime. But I will be more cautious if he is around. You see, forgiving is different from forgetting. As for saying hello if I saw him in my frontyard, may be I could not do that specially so if we do not know each other.

Answer 8

Not being a Christian, I don't know if I'm supposed to answer this, but no, I wouldn't forgive this man or give him a chance at forgiveness. He made a conscious decision, multiple times, to inflict pain and suffering on defenseless children. I don't believe he deserves another chance to make that same decision again.

Answer 9

I know of a case where a young American woman was raped and murdered in South Africa. Her parents (I think they're Christians) travelled to South Africa to meet the guys who murdered her, and to tell them that they forgive them. These guys were so touched that their lives were totally changed, and they also apologized.

What better example of how the principles Jesus taught are radical and revolutionary, but can change the world for the better.

Answer 10

Jesus died for the sins of that man, just as He died for our sins. God doesn't generalize sin. Sin is sin. However, I wouldn't want an individual like this in areas where he has easy access to children. That's not unforgiveness.