Sex Offenders R Us?

These are the scariest poll results I have seen in a while, concerning sex offenders and the church. Sex offenders, people.

only 29 percent of respondents think church leaders should talk with the police when becoming aware that someone in their church is a former sex offender.

That's right. 71% of respondents think church leaders should sweep sexual abuse under the rug. What the fuck is wrong with these people?

It gets even better than that.

Nearly 80 percent of churchgoers surveyed by Christianity Today International (CTI) said they believe sex offenders belong in the church under appropriate supervision.

Appropriate supervision? You mean the guy that isn't supposed to report known sex offenders? Scary.

One-fourth (26 percent) of respondents think a known ex-offender should be allowed to serve in a leadership position in church.

Even scarier. Sex offenders aren't known for using power positions to victimize people . . . oh, wait, they are.

And what should church leaders do when they become aware a member is a sex offender, since calling the police is out of the question? Oh, you know . . .

Most said church leaders should pray about it (82 percent), talk to elders (76 percent), and/or talk to staff (76 percent). Churchgoers where divided on whether or not the offender’s probation officer should be contacted or a conditional attendance agreement should be drafted – for both responses, 57 percent of respondents agreed.

Why do these people want to expose themselves and their loved ones to avoidable danger? Simple:

The survey also found that nearly 4 in 10 respondents (37 percent) think sex offenders can be completely rehabilitated to the point where they no longer pose a threat to others. A nearly equal number (38 percent) are not sure whether an offender can be rehabilitated or they are not sure about it.

Well, I suppose if you believe the magic man in the sky will help you find your car keys, you'll believe anything. Over here in reality, the recidivism rate for sex offenders is somewhere between 52% and 88.3%, depending upon whom you talk to. Even assuming the more conservative number is true, that means, to abuse statistics a bit, that every other sex offender in your church is going to commit another sex crime. Possibly in your church. Yes, let's allow them free reign over the children's choir.