Is there a Sex Offender Living Next to you?

[under13]

Find out here:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

[themidiroom]

Find out here:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

I heard a debate recently about state sex offender registries.  While people have a right to know if there's a sex offender living near them, why stop at sex offenders.  Maybe we should have registries for theives, drug dealers, con men/women, etc, etc.   Also, I could be wrong but all sex offenders are not interested in harming children.

[under13]

I heard a debate recently about state sex offender registries.  While people have a right to know if there's a sex offender living near them, why stop at sex offenders.  Maybe we should have registries for theives, drug dealers, con men/women, etc, etc.   Also, I could be wrong but all sex offenders are not interested in harming children.

True, a lot of them are into harming adults.
 
I think that may be a good idea, but I dont think drug dealers and thieves are on the same level as rapist and sexual abusers

[themidiroom]

I think that may be a good idea, but I dont think drug dealers and thieves are on the same level as rapist and sexual abusers

Ummm you're right.  drug dealers probably get longer sentences.

[SisterT]

True, a lot of them are into harming adults.
 
I think that may be a good idea, but I dont think drug dealers and thieves are on the same level as rapist and sexual abusers

That's according to the world's view, but according to God, sin is sin.

I agree with you midiroom.

I have mixed emotions about registering offenders. On one hand, I would want to know, but on the other hand, is it really helpful? Does knowing about my neighbor's offenses going to cause me to live in FEAR? Will it make me suspicious of their every move? Will knowing keep unforgiveness in my heart?

We say we want to become more like Christ and grow in grace, but knowing the details of another’s past (whether criminal or not) will keep us in fear and unforgiveness, which ultimately hinders our growth. Satan is clever with his tricks and mind games.

Just a thought. 

[sjonathan02]

That's according to the world's view, but according to God, sin is sin.

I agree with you midiroom.

I have mixed emotions about registering offenders. On one hand, I would want to know, but on the other hand, is it really helpful? Does knowing about my neighbor's offenses going to cause me to live in FEAR? Will it make me suspicious of their every move? Will knowing keep unforgiveness in my heart?

We say we want to become more like Christ and grow in grace, but knowing the details of another’s past (whether criminal or not) will keep us in fear and unforgiveness, which ultimately hinders our growth. Satan is clever with his tricks and mind games.

Just a thought. 

Interesting thought. Quick question, which hand DOES one use?

[SisterT]

Interesting thought. Quick question, which hand DOES one use?

I choose not to live in fear. I also choose not to be a victim. You can become a victim of your own self-inflicted fear.

I work with criminals. I minister at several prisons each month. There are no bars, guards or guns seperating me from the criminal who is doing life and have nothing to lose. I've been in prison during a lockdown. Never have I been afraid.

Precious jewels are usually kept locked up. Criminals, no matter what the offense, are God's precious jewels too. I guess I'm looking at it from a different perspective.


We might know about those who have been locked up because of a register, but what about the serial killer, sex offender, etc., who may live right next to you and just haven't been caught?

I choose not to live in fear! Satan is clever with his tricks and mind games.

[jjblack]

but on the other hand, is it really helpful?

It is my job as a father to protect my children, I should know those that live around me.

I would rather know I was living next to a predator before so I could watch and pray, rather than afterward when it could be to late and the life long damage is done.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour live among you" 

[themidiroom]

That's according to the world's view, but according to God, sin is sin.

I agree with you midiroom.

Why thank  you sister T   
The thing about these sex offender registries is it provides information but what are you supposed to do with it.  And what about the opportunity for a sex offender to be delivered and want to start a new life. 

[under13]

That's according to the world's view, but according to God, sin is sin.

I agree with you midiroom.

I have mixed emotions about registering offenders. On one hand, I would want to know, but on the other hand, is it really helpful? Does knowing about my neighbor's offenses going to cause me to live in FEAR? Will it make me suspicious of their every move? Will knowing keep unforgiveness in my heart?

We say we want to become more like Christ and grow in grace, but knowing the details of another?s past (whether criminal or not) will keep us in fear and unforgiveness, which ultimately hinders our growth. Satan is clever with his tricks and mind games.

Just a thought. 

I have several younger sisters. If there is a guy that lives across the street from us, who likes to rape young women, I think it is beneficial that they know what this guy looks like.

Ummm you're right.  drug dealers probably get longer sentences.

Aint that crazy? Not to downplay Drug dealers they are very detrimental to our communities, but they dont (usually) force people to take drugs. People take them willingly. Nobody willingly gets raped (usaully)

I choose not to live in fear. I also choose not to be a victim. You can become a victim of your own self-inflicted fear.

I work with criminals. I minister at several prisons each month. There are no bars, guards or guns seperating me from the criminal who is doing life and have nothing to lose. I've been in prison during a lockdown. Never have I been afraid.

Precious jewels are usually kept locked up. Criminals, no matter what the offense, are God's precious jewels too. I guess I'm looking at it from a different perspective.


We might know about those who have been locked up because of a register, but what about the serial killer, sex offender, etc., who may live right next to you and just haven't been caught?

I choose not to live in fear! Satan is clever with his tricks and mind games.

I agree, we cant live in fear. That would not be spirtually or emotionally healthy. But I think we have to be aware.

[SisterT]

It is my job as a father to protect my children, I should know those that live around me.

I would rather know I was living next to a predator before so I could watch and pray, rather than afterward when it could be to late and the life long damage is done.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour live among you" 

And then we exert our energy watching and protecting those we know, and totally missed what I already stated:

We might know about those who have been locked up because of a register, but what about the serial killer, sex offender, etc., who may live right next to you and just haven't been caught?

I educated and protect my family, not from CERTAIN PEOPLE, but CERTAIN BEHAVIORS. I think having a register makes us focus on people and live in fear of them. FEAR is unhealthy and keeps us in bondage. Focusing on behaviors keep us free from the bondage of fear and unforgivess.

[themidiroom]

I have several younger sisters. If there is a guy that lives across the street from us, who likes to rape young women, I think it is beneficial that they know what this guy looks like.
Aint that crazy? Not to downplay Drug dealers they are very detrimental to our communities, but they dont (usually) force people to take drugs. People take them willingly. Nobody willingly gets raped (usaully)

I agree, we cant live in fear. That would not be spirtually or emotionally healthy. But I think we have to be aware.

What if the guy that lives across the street likes to kill young women.  Your sisters might be in trouble then as well but oh you won't know about the murderer across the street because everybody is consumed with the sex offender registry.  I'm not even sure if they tell you what type of sexual offense so it could be rape, could be a lude act, or many other things that fall under a sex offense.

[SisterT]

I'm not even sure if they tell you what type of sexual offense so it could be rape, could be a lude act, or many other things that fall under a sex offense.

That's true--Pee-Wee Herman is a sex offender---he didn't rape anyone, unless you consider himself. 
The 20 yearl od is now a sex offender because a 14 year old lied about her age.
The john who got with a willing prostitue is now a sex offender.


I also agree with the idea that some people can change. The Blood is able to transform anyone. What if God allowed a register with everything we did for the world to see. Do you think we'd be treated as FORGIVEN by God?


Just another thought---most times when an offender is arrested for the first time, it's usually the most upstanding person in the neighborhood. Everyone is shocked that such a thing was going on right under their noses. WHY? People don't look at behaviors, people focus on certain people.

We'll turn our noses up it the ones who we know are or were offenders, but we'll embrace the REAL predator because they just don't look the part---but all along, the behavior was there..

[sjonathan02]

That's true--Pee-Wee Herman is a sex offender---he didn't rape anyone, unless you consider himself. 
The 20 yearl od is now a sex offender because a 14 year old lied about her age.
The john who got with a willing prostitue is now a sex offender.


I also agree with the idea that some people can change. The Blood is able to transform anyone. What if God allowed a register with everything we did for the world to see. Do you think we'd be treated as FORGIVEN by God?


Just another thought---most times when an offender is arrested for the first time, it's usually the most upstanding person in the neighborhood. Everyone is shocked that such a thing was going on right under their noses. WHY? People don't look at behaviors, people focus on certain people.

We'll turn our noses up it the ones who we know are or were offenders, but we'll embrace the REAL predator because they just don't look the part---but all along, the behavior was there..

Much appreciated, you just helped me with something. Real talk. 

[under13]

What if the guy that lives across the street likes to kill young women.  Your sisters might be in trouble then as well but oh you won't know about the murderer across the street because everybody is consumed with the sex offender registry.  I'm not even sure if they tell you what type of sexual offense so it could be rape, could be a lude act, or many other things that fall under a sex offense.

Did you even check the site? It tells you all of that info.

Nobody forces you to check the sites or open the letters from the schools, so if you dont wanna know, then you dont have to.

[CJKeyboardPlaya]

WOW!!! Thats why im MOVING!!!! REAL TALK!!!!

[themidiroom]

Did you even check the site? It tells you all of that info.

Nobody forces you to check the sites or open the letters from the schools, so if you dont wanna know, then you dont have to.

I've seen some of the state sites.  I haven't clicked on this link because of where I work and might not be prudent to do so.  You're right that the information is out there and you don't have to seek it but why stop at sex offenders.  The same people who demand there be sex offender registries so they can protect their children are some of the same folks that let their kids roam around on the net or they let their kids watch videos on BET and MTV.  If you're really going to protect your children, try protecting them for real.

[Fingers!]

While people have a right to know if there's a sex offender living near them, why stop at sex offenders.  Maybe we should have registries for theives, drug dealers, con men/women, etc, etc.

You're right.  It's based on the idea that these offenders are repeater at a high rate and needs to be controlled in a different manner than other offenders.  When I went thru the system I noticed that offenders of ALL crimes were repeaters at almost the same rate, with the exception of murderers.  But the average person don't know that.  They only know what the tv tells them.

[jjblack]

And then we exert our energy watching and protecting those we know, and totally missed what I already stated:
 

I educated and protect my family, not from CERTAIN PEOPLE, but CERTAIN BEHAVIORS. I think having a register makes us focus on people and live in fear of them. FEAR is unhealthy and keeps us in bondage. Focusing on behaviors keep us free from the bondage of fear and unforgivess.

I did miss it, read right over it. Sorry.

You make a great point about educating against behaviors and not people. But can you truly educate against a predator. If someone jumps out of a normal looking car and snatches your child off a bus stop the education isn't going to help much.

No we shouldn't live in fear you are right, but we shouldn't shun the knowledge readily available.

[SisterT]

Much appreciated, you just helped me with something. Real talk. 

You welcome-----now I'm wondering what you were dealing with. 

I did miss it, read right over it. Sorry.

You make a great point about educating against behaviors and not people. But can you truly educate against a predator. If someone jumps out of a normal looking car and snatches your child off a bus stop the education isn't going to help much.

No we shouldn't live in fear you are right, but we shouldn't shun the knowledge readily available.

Well, here's a real story....I'll be transparent...

There was a guy in our church who we all "heard" (opposed to really knowing) was a child molester. I became suspicious and watchful of him. I treated him differently based on the talk of the town.

One day, I found out that he had in fact molested a child a few years back. I really wacthed him--more than ever before. One day, one of the kids said she was uncomfortable with the man being around. I asked her if he had did anything to her, and she said no. She already told her parents about her feelings.

Well, I was very protective of the kids in our church because I was over the choir and had a good relationship with each of them. So, because of the factual information I had gotten, FEAR caused me to react. I pulled the man on the side and told him, "If you ever touch any of these kids, I'll hurt you. And if you ever touch any of MY children, I'll kill you." I actually meant what I said. But my words were driven by what MIGHT happen. I never considered that it MAY NOT happen and this man could have changed. Fear caused me to disrespect the man and act in an unloving, unforgiving, unchristlike manner. And you know what's sad...the girl and her parents were uncomfortable because they had gotten the same "information" about the man's past that I had gotten.

The man never touched the kids...but he left the church because of the way I and some of the other "protective moms" mistreated him. We continued to punish him for a crime that God had already forgave him of.

Since then, I repented and asked forgiveness....but if we are willing to be real, we will come to realized that FEAR influences us to say and do some very STUPID stuff....and where do you think that influence is rooted?....Satan is very clever with his tricks and mind games.