Does failing to buckle a child equate to hiding child molestation?
I’ve had a real bad day. I saw this conversation, but frankly, I didn’t believe it. I will not include all of it here – but party 1 has left the fellowship of the church organization. When questioned, repeatedly, he spoke up about recently discovered molestation which had been ‘ignored’ for about 8 months.
I mean, would you really trust a pastor with your spiritual welfare if he failed to reported child molestation for 8 months – and then, relied on someone else to carry it to the authorities. (Before you ask – yes, the pastor knew without a shadow of a doubt that the molestation had happened.)
Once chat line went like this:
It does put the board in a bad position..do we report it or not? What would be best for the church? We don’t want it to seem like some kind of vengence. When we walked out of that meeting we believed that someone else might of taken it to the authorities. Is that what you are getting at?
The ‘board’ is a Bishop Board – pastors from other congregations.
Then, later, the worse:
1: X, while my position has not made me popular – I believe that we must take a stand, and if that stand alienates me, fine – as long as I remain bound in the Scriptures. My position is clear, and Scriptural – and beyond all that, Moral. How often have we seen young people destroyed by molestation. It is a vile and grievous act – and rightly deserves a literal millstone around the neck. Not just that harm the children, but those that refuse to protect them – or deny their own ability to do so. To me, this is the same as taking pleasure in the actions of those that commit these crimes. We criticize the Romans priesthood, but when faced with it, we cower?
1: So often I have heard it preached that we must obey the laws of the land, concerning the death penalty, yet, here there was a question on whether or not to tell the authorities?
2: Is breaking the law breaking the law? Speeding? Not having your kids in seat belts? I am not saying this to bicker with you, but as far as whether the law is broken or not, you really don’t have a leg to stand on..Every time I see your kids without seatbelts, I shudder. That is no less irresponsible of you then reporting molestation. What worse? A child that has been molested, or a child that is dead bloody from going through the windshield? Or how about a nice brain injury that renders the child retarded.
From what I understand Party 2 has seen Party 1′s children without seatbelts twice, maybe three, four times.
Finally, later:
1: Perhaps then, murder is no worse a crime than littering? Or is rape acceptable if the woman was nude?
2: you are missing the point. You are trying to hold Pastor X accountable, but yet you do not obey other points of the law that are equally as dangerous.
So, tell me, do think that not buckling a child up is equal to covering up child molestation? When speaking to some else about this, they noted that not buckling up your child is taking your child into your responsibility – covering up child molestation not only serves to harm the molesteted up allows the molester to seek more victims.
Please be honest and be brutal. Do you agree with Party 2 that if Party 1 failed to buckle his children in, then he cannot hold his pastor accountable for covering up child molestation?
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Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
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Oh. PUL-EEZE.
How dare he (she)?
This is someone trying to throw attention off of the real issue so that the pastor is not held accountable.
Shame on them, and shame on that pastor for not protecting the innocent from a monster.
Plain and simple, it’s evil.
Got it?
Evil.
The only thing that makes me feel good about this story is that one day God gets the last word on it.
Oh. PUL-EEZE.
How dare he (she)?
This is someone trying to throw attention off of the real issue so that the pastor is not held accountable.
Shame on them, and shame on that pastor for not protecting the innocent from a monster.
Plain and simple, it’s evil.
Got it?
Evil.
The only thing that makes me feel good about this story is that one day God gets the last word on it.
Thanks, Heidi – I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t alone on this.
You know how you know that you’re in the right?
When everyone else is standing against you.
Chances are, you’re dead on center.
You know how you know that you’re in the right?
When everyone else is standing against you.
Chances are, you’re dead on center.
…so tell me, where in scripture does it say feel free to duck behind Jesus if you don’t wanna carry out the requirements of the Law? And what logic equates the chance of injury to a child to the KNOWN OCCURRENCE of child molestation? A KNOWN and a possible…hmmm…..the concealment of a felony or a child without a seat belt?…..AND how dare someone claim to be a follower of Christ when he knowingly allow for the possibility, the HIGH PROBABILITY, of the continued sexual abuse of one of the Saviour’s little one. Studies show that abuse reported and known is only the tip of the iceberg, How many other children have not come forward for fear of reprisal? Better go find yourself a millstone….
…so tell me, where in scripture does it say feel free to duck behind Jesus if you don’t wanna carry out the requirements of the Law? And what logic equates the chance of injury to a child to the KNOWN OCCURRENCE of child molestation? A KNOWN and a possible…hmmm…..the concealment of a felony or a child without a seat belt?…..AND how dare someone claim to be a follower of Christ when he knowingly allow for the possibility, the HIGH PROBABILITY, of the continued sexual abuse of one of the Saviour’s little one. Studies show that abuse reported and known is only the tip of the iceberg, How many other children have not come forward for fear of reprisal? Better go find yourself a millstone….
This is a logic question? lol As “Doc” says, the Law of God is always HIS logic!
Fr. R.
This is a logic question? lol As “Doc” says, the Law of God is always HIS logic!
Fr. R.
*That was IS this a logic question?..etc
*That was IS this a logic question?..etc
This is so far off base it’s not even funny. I must admit I have a strong libertarian view when it comes to government mandates on safety, but c’mon, the two aren’t even comparable.
This is so far off base it’s not even funny. I must admit I have a strong libertarian view when it comes to government mandates on safety, but c’mon, the two aren’t even comparable.
So, you are saying I’m not crazy?
We also must add conscience here, I mean the conscience of the moral law of God! (See, St. John 3:19-21) Truth will always move toward light, it must! And here the libertarian might be wrong, I said might?
Fr. R.
We also must add conscience here, I mean the conscience of the moral law of God! (See, St. John 3:19-21) Truth will always move toward light, it must! And here the libertarian might be wrong, I said might?
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert, do you equate not buckling a child in and covering up child molestation?
No, not at all… the moral law of God, will cause the right thing, or the truth here. The sin must be exposed to the light of truth!
Fr. R.
No, not at all… the moral law of God, will cause the right thing, or the truth here. The sin must be exposed to the light of truth!
Fr. R.
I was thinking that the logic of this argument is this – if I had littered, and I knew that the pastor was a child molester, or a murder, etc… I could not say anything to that pastor because I had littered.
Question to My Readers – Child Molestation and Seat Belt Laws http://bit.ly/14nzUS
As 1 John however, there are degrees of sinfulness or sin…(1 John 5:16-17). So in this sense and logic, the sin of molestation is far greater, than to litter, etc.
Fr. R.
As 1 John however, there are degrees of sinfulness or sin…(1 John 5:16-17). So in this sense and logic, the sin of molestation is far greater, than to litter, etc.
Fr. R.
Plain and simple, these people are avoiding what is clear and present — a crime committed against an innocent unable to protect themselves. Yes, not putting children in seatbelts is also a crime, but they are hardly on the same plane. The pastor should speak to the parent in question about his concern over the seatbelts. The pastor should report the greater crime to the proper authorities. Period.
Plain and simple, these people are avoiding what is clear and present — a crime committed against an innocent unable to protect themselves. Yes, not putting children in seatbelts is also a crime, but they are hardly on the same plane. The pastor should speak to the parent in question about his concern over the seatbelts. The pastor should report the greater crime to the proper authorities. Period.
Further, there is responsibility involved. By not reporting the molestation, it allows for the molester to continue – harming others.
Amen, Ginger
Did not I say that also? The sin of molestation is greater! And must be brought to light!
Fr. R.
Did not I say that also? The sin of molestation is greater! And must be brought to light!
Fr. R.
Sorry for the double…cumputer, or the guy behind it? lol
Sorry for the double…cumputer, or the guy behind it? lol
Not a problem – I fixed it.
well, you know how I feel about it – in Scripture we are told to point out sin, in fact to kick out those who do not repent, and not be hypocritical. I dont think its being hypocritical if you tell the police about someone abusing a child, when you are not doing the same.
And no, there’s no comparison between not using seat belts (even if its for the kids) and abusing children.
well, you know how I feel about it – in Scripture we are told to point out sin, in fact to kick out those who do not repent, and not be hypocritical. I dont think its being hypocritical if you tell the police about someone abusing a child, when you are not doing the same.
And no, there’s no comparison between not using seat belts (even if its for the kids) and abusing children.
Thanks, Wb.
I agree with you Polycarp…
I agree with you Polycarp…
Thanks, Y
“you are saying I’m not crazy?”
Well, Polycarp, let’s not get carried away! ; -)
“you are saying I’m not crazy?”
Well, Polycarp, let’s not get carried away! ; -)
There is such a thing as over-analyzing and trying too hard to be smart.
That’s what this buffoon is doing.
Of course there is no comparison. Yes, the guy should buckle his kids’ seat belts. I agree. But that’s very different from THE REAL AND CONTINUING ABUSE OF A CHILD!!!
There is such a thing as over-analyzing and trying too hard to be smart.
That’s what this buffoon is doing.
Of course there is no comparison. Yes, the guy should buckle his kids’ seat belts. I agree. But that’s very different from THE REAL AND CONTINUING ABUSE OF A CHILD!!!
Considering the conversation carried on today in email – it got steadily worse.
What happened? Is the person upset about the blog?
GOOD.
What happened? Is the person upset about the blog?
GOOD.
Just got a few dirty emails
No worries. Sometimes God suggests, prods, etc… and then sometimes, He picks you up and throws you through the door.
The Pastor should be the one receiving the ‘ dirty ‘ e-mails not you!
Covering up and not reporting CHILD MOLESTATION within the church.Shame on him! I wonder if others will follow X out the door? I would not sit under his authority as overseer for another Sunday.Let alone his preaching…
The Pastor should be the one receiving the ‘ dirty ‘ e-mails not you!
Covering up and not reporting CHILD MOLESTATION within the church.Shame on him! I wonder if others will follow X out the door? I would not sit under his authority as overseer for another Sunday.Let alone his preaching…
[...] my readers know, this has been a hot topic issue with me, for various reasons, but here, in this story, I find hope that pastors will be held accountable by our legal system, [...]
Thanks, Heidi – I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t alone on this.
So, you are saying I’m not crazy?
Fr. Robert, do you equate not buckling a child in and covering up child molestation?
I was thinking that the logic of this argument is this – if I had littered, and I knew that the pastor was a child molester, or a murder, etc… I could not say anything to that pastor because I had littered.
Further, there is responsibility involved. By not reporting the molestation, it allows for the molester to continue – harming others.
Amen, Ginger
Not a problem – I fixed it.
Thanks, Wb.
Thanks, Y
Considering the conversation carried on today in email – it got steadily worse.
Just got a few dirty emails
No worries. Sometimes God suggests, prods, etc… and then sometimes, He picks you up and throws you through the door.