A letter to the editor

This letter appeared in one of the daily newspapers where I live. I've changed or deleted some minor identifying details. All typos are my own. I'm going to try to contact the author by email, and perhaps invite him to visit CBF. * * * * * * * Pedophile's release challenges our humanity Re Neighbours drive pedophile out, Oct. 20. The public outcry and banishment of convicted pedophile John Doe leaves us troubled as a national church coalition working both "sides" of the question. The neighbours' and parents' concerns are legitimate. I am a dad. I love and want to protect my children. The presence of a convicted pedophile would leave me with many questions. What is my own responsibility if and when I help banish a convicted pedophile to another unsuspecting community, and to their children, without having contributed to more meaningful and lasting responses? "Not in my backyard" means sending someone to another backyard. Without implying judgment of anyone, I suspect in that hall of several hundred people at the community forum were at least some people who also visit child pornography sites on the Internet, drive drunk, exploit or extort fellow human beings in business ventures. That would be the case in any typical crowd. Is that behaviour also not very dangerous to our children or ourselves? I hope that those protesting Doe's presence are also working on their own stuff, as I must on mine too. This is not "bleeding heart" talk, nor is it an invitation to do nothing. Actually, it is a brand of justice that is really serious and tough, when we are to take seriously the concerns of the neighbours and, at the same time, hold up the rights and needs of this fellow human being. For as much as we use labels, and banish what we either fear or hate, these "sex offenders" are someone's relatives. I was interested to hear that the man who took Doe in did so for "religious reasons" and that a Mennonite community is also expressing interest in welcoming him. This kind of volunteer work is tough, but it beats banishment. And it is a challenge to other faith communities and religious leaders who may be silent or less welcoming on these vexing gospel and faith questions. How would Doe be treated at your church? Do you even talk about these things? * * * * * * *