Does a church have the right to deny membership to a Rapist or murder?

Question

Isn't denying memebership trying to play God?

Lets say that the applicant has confess his sins.

Answer 1

No! We are not God!

Answer 2

I don't think a church would deny membership to a repentant rapist or murder who had made what little restitution he could by going to jail or submitting to whatever punishment society laid on him. If he was still in jail, they would probably even be willing to support a jail ministry so he could fellowship with other believers and be taught righteousness while he was still there.
That being said, if you have an unrepentant rapist or murderer, they can deny membership to him, either on the grounds that he wasn't a Christian (since membership is only open to Christians), or by kicking him out. Remember, to become a Christian, you have to repent of your sins.
If he was already a Christian when he committed those sins, there is a scripture recommending casting unrepentant sinners (in certain circumstances) out of the church, and that would apply here.

Answer 3

Membership to what -- a denomination or the Church? Either way, the answer is Absolutely Not. Who can dare deny anyone to become a child of God?! God's invitation is to everyone; the invitation was given even to Hitler. King David was an adulterer, a murderer, and a cowardly liar. But he was forgiven by God, and is called a man after God's own heart.

Answer 4

I am not sure about all churches but in the Church of England the vicar owns the church as the vicar not as a person. So as the owner of the building he can exclude anybody he likes. I am not sure about membership as I don't think there is any formal membership of a church to be excluded from

Answer 5

Membership in a church should be limited to only those who are members of His Church.

That should be done on a case by case basis.

Those who have repented of those sins and have been saved should be treated differently than those who still think its ok to do those sins.

Pastor Art

Answer 6

Yes, Mt answer may surprise many but who or what is the church for? It's for sinners, how are they going to get salvation if you try to shut off Jesus Christ from them, the church is for sinners! Paul was a notorious murderer of Christians and he was transformed, who are we to judge one another, can we read the heart. Can we be God also and sinful our selves.

Answer 7

Yes, absolutely. No one would want to go to services when they might be sitting/standing next to a murderer or rapist. People who commit murder or rape do so consciously, of their own free will; the victim has no choice in the matter, they don;t get to choose whether or not they want to be a victim...but the murderer or rapist does have that choice. When they choose to commit one or both of those crimes, they automatically give up their own rights.

Answer 8

Yes, it is a free country and a church is a private organization with all the rights of you and I.

Answer 9

There is no law against as far as I know. Some churches are pretty exclusive clubs.

Answer 10

think about it, these are congregations of families, they have the duty to protect their lifestyle and fellowship within the church. but they shouldn't just turn people away. at least get to know them and if they've come to Christ and repented... its all relevant in that case.

Answer 11

Everyone has the right to hypocrisy.

*edit* I would like to remind Steve (the first answer) that in the USA churches recieve non-profit status, which may impact their 'right' to limit access.