I don't want to be too quick to judge.
It seems so easy for people to fall to addiction.
And addiction comes in many forms. Drugs and alcohol are the first to come to mind, but sexual addiction is always next on the list...and sexual addiction comes in many forms.
It was a shock to hear that a person we know was arrested last week. He is a teacher who sits at the point of retirement. He is a preacher for a local denomination on the side. He directed my daughter's honors choir in elementary school. And he was arrested for an apparent addiction.
A sad story. It would be unbelievable if addiction were not so prevalent and so easy.
Child pornography.
So many have commented on the topic. Many are shocked and have questions, but others don't want answers: they only want "justice". Justice in the form of punishment.
It seems so easy for people to fall to addiction.
And addiction comes in many forms. Drugs and alcohol are the first to come to mind, but sexual addiction is always next on the list...and sexual addiction comes in many forms.
It was a shock to hear that a person we know was arrested last week. He is a teacher who sits at the point of retirement. He is a preacher for a local denomination on the side. He directed my daughter's honors choir in elementary school. And he was arrested for an apparent addiction.
A sad story. It would be unbelievable if addiction were not so prevalent and so easy.
Child pornography.
So many have commented on the topic. Many are shocked and have questions, but others don't want answers: they only want "justice". Justice in the form of punishment.
Throw the book at him! | Make an example of him! | Bring back public hangings! |
Sick pervert! | Bring on the wood chipper! |
I won't write all the comments here. Some just aren't for public consumption: the accusations are about child pornography after all. Images downloaded onto his personal computer and his school-issued laptop computer. Hundreds of pictures of children. We don't know the level of the tawdry content, but any level is unacceptable. It's made all the worse because he was an educator.
But we're confused. The guy seemed like his heart was in the right place. But it's easy to fall into addiction - especially with the prevalence of availability. Somehow millions succumb to it, ignoring will-power. Before long, they can't bring themselves to stop. One time leads to another. And another. Always trying to get to the perfect situation, but never quite able to achieve it.
But we're confused. The guy seemed like his heart was in the right place. But it's easy to fall into addiction - especially with the prevalence of availability. Somehow millions succumb to it, ignoring will-power. Before long, they can't bring themselves to stop. One time leads to another. And another. Always trying to get to the perfect situation, but never quite able to achieve it.
| It happens in secret. Secrets from a spouse. Secrets from sons and daughters. Secrets from bosses and peers. It can seem like a victimless crime. No one sees. No one knows. Until they know. Several comments on social media claim suspicions about this particular man. After all, the charges don't stop at the possession of pornography. He was also arrested on charges of stalking at least one girl from middle school through high school. | |
How does this happen?
I don't have much to say. It's enough to render one speechless. As much as a person can get angry and vindictive, I don't want those emotions to drive me. As much as a person can be confused and bewildered, those emotions can stop a person completely. I don't want to shout for extreme punishment or even execution.
I'm certain this particular man has cried his eyes dry in jail. I'm sure his family has covered the gamut of their own emotions. I'm convinced that he slid down a rabbit hole and came to a point where he could no longer easily deny the temptation.
I hope the family and the man get the help they need to move them through the issues. I pray they can find forgiveness among the community and the forgiveness of God. I hope they can bring themselves to forgive him.
How many more are there? Closeted individuals. Men and women. Young and old. How many more are addicted to harmful lifestyles that impact our children? How many more silently deal with serious issues - debilitating addictions.
It is a rampant problem. I suppose it always has been. Maybe we should all investigate our own lives and rid ourselves of any addictions that might be there. May we pray for deliverance from them.
I don't have much to say. It's enough to render one speechless. As much as a person can get angry and vindictive, I don't want those emotions to drive me. As much as a person can be confused and bewildered, those emotions can stop a person completely. I don't want to shout for extreme punishment or even execution.
I'm certain this particular man has cried his eyes dry in jail. I'm sure his family has covered the gamut of their own emotions. I'm convinced that he slid down a rabbit hole and came to a point where he could no longer easily deny the temptation.
I hope the family and the man get the help they need to move them through the issues. I pray they can find forgiveness among the community and the forgiveness of God. I hope they can bring themselves to forgive him.
How many more are there? Closeted individuals. Men and women. Young and old. How many more are addicted to harmful lifestyles that impact our children? How many more silently deal with serious issues - debilitating addictions.
It is a rampant problem. I suppose it always has been. Maybe we should all investigate our own lives and rid ourselves of any addictions that might be there. May we pray for deliverance from them.
