Musing on sex offenders...

[Backroads]

(attempting to be as vague as possible)

So let's say a pedophile slips up, is arrested, suffers all manners of lawful consequences, does his service and/or time, then later on joins the local ward.

If this person were called into working with children, if he were truly repentant (is obviously going to church), what would possibly persuade from simply refusing the call, instead creating all manner of lies in order to slip through the cracks in order to hide his past?

[Vort]

Shame?

[Backroads]

Yet doesn't that happen when he gets caught for trying to slip through the cracks?

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

Originally Posted by Vort

Shame?

OR understanding that being in such a position puts him/her in a greater position to re-offend, and he/she would rather reveal his/her past on some level then possible hurt another child.

Eventually, through repentance the shame and stain of sin is taken away and one is made free through the blood of Jesus... even sex offenders.

[Backroads]

Originally Posted by KirtlandSaintinZion

OR understanding that being in such a position puts him/her in a greater position to re-offend, and he would rather reveal his past on some level then possible hurt another child.

Except that's the opposite of situation. This is a sex offender willfully accepting the calling. Even with forgiveness and repentance, is it right for him to take it when he knows he legally can't?

[Bini]

Originally Posted by KirtlandSaintinZion

OR understanding that being in such a position puts him/her in a greater position to re-offend, and he would rather reveal his past on some level then possible hurt another child.

Eventually, through repentance the shame and stain of sin is taken away and one is made free through the blood of Jesus... even sex offenders.

I agree. Yet, the urges and desires may always be present, even if not acted upon. I would hope an individual in such a position would have the strength and courage to confide in the bishop why he or she cannot accept the calling.

[Bini]

Originally Posted by Backroads

Except that's the opposite of situation. This is a sex offender willfully accepting the calling. Even with forgiveness and repentance, is it right for him to take it when he knows he legally can't?

No. If he has a record and he is legally not allowed to work with children - he would be doing wrong by snowballing the bishop and accepting the calling.

[Backroads]

Originally Posted by Bini

I agree. Yet, the urges and desires may always be present, even if not acted upon. I would hope an individual in such a position would have the strength and courage to confide in the bishop why he or she cannot accept the calling.

Indeed. While part of me thinks that the past is the past and one is not required to tell anyone*, the bishop could be a great support system/recommender of a great support system.

*legal requirements not included.

[Backroads]

There's also the question of going through so much trouble of hiding the past. I suppose Vort's right and that would be shame, but it looks bad even if it were a truly repentant person.

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

Originally Posted by Backroads

Except that's the opposite of situation. This is a sex offender willfully accepting the calling. Even with forgiveness and repentance, is it right for him to take it when he knows he legally can't?

Not knowing the specifics of his case, I can't comment on the appropriateness of his fulfilling the calling. But he definitely needs to advise the Bishop, and the Bishop, in concert with Salt Lake, can determine whether the call should go forward.