The Sex Offender Registry Shouldn’t Mean We’re Unwelcome at Church
In the Bible Belt, there’s basically a church on every corner—especially here in Nashville. It feels like there should be so many options to choose from if you want to join a faith community. But the church doors are often closed to people on the sex offender registry, including myself.
Sex offender registries are designed so that society treats you like a leper; as if you should be sent away somewhere, so that “decent” people don’t have to worry about you. I’ve felt that shame deeply in the five years since I was released from prison. But not being able to go to church feels like shame on top of shame. Like I’m not even worthy of faith anymore.
[FAC NOTE: Hang in, there’s a positive message]
I told Reverend Jay Voorhees I was on the registry and that I was hoping to attend his church. Without hesitation he replied, Sure thing. Then he asked for my PO’s number, so he could call him to follow up. “Communication is important, with clear definitions about boundaries and procedures for participation,” Voorhees told Filter. “In my experience, those on the registry know what the limits are.” “Being in ministry with those on the sex offender registry is complicated,” Voorhees said. “On the one hand, we have a responsibility to offer grace, love and hospitality to all. On the other hand, there are legitimate concerns for the safety of the vulnerable in our church. [But] there are ways for the church to provide love and support for those who find very few places for experiencing grace and a sense of community.”
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Try being found persona non grata from a religion you have been in for 55 years. A former Bishop of the Church! I was setup for failure here in Texas by being falsely entrapped by the local priesthood. A young lady, whom I thought was an adult shook my hand. When I asked a brother for a hug that he had just given a teenager, they said I wanted her to hug me. A call to Church lawyers at Kirton and McConkie and I was persona non grata. The incidents were in front of my wife, btw. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church that has banned me for over 3 years now. No one will talk to me to get it lifted. It seems to be lifetime like my low risk sex offender registry status is!
Even when I was on house arrest and probation, I attended church. I was never told that I had to notify the church but then again, that was more than 23 years ago. I occasionally attend now and then off probation but again, I have never told anyone I was on the registry. I have been too large and small churches, and no one so far has outed me.
On the flip side, I lost several jobs because people recognized and complained to the company about me being a registered person. Even though I was honest, the controversary was not something they wanted so I got asked to resign or be fired.
I agree, once you’re off probation it’s nobody’s business if you’re a PFR. Go to church, fellowship with those in Christ, and go home. Simple as that.
Thought I would weigh in with some thoughts. I have been off probation since 2007 offense predates the registry. I have attended really two churches since I have been home from DOC in 1998. (The 2 years in I attended services until the last 3 months then I laid low). Both churches were large over 3000 per service easy. Here is what I have done:
1. Only use the restroom in an emergency
2. Smile, shake hands, be cordial as anything else draws attention
3. If see the pastor, youth pastor extra. Shake hands etc ( I have daughters that went to groups etc) I never picked them up… Period.
4. If you see your supervising office at church say hi ask them how they are doing.
5. If you do make friends, keep them at arms length and should they find out, as they did in my case, tell the truth explain everything. ( They are still friends to this day. )
6. Lastly, dont volunteer. Not for parking duty, floor sweeper nothing.
I have been attending church, before this and after this. At the end of the day….. God knows. Hope this helps somebody
That’s a difficult call on what to do. My solution would be for people like yourself to open up a church for sex offenders. This way it’ll not exclude anyone who have records like yours. People ate afraid because of issues they’d gone through with child molestation and rape themselves, plus you see shows and new articles that makes it even worse to deal with sexual offenders even if it was a level 1 incident. That’s the best suggestion I can give you.
Sorry guys for religion is a hard call for me. Often these places like these are used against offenders legally with restrictions to distance and all. Than once a congregation knows yout targeted out and your family. Have my own reasons way other that the offense but yeah not worth it.
That is a completely understandable position. It’s just that it doesn’t work in reality. We’ve effectively removed all people on the registry from schools, and yet sexual abuse in schools still happen. The problem isn’t about excluding people on a list.
When we educate our children and we create environments of accountability around minors where abuse cannot take place, that is when our schools and churches will be safer.
So people aren’t afraid? Afraid of what? Breathing the same air?
Thank you that was perfect.
God will only bless us if we subject ourselves to man’s fear and judgment.
A church is not a church if it acts/stands on fear instead of faith.
Shame has no place in church.
Have a good day Florida.
As a born again christian, I don’t care about church. Too many politics and backstabbing. I have fellowship with my family and study scriptures with them. Church is the body of Christ, not a building.
I’m always careful when going to church, the church I want to go to on Sunday has a Christian school attached to it, and when I ask at my 1/4 sign in she said it’s ok because it’s Sunday……and school is closed, yet the cops say no it’s 1,000 feet 7 days a week, closed or not…….very confusing
I don’t say any thing and attend a lot. I sit in the back,and partake in communion ,but don’t associate with many others unless ,I really know them , but they can blab as well. So don’t put your self in a position where they will be nosey.
Robert
I do similar. I am friendly but when they start pushing you to join this and that and come and volunteer, I just say, “I’ll think about it and thank you for letting me know”. I try not to stand out but most of the time I go to a mega church and there are so many people that if you came back, they probably would not even remember you unless you made some amazing impact while you were there like wearing a huge church lady hat or something LOL
But I attended one church many years ago once I got out of prison and the pastor loved me to death and had my back the entire time and never had an issue.