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Thoughts

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Hope of Glory, Aug 24, 2007.

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  1. Hope of Glory

    Hope of Glory New Member

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    This is kind of political, kind of not, and I would like to discuss it from a Christian perspective and not a political one. But, we had a case recently in which a man was charged with sexual assault of a 13 YO (we don't have statutory rape, just different levels of SA). Now, he was able to more or less prove his innocence, even though it's supposed to be innocent until proved guilty. There will always be doubts, but there is no evidence beyond the statement of this girl. His innocence was "proved" by lack of evidence, and he passed 3 polygraph tests (not admissible in criminal court, but still a good sign), and a few other things that seemed to be only her word for the evidence, everything else against it.

    In the meantime, he lost custody of his children. The reason he had custody is because their mother is a meth-head, a prostitute, and several other things. He's a fairly upright citizen, staying out of trouble, and holding down steady work. He lost his job because his court-ordered third-party monitoring would not let him continue to work. Other things have happened to his detriment as well.

    So, basically, his family was ripped apart, his income was slashed, and he will always have this stigma hanging over him simply because of these allegations.

    Now, I think that our children should be protected.

    But, should we destroy someone's life, based solely upon the statement of the child, just to be "on the safe side"? (BTW, in a community of this size, this girl's life is pretty much destroyed as well, unless she moves a long ways away.)

    Why or why not?
     
    #1 Hope of Glory, Aug 24, 2007
  2. Joe

    Joe New Member

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    No one's life should be destroyed just to be on the "safe side". It's innocent until proven guilty.


    Joe
     
    #2 Joe, Aug 24, 2007
  3. Mr.M

    Mr.M New Member

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    Of course not but we have a populace largely influenced by hysteria, emotionalism and overreaction, hence the willingness to find demons where none exist. The Duke Scandal is great evidence for this.

    Children should be protected, no one is debating that. The concern is also protecting the rest of our fellow citizens from false accusations and the repercussions people face with such recklessness.

    The sad truth is we have a very immature populace and the instant the mere suggestion of some injustice done to a person, particularly a child, comes up a mob forms looking to lynch someone. Why? Probably because these alleged adults have unresolved conflicts from their own lives that they irresponsibly allowed to go unchecked and then impose them (the issues with their years of hostility, bitterness and implacability form from stewing instead of resolving) and project them onto other situations such as this and presto...you have willing believers of accusers without proper investigation and consideration regarding the facts or mitigating circumstances.
     
    #3 Mr.M, Aug 24, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2007
  4. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Then you have false accusers..
     
    #4 tinytim, Aug 24, 2007
  5. Hope of Glory

    Hope of Glory New Member

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    I understand that in retrospect, it's easy to see, and I think almost everyone should be able to see it. Yet, there are some who say, "We must believe them at all costs!" (This principle applies to other things, as well, but this is a specific case that I'm referring to.)

    Criminally, it's simple: He's innocent. But, why is he treated like a criminal until he goes to court? What are (or should be) the repercussions for her?

    What is the point of delineation that we should make between innocent until proved guilty and believing the child?

    After all, the mere allegations will taint him forever, even if he never knew the girl at all.

    But, you don't want the child to be afraid to come forward, if it is true.
     
    #5 Hope of Glory, Aug 24, 2007
  6. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    I have seen this happen on several occasions.

    Let this be the warning that one should not leave one's self to be in a situation to allow these accusations to be feasible.
     
    #6 SaggyWoman, Aug 24, 2007
  7. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    A false accusation is my greatest fear as a pastor, so I NEVER meet with ladies, girls, or even hold babies unless my wife is present. I also do not hug anyone except my aunts (if they initiate it), wife, my sister and my mother. I have seen too many men get accused falsely and lose their positions because of it.

    Like it or not the burden falls on us to keep ourselves pure.
     
    #7 Mexdeaf, Aug 24, 2007
  8. Dewey Sturgell

    Dewey Sturgell New Member

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    Well this is a sad , sad thing for an individual to be drug through, for we know that we are to let our good not to be spoken evil of , for when this happens it makes us look very bad and spots our garnment, for this man to go through such a trial is very horrific, and devestating to his life and especially his children , if he is not guilty then it does not really matter much for the world ha slittle to no compasion or no regard to this mans life because it only became news to them which fell into gossip and we know that it leads to problems, I really hate to hear of things that happen to people that are trapped in such cases,( esp) if thier not guilty, this case shows us that the children have more influence on things than adults because the world has left God out of thier lives. peace and love for our LOrd,amen
     
    #8 Dewey Sturgell, Aug 26, 2007
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