I haVen't been to church since the mightmare began for me over 3 years ago and I don't even have a SO living with me. I have two adult sons in prison in different statees for sex crimes. I just feel that very few people understand my life now and I have no desire to be around groups where the topic always comes up in discussion. Churches expect a person to give, as well as take, which is right for them to do. I just have nothing to give now, financially or emotionally.

I'm sorry to hear that - but it seems to be a continuing problem in the church. They preach one thing ,but seem to find themselves exempt from practicing it. I also quit going after my son was charged. I never told anyone why , because I knew what the reaction would be. On the flipside , I feel much closer to Jesus now , than I ever did while I was going to services. I pray more and trust Him with our circumstances completely. Don't give up faith just because of a building full of judgmental people. Forgive them for they know not what they do.

My church has an awesome online service. Check out Central Christian Church. They are accepting of everyone. Especially those in prison and paroled and addicts. I love going there and hate that when I move ill have to watch online. I know it doesn't feel the same as being there but still has great services. Once we get through sentencing this month it's only a matter of time before They send him to a prison n ill follow there.

I have some trusted people I volunteer with who know my situation at my church. They pray for me when I am down and support my decision to stay with my husband. But I do agree with one of them, I would not share this info with others. Even though they attend church, there are gossips and love to point out other people's flaws, so they don't feel bad about their own. Not all churches shun SO's though. They do believe in redemption. It's some of the people that you need to worry about. Then again, you don't have to say anything, which may have happened in your case. All it takes is for someone to look at the registry for people they know, and your privacy is over.

somanypets,

You did not belong to church that subscribes by the rules set down by Jesus Christ. You belonged to a cult-like gathering of people who want to play by their rules.

In fact, you are better off leaving this church; with their mindset, it is always a strong possibility that your husband would get falsely accused of another sex crime at some point.

This was not a church. Churches are supposed to adhere to the teachings set out in the Bible, those spoken about when Jesus was on this earth. Any church that refuses a sex offender from attending is just not a place of worship as set out by God.

Does anyone actually think that Jesus would turn away a sex offender from attending worship and trying to turn his life around?

The ladies here know much more about some of the teachings of Christ than I do, but I thought one of the tenets of religion was forgiveness. I thought a church was "a hospital for sinners" not a "museum for saints." Frankly, church should be exactly where sinners SHOULD be so they can cleanse their soul.

Today, too many churches have become nothing more than AGENTS OFINTOLERANCE. I often visit a dear old friend who has a business; we have known each other for many years. I talk to two of his female employees and have listenedt to their views of religion, and trust me, their views and those preached at their church are not the Word of God.

They hate homosexuals, they deplore gay marriage, in fact, they hate everyone that doesn't fit their own definition of a decent person. Instead of hating the sin but loving the person, they hate the person

Religion has cause so many problems in this world. It has divided people, caused wars, and preached hate and discontent. If practiced as Jesus did, it would be great,but it is not.

rewdiazepam

brokenin2pc - just checked out the Central Christian Church online service. Awesome. Thank you for the info.

Good, recent article / analysis on the subject.

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/01/2661265/sex-offenders-deserve-love-help.html

Hypocrites!

Rew, funny you should mention the "hospital for sinners" because that's exactly what our pastor calls our church. He knows our situation (PO required it in order for my hubby to go to church) as well a his wife and a select few other people, and we are accepted as we are, flaws and all. He didn't announce it to the church...he said it was our own business who we tell...as far as he's concerned, my hubby did his offense before he was saved, and he's not that man anymore. Now, mind you, we go to a small country church out in the middle of nowhere, but that is how church should be more like that...I'm so thankful we were able to find such a wonderful bunch of people!

bightside313,

Congratulations that you belong to a real church; one that is inspired by the Word of God. They actually practice God's word.

We are all flawed human beings; we are all sinners. Churches that actually teach the ideas that Jesus brought to this earth are where sinners should be. After all, if there were no sinners there would be no reason to have churches.

The biggest problem with religion and churches today is too many of them have become politicized to the point that they forget why they are there----TO ADMINISTER TO THE SINNERS. Churches are exactly where sex offenders should be if they are religiously inclinded.

I have heard too many "Christians" rail against minorities, gays, and the poor. It frankly makes me sick.

Faith is a wonderfu concept. Many times it allows us to rise above and endure a situation we normally could have never endured. But faith can only do so much. Faith and hope is not reality. We need a balance between the two.

But this business of picking and choosing who to allow to worship in a particular church is completely against any interpretation of the Bible.

rewdiazepam

I'm so sorry to hear that. It's a shame that he is still being branded for something that he already paid the price for. Churches are the last places to go for forgiveness....something is wrong with that picture!

True that no matter where you go in life there will always be miserable people who practice ignorance despite what the bible teaches. So as long as we live w the ignorant people of this country we will have to deal w thier ugliness. But God knows and sees the truth. And only He can judge

We started church when this happened to my husband and I can tell you that they were nothing but supportive of us as new members. We explained our situation, my husband got baptized and it was a very moving moment. Don't get me wrong this is a very large church and people do judge but I walk in with my head held high and as does my husband, people are human and they make mistakes, no one is perfect and if they want to wisper behind our back, so be it. There are churches out there you just have to find the right one,.

im so sorry people done that to you :( it makes me so mad and sad at the so called christians today . if they was truly christians they would accept you all in church and be there to help restore not condemn someone of 20 yrs ago . my hub made bad mistakes 14 yrs ago . past is past if JESUS dont condemn us for past and has been forgiven then thats what peoplke should so love reach out and help restore . witness truth but also have love in their heart at same time . and not ever say get out !! we go theire to worship GOD and be part the body of CHRIST . it makes me so ill per ssay christians will tlak so evil against people like in our situations . . they arent like JESUS taught !! JESUS would not have said get out and shun people and say they couldnt be at church . its a house of w orship , and place where people can feel they can get prayer and love and worship one mine one accord. . its like pointing fingers that sex offences are worst then any other sin , thats not what GOD said . all committed sin and gulity and until we are saved , but after salvation his blood paid the price . even a murderer can be forgiven . !! people need to stop thinking they are holyier than though . and stop beign as a pharise . it wont get them into heaven !!!! only faith in what jesus done on the cross will . and only when we got the holy spirit in us will we truly have a conviction of sin . but these people whom received the blood of jesus , and their past was forgiven . but they gfo around and hate people and condemn for past sins are sssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooooo not right with GOD !! AND THEIR HEARTS TO HATE PEOPLE IS NOT OF GOD !! U DONT SHUN AND TELL PEOPLE LEAVE CHURCH CAUSE OF PAST SINS! PERIOD!! i would tell that to the pastor !! tell them how jesus would have been ., and how he truly loved people . , and that one day they will face our living GOD and be accounted for leading the sheep out of church . i wil be praying for you . i feel so bad for you . . we go church . our pastor knows assistant pastor knows . and accepted my hub situation of being a rso . been able to go church past 4 yrs my hub ben in probation . yes people may gossip . but you know what !!!!!!! they are in sin when they do . and GOD is judgeing them for what they do and done to u both .
if they dont change their ways and love people . people will be led away of church and the pastors will be accountable for it . for leadign them away . heres a scripture !


Jer:23:1: Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jer:23:2: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.


GOD does not take that lightly what he sees pastors doing to their sheep ! give that pastor that scripture too . just to let him know how GOD is taking what hes done to u all !!
keep the faith , their will be some churches out there that wil have a warm heart and believe the past is past and people need to be restored and cared about . . no matter what they done in the past . if they cant do that . then you will know that its not the right church to be in !!

Jesus came for those who need him and last time I looked we all do!

Hi to all and thank you for your comments. First let me address my husband telling the church about it. Small town and cursed registry, plus the fact that he used a coupon at a store and was arrested for it being counterfiet (charges dropped later) and the fact that he was on the worship team made it all necessary for him to tell them.Of course this was big news and the local paper just HAD to add that he was a registered sex offender - like that had anything to do with using a coupon! Actually a really sweet church wre ewe have been welcomed for years, until ONE fanatic found him on the internet and started a lot of crap. Oh well, we still belong to Jesus and He is all around us in His beautiful creation here in Tennessee. Still the Bible tells us not to forsake fellowship and we need a home church so we are in prayer that He will lead us to the right place. Those that gossip are linked together with God-haters in the Holy Word, so God will take care of them. And on we go on this long journey!