if i stub my toe and willingly curse this is a slightly sinfull action...
all sin merits an eternity in hell....
that is what we deserve for any tiny little sin...
so how is it justice for me to go to be punished for, hypothetically, killing a man by putting me in prison for life. I havent been given anything close to what i deserve! people cant give me what i deserve1
the entire idea of jail based on punishment and retribution is completely rediculis. Its not our job to punish people. I think that the only thing we must do is try to prevent crime. Our intention is sending people to jail should have to do with trying to insure the common good of the rest of the society. NOT PUNISHING THE EVIL DOER!
the best way to prevent crime is to rehabilitate criminals. this is not an easy task. one of the main problems, ecspecially with pedophilia is the hatred which goes on by people who call themselves Christians yet fail to act Christ-like. I think to a large degree if people would start treating those who have pedophilia the way they treat those who have another type of disorder (i.e. cancer or bi-polar) in large part the problem of pedophilia would deminish.
We need to stop hating people for things they cannot change. Everyone says hate the sin not the sinner....well get with it people and practice what you preach.
if you really want to help out with the child molestation problem then go check your local sex offend registry and go make friends with a pedophile. Treat him like a human being and extend the love of Christ to him.
if you are not really concerned with the problem for the right reasons (ie the kids and the imortal soul of the abuser) your just looking for an excuse to hate people then you are not acting as a christian.