I should have said that a Pete-type story is much less likely to happen now in Texas than in the past. I also would like to see some reformation of statuatory rape laws. It makes sense that eighteen year olds would want to have sex with sixteen year olds. It does not make sense the twenty-four year olds should to eager have sex with fourteen year olds. So what is wrong with carding sexual partners? And what is wrong with people who are thirty seeking sex with age mates rather than teens?

If you had read the texts of my previous letters in this discussion, you would see that I am not too concerned with Pete-types in church. After, the main subject of discussion is attendees of churches (and synagogues and other religious bodies) and not bars.

To return to the subject of the article itself:

As to others who implied that sex offenders could only have good and honest intentions if they informed the minister of their past offense(s), that may be the case or it may be that they are required to do so as a condition of parole -- that they could get in serious trouble if they do not.

However, why do people think it is only minister who needs to be informed? As a member of a Church that is much less hierarchical, I believe every member of the congregation should be informed -- especially parents with children who attend church. Don't imagine that in every church children are ghettoed off to Sunday school and never participate in any other aspect of church. Children go to church pot lucks, they attend church camping trips with their families, they go carolling, they participate in service to the community and many other church activities. I know because, as a former religious education director, I organized intergenerational activities, including Sunday church services. I was a church employee. Only try to imagine how many problems it would have created for me in terms of job security if child sexual abuse of a child had happened on my watch. If I had had information that someone in the church was a sexual offender and did not inform parents, I might risk a personal lawsuit. The church might risk a lawsuit.

(As to those who think I am overly concerned about the business aspects of church. Well, all I can say is what do you think churches function on if not money?)

Personally, I would prefer not to attend services with sexual offenders. I don't know very many parents who would not be uncomfortable with this.

I will go further, I don't really want to attend services with rapists or murderers either. Of course, I know I am going to get another Christian forgiveness rap. While each church is entitled to make its own decisions, frankly, I am quite glad that I don't have that forgiveness obsession.

For instance, I have noticed that every time there is one of those school/college shootings, there are always Christians who cannot wait for their 15 minutes of fame in which they forgive the shooter before the victims are even placed in their graves. I wonder if that sort of thing ever makes the families of victims just about throw up.

Personally, I do not believe in a punitive God. In heaven, surely such offenders would be automatically healed and no children would be exposed to their proclivities. Heaven is an ideal place. Here on earth, it is altogether less ideal, and we must take into account practical considerations.

It is interesting that you almost seem to be hoping that God (whom you may or may not believe in) has "special punishment" for people who may not want pedophiles in their churches.

Do you not see a contradiction between this punishment you envision as possible and your own plea for inclusion for sexual offenders? Are you not hoping for understanding and mercy for the offenders and quite the opposite for parents who may only seek to preserve the innocence of their children?

Since it is a punitive God whom you conjure here, what sort of hell do you think he would he would provide for parents who treat quite carelessly the safety the babies he entrusted to them?

Do you or do you not favor parents being able to make informed choices concerning the protection of their children when they attend a church?

Innocence is a precious state. Once lost, it cannot be regained.

Comparison and Contrast is one of the simplest essay forms. It is taught in high school, and, in remedial classes, it is taught yet again in college. You don't have to be especially smart to write to the formula.

Here is an example of the simple formula:

America is the good guys.

1.

2.

3.

(list three supporting reasons why we are the good guys)

Those Arabs over there are the bad guys.

1.

2.

3.

(list three supporting reasons why those Arabs in Iraq (Afganistan, Iran, etc.) are the bad guys.

Follow with a brief concluding statement.

Now that everyone had passed basic essay writing, would anyone like to consider this: We are a democracy. Therefore, we must earn our good guy badge every day. We don't get to act like everyone else whom we abhor. We don't even get to discard others' rights and keep our own constitutional rights to ourselves. We have to consider the rights of all on every possible level. This is because, once we disregard the rights of others, the bad guys in our own nation "will come for us."

Bush and crew will never be prosecuted. They have too much power and are connected to people with too much money. These are the people whose interests they really serve. I predict the scandal of war profiteering will be alive long after these immoral opportunists have left office with their spoils, only to be replaced by other immoral opportunists.

It is the rest of us who pay with blood and treasure.