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2009-06-02 issue:

Sex offenders not all created equal

by Mark Brull, Larned, Kan.

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I am so excited to hear the church and The Mennonite is addressing issues regarding sexual offenders, victims and the church. As a victim of exposure to sexuality on a dysfunctional level from about age 5 off and on to now—inside state-run hospitals, group homes and psychiatric placements—I'm grateful to know people are slowly opening their hearts.
As a sexual offender in my adult life, I know all too well isolation, rejection and loneliness. Many people often don't realize that hatred and rejection further complicate issues for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, which may lead to re-offense.

All sexual offenders are not created equal with respect to their pasts and present. For me, my problem is sexual boundaries and sexual addiction with adults and teenagers. I attract easily to dysfunctional and unhealthy friends and so-called support systems. It's hard to change all this when surrounded by the same dysfunctional people—often because more healthy people reject you.

In fact, I'm regularly abandoned by members of the church and other Christians. It takes a lot of dysfunctional people, places and things that lead us to being a victim and often later a perpetrator. It then takes a lot of healthy people, places, things—including compassion, love and forgiveness—to help lead us home. For some of us it's too late; for others we are just being reborn again.

Associated Issue: Wrestling at prayer - April 21, 2009

Associated Article: Mennonite churches discern if and how to minister to convicted sex offenders