Would You Take in A Murderer?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, March 18, 2009
- Viewed 77
- (33) comments so far
1. While I admire the pastor for his reaching out; I would NEVER bring a convicted child killer into my home with my wife and teenage kids. Is it just me, or is this a glaring lack of judgment?
2. That said, where does the church need to stand on issues like this? A man like this is definitely a cultural outcast. He has to go somewhere, but no body wants him. That reminds me a lot of the people that Jesus came around and gave voice for. Although this is a severe case, should the church be involved?
3. If you lived in Chichester, NH… what side of the fence would you be on? Would you be like the pastor and be more willing to take this man in, or like the woman who is scared to let her kid walk to the mailbox. Truth be told… I’d probably be the one scared to let my 11 year old go to the mailbox. Is that wrong?
I’d love to hear your perspective. No one ever said this Christian thing would be neat and tidy.
You can read the newsletter article here...
Todd
Residents of Chichester, NH are ticked. (That's to put it lightly). Raymond Guay admitted to killing a twelve year old boy in 1973 and after 35 years in prison, was recently released from prison. The murdered boy was found wearing only his socks and underwear; his glasses and a watch. Guay is required to serve out his parole in New Hampshire; and Pastor David Pinckney has taken him into his home. The pastor said in a written statement that he felt Guay 'poses no threat, and never leaves the house without adult supervision' (which seems quite normal for someone who is not a threat...)
Oh... I forgot to mention. The pastor has a wife and four kids ages 13-18.
Residents of the small NH town feel differently. "I do not feel safe enough to walk to the mailbox, to allow my children to walk to the mailbox," said resident Darlene Phelps, according to a newspaper report.
OK... here are my questions and thoughts...
Comments
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Jimmy Smith on Wed, March 18, 2009
Due, there are MANY ways to help someone in need that don’t put your family in the path of PROBABLE danger. This pastor has a good heart, but poor judgment and decision-making capacity.
Jimmy Smith on Wed, March 18, 2009
oops… that first word was suppose to be “dude.”
deaubury on Wed, March 18, 2009
this man raping and killing a young boy tells me he is homosexual , or i would think he is, i would not want the man around my children ,if it was just the pastor and his wife it might be somewhat alright, but i would not put my children in harms way, you know when satan tried to get jesus to jump off a building, jesus said do not test the lord, i do not know if this would be the same or not, but i,m sure some of you pastors would know.
Peter Hamm on Wed, March 18, 2009
Help him, yes. House him, no.
Leonard on Wed, March 18, 2009
No, I would not do this. It seems to me that this might be a lack of judgment as well. This was not the person Jesus wanted us to speak for, since in Jesus day this man would not have served 35 years in prison, but rather been killed.
Brian L. on Wed, March 18, 2009
We have a registered sex offender (indecent exposure to minors) on our block. We don’t let our kids go near the place. In fact, within the nine blocks between my house and the church there are at least a half-dozen offenders living. You can guess that I don’t allow my small children to walk in that area alone!
Sorry, but I need to put the welfare of my kiddos before his need for social acceptance.
Ostracization from society is one of the natural consequences of sex offenders. (Yes, I know there are different “levels” of sexual offense, and that’s another discussion altogether.)
I agree with others that this pastor has a huge heart, but unless he’s positive God directed him to do this (in which case he would need to be obedient regardless of the outcry from us or his neighbors), it would be best to have him out of that home.
Peter Hamm on Wed, March 18, 2009
Brian, I’d go further.
There is no way that I can fathom that God would instruct this man to take this person into his home with his kids.
No way.
CindyK on Wed, March 18, 2009
How I wish I could say that I would take him in. But I would not. No way!
I am certain that Pastor David Pinckney knows this man much better than we do. And perhaps the Pastor is simply obeying God by taking him in. But that act would require faith beyond what I currently possess and that convicts me.
I wish I had the faith that this Pastor is exhibiting. And I pray for all involved.
Steve on Wed, March 18, 2009
Wow! What a tough situation. We do not have all the information needed to make a decision like the pastor has. The relationship points out that he was introduced to Raymond Guay by way of the prison chaplain, How long ago was that? What kind of relationship has this pastor developed since that time? Did the pastor include his family in the decision?
We have to remember that Jesus reached out and touched lepers. This man would be considered a leper in our society. At least we know where he is located. What about the thousands of potential killers out there that we do not know about? I commend this pastor and family for this bold step, but in all honesty, not sure I could do this myself.
Steve on Wed, March 18, 2009
One other thing I forgot to say. If Raymond Guay has given his heart and life to Christ, he will be in heaven with all of us for eternity.
Leonard on Wed, March 18, 2009
Steve, Jesus reached out to lepers and healed them. He did not take them in, nor would he have done so. There are and were places for lepers in the days of Jesus. While leprosy was considered the reult of sin and unclean, it was not as we know always the case. A leper was not a pedophile and a murderer.. In my opinion, this man is not a leper in our day, he is a murderer and child rapist in both Jesus Day and in our Day.
Forgiven? Sure. Invited into a home where there are children. Never.
Brian L. on Wed, March 18, 2009
Peter,
I with you. My theology would not see this as possible.
But if this guy thinks God was directing him to do it, then he is acting out of obedience to what He believes God is requiring of him.
I don’t see God actually doing that, myself.
Brian L. on Wed, March 18, 2009
Peter,
I agree with you. My theology would not see this as possible.
But if this guy thinks God was directing him to do it, then he is acting out of obedience to what He believes God is requiring of him.
I don’t see God actually doing that, myself.
CindyK on Wed, March 18, 2009
Very insightful post Leonard. Much wisdom there, thank you.
Brian L. on Wed, March 18, 2009
Leonard,
Agree with you 100 million billion gajillion percent!
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