Are churches responsible for abusive ex-members?

[Ken]

The reason I started thinking about this was because of the existence of the MAP list. If there are abuse scandals in the world of similar nature, why isn't there a huge database to outline every single known sex transgression of that person? Do people just use maybe state resources? Or what about public schools-teachers get in trouble for this sort of sin frequently, do they need to be on a list aside from the sex offender registry to reveal to the world every sex transgression possible?

Knowing what I do about the "system" is there are flaws and stuff can fall through the cracks, both within our conservative churches and without. I know of people who are on our state's Megan's List who really shouldn't be. And I know of a handful that should be but aren't.

Same in a church setting. I know of people who shouldn't be left alone with children... and I also know of men who were falsely accused and/or reputations were damaged to "keep them in line."

There are master lists of sex offenders as well as sex offender databases that are used all the time when teachers and other public employees who come into contact with minors are required to undergo background checks as part of their licensing. Are they perfect and 100% comprehensive? Of course not But they exist. That is partly why it is important to report offenses to the authorities. Even if someone isn't ultimately convicted, they will still pop up in the system with just an arrest. And are required to disclose arrests.

[Josh]

There are master lists of sex offenders as well as sex offender databases that are used all the time when teachers and other public employees who come into contact with minors are required to undergo background checks as part of their licensing. Are they perfect and 100% comprehensive? Of course not But they exist. That is partly why it is important to report offenses to the authorities. Even if someone isn't ultimately convicted, they will still pop up in the system with just an arrest. And are required to disclose arrests.

No indictment, no arrest. Although i do see schools are at least trying to do a better job than they did 10 - 20 years ago. But let's be fair to churches and hold them to the same standard that schools and other public institutions have been.

[Ken]

There are master lists of sex offenders as well as sex offender databases that are used all the time when teachers and other public employees who come into contact with minors are required to undergo background checks as part of their licensing. Are they perfect and 100% comprehensive? Of course not But they exist. That is partly why it is important to report offenses to the authorities. Even if someone isn't ultimately convicted, they will still pop up in the system with just an arrest. And are required to disclose arrests.

No indictment, no arrest. Although i do see schools are at least trying to do a better job than they did 10 - 20 years ago. But let's be fair to churches and hold them to the same standard that schools and other public institutions have been.

On every public school application I have seen you have to disclose not just indictments and convictions. You have to disclose arrests and even if you have ever been accused and let go for any accusations. Those won't necessarily pop in a criminal background check, but if you lie on your application and it is ever found out they will escort you out with security that very same day. I've seen it happen.

I don't think churches need to be held to the same standard as schools necessarily. But I think they should have actual standards that they establish before hand. And not just make it up on the fly as seems to be the case with so many of them.

[Josh]

Do you think a deranged sociopath fills out such an application truthfully?

[Ken]

Do you think a deranged sociopath fills out such an application truthfully?

A deranged psychopath will likely have a criminal history that will pop on a background check. Or eventually catch up with him.

The point of asking those sorts of intrusive questions on applications is so that if people lie they can be dismissed for cause immediately when their past catches up with them, as often happens.

You can only do so much when screening and hiring people whether it is a school or church or police department. You still have to manage and supervise them.

[Josh]

Do you think a deranged sociopath fills out such an application truthfully?

A deranged psychopath will likely have a criminal history that will pop on a background check. Or eventually catch up with him.

The point of asking those sorts of intrusive questions on applications is so that if people lie they can be dismissed for cause immediately when their past catches up with them, as often happens.

You can only do so much when screening and hiring people whether it is a school or church or police department. You still have to manage and supervise them.

I happen to think background checks are near-worthless; someone who is smart enough to avoid indictment won’t get caught.

The current state in PA of mandating background checks for Sunday school coordinator, janitor, etc. is ridiculous.

[steve-in-kville]

I happen to think background checks are near-worthless; someone who is smart enough to avoid indictment won’t get caught.

The current state in PA of mandating background checks for Sunday school coordinator, janitor, etc. is ridiculous.

Firefighters need background checks in our county now. We had a local firehouse actually taken out of service by the township because of this.

[Josh]

I happen to think background checks are near-worthless; someone who is smart enough to avoid indictment won’t get caught.

The current state in PA of mandating background checks for Sunday school coordinator, janitor, etc. is ridiculous.

Firefighters need background checks in our county now. We had a local firehouse actually taken out of service by the township because of this.

Having fewer resources to fight fires seems like the wrong way.

[Sliceitup]

Do you think a deranged sociopath fills out such an application truthfully?

A deranged psychopath will likely have a criminal history that will pop on a background check. Or eventually catch up with him.

The point of asking those sorts of intrusive questions on applications is so that if people lie they can be dismissed for cause immediately when their past catches up with them, as often happens.

You can only do so much when screening and hiring people whether it is a school or church or police department. You still have to manage and supervise them.

I happen to think background checks are near-worthless; someone who is smart enough to avoid indictment won’t get caught.

The current state in PA of mandating background checks for Sunday school coordinator, janitor, etc. is ridiculous.

I don’t think the background checks are necessarily effective in that they catch many people with a record. Rather, those people don’t even bother applying, because they know they won’t pass. So, still effective.

[steve-in-kville]

Having fewer resources to fight fires seems like the wrong way.

Yeah, I know. Its two fire houses close to each other that have forever been bickering. A lot of small town politics, too.