Hi
I was watching a program last night about Peter Sutcliffe aka The Yorkshire Ripper.
As some here may know, there are rumours that he may have some links with Jehovah's Witnesses via prison. If it was true, it seems appalling to me that he could be viewed as my spiritual brother (if both he and I were JW's).
However, wouldn't the 'christian' attitude, to which many billions of Earth's fellow passengers aspire to follow, be ''how wonderful that he has repented'' ?
What if I was a Southern Baptist and he became one? Or a Pentecostal and he became one? Or if I was a Catholic and he became one?
Some may also remember the Michael Porter case here in the UK. An elder from Clevedon who whilst shepherding the flock was also abusing some of the smaller sheep. I remember the UK press having a go at his sentence i.e. a community rehabilitation order. Some here on this forum also were quite angry. I rang London Beth Hell to ask a few questions re the Holy Spit and his appointment as an elder.
It seems Mr Porter is still a JW in London and many of us would probably not be too happy having him in our congregation.
However, and back to my question which I am addressing to those who view themselves as followers of Mr J Christ, surely forgiveness is a wonderful thing and any church would welcome people like Sutcliffe and Porter, and Hitler while we are at it, as long as they were repentant. After all isn't that what Jesus would do?
I remember Myra Hindley being reported as saying she was rehabiltated and should be released.
Personally, if I had committed those crimes but now felt totally rehabiltated and sorry for the bad I had done I would say ''Yes I am a new sorry, non dangerous person who should NEVER be let out of prison.''
Yes I really do think it's great when people see the error of their ways and turn around and maybe change their spots. However I would find it hard to forgive them.
I take the attitude; ' It's marvellous that you have repented but unfortunately this is a great shame and tragedy not only for your victims but also for you. If you truly are sorry you would not be asking to be released''
Am I getting the Christian message of forgiveness all wrong?
Thanks
Thomas Covenant