Thursday, July 5, 2007

The Forever Fear

Among the more despicable groups in modern existence is the North American Man/Boy Love Association. Here's their view about what happens with dirty old men prey upon minors:
Despite the popular images of boogeymen we see in the media every day, usually the intergenerational experiences of younger people are consensual. These consensual experiences can be quite positive and beneficial for the participants, regardless of their ages.
Oh, for vocabulary stronger than "offensive poppycock" to describe this propaganda from NAMBLA! In February, we discovered a sexual predator victimizing minors in our congregation. My day changed this morning when I received word that he is being released on bond to house arrest pending trial. He's been in jail nearly five months. After that elapsed duration, I know a teenager who still awakens screaming in the night out of fear that his tormentor will return. I know an entire family terrified that they are going to round a street corner, step into a checkout line at Wal-Mart, or pull into a station to get gas and find themselves confronted by the pervert who stole their innocence from them. No matter how many electronic ankle bracelets, bail restrictions, or restraining orders are involved, five months of healing have vanished in a telephone call for everyone involved in this tragic situation. Every minor seduced by an adult is a victim. The effects of these crimes last for a lifetime. It is a pity that our justice system does not provide for suitable punishment. Thankfully, I believe that there is justice beyond our justice system—forever justice to put an end to forever fears.

11 comments:

Debbie Kaufman said...

I understand Bart, I truly do understand. The perpetrator of our oldest daughter recently died. That was when we could finally breath. The move to another state was the beginning of healing for my daughter, yet after over twenty years, it's still tough. I do understand.

Anonymous said...

We could spend our whole lives waiting for some thunderbolt to come, and we could spend our whole lives waiting for some justice to be done... Unless we make our own...

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

I didn't know. I'm so sorry.


Anonymous,

The justice required, you do not have within your power to make. Let us occupy the territory carefully marked out where we long for justice against offense while remembering that, apart from the grace of God in Christ, justice is coming for you and me, too, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Bart-

I'm truly sorry to hear about this. I don't know that it's possible to be more disgusted than I am about the behavior of child molesters, or about the lack of attention being paid to predators. May God protect everyone from this perpetrators schemes.

Blessings
Micah
Psalm 67

Writer said...

Bart,

I am praying for you, your church, the sexual predator, and the victims. The evil which we have to contend seems overwhelming at times.

Thank God that Jesus has overcome the world. There is new life for all, victims and perpetrators, in Christ. May the healing hand of Christ touch everyone involved in this horror.

Things like this kind of brings the SBC battles into perspective, eh? There are things much more important.

Les

Tim G said...

Bart,
May God keep him locked in a closet until trial and may he be put away in prison! Praying for you and the family!

Col 2: 6
TG

Anonymous said...

Something we can all agree upon.

Anonymous said...

Bro. Bart, may I share about an organization I'm working with in Rockwall. The website is "dayspringdiscipleship.org (I don't know how to do one of those links, sorry).

The founder of this organization has been helping victims dealing with this type of burden for many years. She has developed the Rockwall Community Prayer Garden, using her leased plot of land in an effort to help people heal. Her focus is Christ centered, using the healing balm of our Lord. I highly recommend this tool for any family in our area, particularly in this type of situation. If you want to know more, give me a call, I'm home today.

. said...

Bart,
I am truly sorry that this has taken place in your church. A similar situation allegedly took place not long ago in the church I planted and left in 2004.
I understand and wholeheartedly accept your assessment and patience in waiting for divine justice.
At the same time, I have completely lost my patience with the courts in this matter. Individuals who commit such horrific crimes against children should never again see the light of day, and they should spend the rest of their lives at hard labor. Furthermore, if they strike again after being released, the judge who let them go should also be locked up!
Sorry for my "soapbox moment" here, but as a father of two boys, I can't help but weep for the victims in your church, and feel intense anger toward the perpetrator, and the courts.

R. L. Vaughn said...

Bro. Bart, may God bless, comfort and guide you all during this difficult time.

CB Scott said...

There is a suitable punishment. Our justice system is just too weak for the task.

We are a nation being destroyed from within.

cb