Alaska Supreme Court Declares Sex Offender Registration Law Unconstitutional
On July 25, 2008, the Alaska Supreme Court declared Alaska's Sex Offender Registration Act unconstitutional. In a blog that I posted on this website on June 5, 2008 entitled "Sex Offender Registration: Is It Punishment?," I observed that "[i]n the case of Smith v. Doe, the [United States Supreme] Court ruled that Alaska's sex-offender registration statute did not violate the Ex Post Facto Clause of the U.S. Constitution because the Alaska State Legislature's intention in passing that particular law was not to punish sex offenders but rather to create a 'civil, nonpunitive regime.' " I concluded that posting by opining that although courts may call sex offender statutes nonpunitive, they certainly seem punitive to me (and apparently to many others based upon the response that I have had to that posting).
It appears that the Alaska Supreme Court shares my view because it recently declared Alaska's Sex Offender Registration Act ("ASORA") unconstitutional in the case of John Doe v. State of Alaska. In John Doe, Alaska's High Court stated in relevant part that:
We first ask “[w]hether the sanction involves an affirmative disability or
restraint.” The state argues that ASORA involves neither because it imposes no
physical restraint, has obligations less harsh than occupational debarment — which the
Supreme Court has held to be non-punitive — and, in the Supreme Court’s words,
“restrains [no] activities sex offenders may pursue but leaves them free to change jobs
or residences.”
But even though the statute imposes no physical restraints, we agree with Justice Stevens’s dissenting comments in Smith that ASORA “impose[s] significant affirmative obligations and a severe stigma on every person to whom [it] appl[ies].” First, ASORA compels affirmative post-discharge conduct (mandating registration, reregistration, disclosure of public and private information, and updating of that information) under threat of prosecution. The duties are significant and intrusive, because they compel offenders to contact law enforcement agencies and disclose information, some of which is otherwise private, most of it for public dissemination.
Furthermore, the time periods associated with ASORA are intrusive. Sex offenders convicted of an aggravated sex offense or two or more sex offenses must re-register quarterly for the rest of their lives; all other offenders must re-register annually for fifteen years. All sex offenders who change residences must notify the state trooper office or municipal police department closest to their new residences within one working day. As we stated in Doe v. State, Department of Public Safety (Doe A), “ASORA thus treats offenders not much differently than the state treats probationers and parolees subject to continued state supervision.”
Second, we agree with the conclusion of Justice Ginsburg, also dissenting in Smith, that ASORA “exposes registrants, through aggressive public notification of their crimes, to profound humiliation and community-wide ostracism.” In the decision reversed in Smith, the Ninth Circuit observed that “[b]y posting [registrants’] names, addresses, and employer addresses on the internet, the Act subjects [registrants] to community obloquy and scorn that damage them personally and professionally.” The Ninth Circuit observed that the practical effect of this dissemination is that it leaves open the possibility that the registrant will be denied employment and housing opportunities as a result of community hostility. As Justice Souter noted in concurring in Smith, “there is significant evidence of onerous practical effects of being listed on a sex offender registry.” Outside Alaska, there have been reports of incidents of suicide by and vigilantism against offenders on state registries.
We also disagree with the Supreme Court’s conclusion in Smith that the obligations ASORA imposes are less harsh than the occupational debarment which the Court has held to be non-punitive. The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of post-conduct professional sanctions that included the prohibition of further participation in the banking industry and revocation of medical licenses. A comparable bar for sex offenders who pose a risk to children might be employment in places frequented by children. But the practical effects here can predictably extend to all employment opportunities as well as to all other non-employment aspects of life, including housing opportunities. There are published reports that offenders are sometimes subjected to protests and group actions designed to force them out of their jobs and homes. We agree that “[t]he practical effect of such unrestricted dissemination could make it impossible for the offender to find housing or employment.”
I would suggest that anyone interested in the subject of sex offender registration laws read the John Doe opinion in its entirety because of its well-reasoned approach to a very emotionally-charged issue.
Will this have reaching effects for other states to abolish registration on this ruling as well as other federal laws (Jessica's ans adam walsh).
We as a society have an image in our minds about what a “sex offender” is. Our legislators and policymakers share this oversimplified view when creating shortsighted laws on this matter. The unintended consequences are often profound. Please view this web page to see how absurd and ruthlessly cruel our policies on this hot button issue have become.
www.rickyslife.com
The media have a responsibility to bring these injustices to light. PLEASE, if you're in the media, have the courage to make these facts known. If you're not, PLEASE review this web site and see what our nation has done, and sign the petition to let our legislators know that this is INTOLERABLE.
yeah rite, of course they are punitive. i have been outcast from society over a hug. it was a misdemeanor that occurred with an adult and was completely non-violent. i have had to leave my home, my friends, the woman i love and have encountered threatening calls, prank calls, had my car keyed up and been subject to RETROACTIVE LAWS which were not a part of my original sentence. all this when i have never even had a parking ticket since the incident happened 13 years ago. i hugged a girl and she said i was holding her when her husband saw us hugging and kissing. go figure. she was over 30 years old. even Ben Franklin and Leonardo Divinci stated that to be outcast from society is the worst form of punishment. i cannot even find a house to live in anymore and a job is basically out of the question as no one will hire me. but they are not punitive. having to constantly check in everywshere i go and use my $$, gas, wear and tear on my car as well as all the demeaning looks constanly are not punishment either?? my butt. anyone who is burdened with doing things against their will is being punished, i don't care what anyone says. Peace
Come watch this 9 minute video about a 14 year old innocent child being raped by the united states government and the government of Louisiana by this unconstitutional federal law.
Sit and watch that 9 minute video, uninterrupted by cell phones, or television or other people. Devote 9 minutes to that video of an innocent child... then, come back and post if YOU think the law is Punishment and Unconstitutional.
This law makes Thousands of Victims.
That is what these lawmakers keep saying, Get tough on crime, protect the Victims.... They are the criminals, they are hurting these innocent children with these draconian laws.
http://www.failamerica.blogspot.com Watch the video.
He said, I just want to be a somebody again... those words haunt me every day.
Excellent. The Constitution works.
Enough is enough! No more unconstitutional laws in America ! The sex offender registry and it's insane regulations and restrictions is an enormous travesty of justice, we must stand and fight for our right to be free in OUR COUNTRY? The line in the sand has been drawn! Join in!
Women Against the
Registry
http://www.pacatwar.org and join with Women Against the
Registry (you don’t have to be a woman)
and be ready to become a true activist. If you do this, be ready to
take to the streets. This group is not about sitting and waiting.
They need your financial support, even if it is one dollar,
and they expect your active passion and participation.
I am currently having my life ripped apart because of sex offender registration. I am twenty five and was adjudicated of the crime when I was 14 for offenses I committed when I was 12 and 13. I went to treatment for four years, two of which were in a group home, passed two polygraphs and a psycho sexual evaluation, yet was refused a certificate of completion. Now I am being harassed by cops for not registering because I spend a lot of time at my girlfriend's house, who is due to have our baby any day now. I do not want to register at her house for fear that the father of her eighteen month old son, who I have raised as my own since he was four months old, will find out and take him away from my girlfriend. I realize that the things I did in the past are horrible, but I am not a screwed up thirteen year old boy anymore and have no desire to repeat the things I've done. If everyone were registered for the rest of their lives for the things they did as a kid 90% of society would be registered and labeled freaks. There are also studies that prove that registering only increases recidivism, by overwhelming the registrant with the exact emotions- alienation, humiliation, self -hatred- that lead a person to offend.
I currently live with trying to get a job and find a non-violent place to live because of something that happend over 18+ yrs. ago.
I had been out drinking and went home alone. Unknown to me at the time my sister's children were staying at my parents house where I had been dropped off for the night so I didn't have to drive home. While in the bathroom,(which didn't have a lock on the door at the time), masturbating to releave some sexual tension, my niece walks in on me. I jumped she jumped and then said I was sick in the head and then she walked out. The whole situation became completely blown out of the water and I served 13.5 years for a rape, (which is what they charged me with and though there was no physical evidence to support the state claimed a Doctors testimony is what got me convicted because he said he "believed" I had done it.) I didn't commit the crime but am paying dearly for it.
Now I can't find a job (even with an A.A.S. in Business). I can't pay my bills. I have a huge child support payment that built up over the 13.5 yrs. in prison (over 25k). I am now married, however, my wife's daughter was taken out of her home because her mother and I got married. I am also an Ordained Minister now but even that is of little value. It seems like the harder I try to be a better citizen in the eyes of my fellow country men and women the more laws they change to restrict me even more. I have completed a Private Investigaters course so that I might find someway to provide for my family and even that is of no use to me. my wife had to join the military just so we could survive a little bit and now that isn't enough with the rising cost of living... so someone please tell me how all of these laws aren't punitive or unconstitutional.
To the best of my knowledge the Federal Gov. isn't supposed to dictate or become directly involved with the lives of the citizens of this country. we fought a bloody war to get away from oppression yet here we are slowly but surely one group of people at a time losing our most powerful Constitutional Rights. The right to live freely from pursecution when a debt to socity has been paid.
What good is our Constitution if we allow it to be trampled upon by the very people we elected to protect it?
I was so relieved after reading some of the posted comments at this website. Voices of reason, in such a chaotic storm of confused hatred and fear. This sex offender registration process is draconian to the point that it threatens my belief in the goodness of humanity. The quality that sustains us through the ages is the virtue of forgiveness. We must not forget that we are more alike than different. To force another to live in this prison of ostracism under threat of prosecution, is a flaw of human character. We are so much better than that. When I hear some hardliner proclaim "this is not further punishment", I am both saddened and insulted. I am a voter, mother, housewife,provider and proud American, what I am not Sir, is a fool. In the immortal words of one south-westerner "Don't pee on my boots and tell me it's raining".
I am a Registered Sex Offender. I have 1 conviction for having a friends 15 yr old cousin give me a naked picture of herself when I was 23.
I also have 1 conviction for failure to register- the local police made it almost impossible to register at the time, saying only 1 person in the entire department could do it, and she was on vacation for 2 weeks.
Due to having "2 or more violations of the Sex Offender Act" I am not eligible to ever have my name removed- for the rest of my life. Forever.
I have since dealt with trying to find a job- Good Luck!! Trying to find a place to live, when they say "school bus stops" what happens when the bus stops change, as they do yearly according to population?
Good luck being registered and trying to find out where they are so you can COMPLY with the law- obviously, you are looking for victims, the police say.
I've even had children point me out and ask, "mommy is THAT the man I'm supposed to stay away from?"
I have been turned down for loans, jobs, even told that "no sex offender is allowed to live in this building" when trying to find apartments.
I'll consider an act like this to be unfair til the day I die.
Congratulations Alaska!! You have shown common sense.
I feel for all of you on the SOR. My husband was accused more than 25 years ago by an ex girl friend. She accused him of messing with her daughter. He plead rather than going to trial to save the family grief. None of this is true. I have been with him almost 20 years and have gone through a lot with him. First of all was the arrest, for the non-publicized law of having to register. Now we are subject to middle of the night residency checks. Why do these have to be performed in the middle of the night? There are plenty of other hours in the day. He has complied with every requirement, but still they harrass. My employment has to depend on SOR laws of any state I may want to work. This is an overwhelming shadow on our relationship and the first thing we think of when planning a vacation or retirement. The SOR has not done a thing to protect anyone. It is merely a method to restrict where people can live and if they can earn a living. I have not done anything, yet I am paying a price too. Why should that be?
Hello Mr.Chapman:
First I would like to thank you for providing this site and presenting news of Alaska's recent decision and voicing your opinion of these laws. I recognize the political danger you place yourself in by taking a position against these laws.
As you are aware these laws have everything to do with money, power and politics and nothing to do with child saftey.
I Recognize you are not siding with, condoning or defending those who have commited sex offenses especially against children. I sense you are more of a Patriot standing up for our U.S. Constitution which in the political world can mean political suicide. This takes much more courage and belief in our system of government to stand up for the rights of all citizens.
What I see happening with the citizens of the U.S. is their weakness of believing things unscrupulous politicians tell them without verifying everything they say. I have found so many very uncontitutional rulings that it frightens me. In Smith vs Doe Kennedy's opinion states high sex crime recidivism. He has not established what this means. As you probably know the DOJ states percentages second only to murder. DOJ states in the 3 to 5 Percent range. I have followed many studies and have found variables from 3 to 10 percent. This is still far far below the rates of all other crimes rearrest rate.
Kennedy was either ill informed (ignorant of the facts), Politically hamstringed, or seeking favorable rapport from the general public and its wives tale beliefs. He must feel his politics take precedence over his sworn oath to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
The public in general form opinions based on political and media based advertising to mislead the public to approve passage of laws which in effect removes Constitutional protection from themselves.
Joseph Goebbles used this exact approach to generate a cause to hate the Jewish people. BUT he started with ,yes child molesters, Then the old, then the mentally retarded and finally the Holocaust.
Megan's law is a "test bed" to see how far politicians can push us by tearing away our rights. Drunk drivers now in some states have to place a special license plate on their cars for past convictions. The wild right is trying to overturn Roe then prosecute the Abortionist as well as the mother aserting murder of which there is no Statute of Limitations.
All politicianc are going berserk for power. If your hysteria over sex crimes is uncontrollable and you denounce the truth of the matter you will eventually vote yourself out of meaningful existence. Know something about what you think you hate. Know your subject matter before having an opinion. Know that politicians want to keep you ignorant so they can rule you like sheep.
" He who would give up a freedom for temporary comfort deserve neither freedom nor comfort"
Benjamin Franklin
I have read that one way goverments are judged is how they treat their societies offenders.
The Constitution is for ALL citizens not just the supposed perfect ones.
If your child had been the one that was attacked or molested, you would want the book thrown at them. It's a little bit different if you are on the outside looking in, or if you are personally involved.
Sex Offender Reg. Is Unconstitutional. Anyone should be punished for the Crime(s) they commit. But, This here is further punishment. I was convicted of Aggravated Oral Sex. battery 20yrs ago. Since then this charge was removed from the Law books and now its just Oral sex. battery. I had gotten the max sentence of 20yrs on this charge and Railroaded. I had to register too. Now, At my Job I'm being Harrassed because I know TO MUCH and they are using my past to Harrass me. They have called My Parole officer about 20-25 times tryn to get me arrested. They have called the city marshall several times with lies. A guy from my Job came to my house and busted my window(I had no proof) and My truck was hit at the Job and The cameras so-say were not working. I'm not perfect, but I am A born again Christain. Since I got out of Prison in 2005 - I got a Job and Bought a House.(payn notes) I just want to live in peace.
I have to register for life and I do not have a conviction; out of fear of community reprisal, I took a plea deal and did what I was told to do for ten years. A new law retroactively mandated that I register for life which is not what I agreed to. That was in 1997, I have since completed my probation sentence and raised three good boys headed for college. I feel that I am being imprisoned at home as I can't find work and it has been difficult to find a residence for my family. My children have endured harsh treatment at school and neighborhood.
This is not fair or just and this is turning into a public panic that is not solving any problems.
Responding to JR April 23 2010:
If one of my children were assualted I would be enraged. Having said that I would take comfort the perpetrators would be caught, tried and if guilty punished based on the severity of their offense.
If we as a society return to a primitive state of mind such as exists now in many mid eastern countries the wouldn't we be taking a step backwards?
If those of you are easily made hysterical cannot rationalize while in your hysteria, then you cannot vote intelligently.
All who have this tendency are equally dangerous as the original perpertrators. You will agree to pass laws which give you "temporary comfort" yet those perpertrators accused of crimes are left unprotected.
Remember the Constitutional of the United States was Written to prevent "Mobacracy" from happening. That is to say by majority vote you could pass any law for any purpose, Stealing, hands amputated, Graffiti, fingers mutilated, adultry, stoned to death the list could go on.
Are we a society of correction or only punishment. If punishment is the only goal is there any hope for rehabilitation? Do you honestly feel that ex effenders of any crime should not be forgiven.
We must educate ourselves to Political Modis Operendi. Why do politicians wish to punish. Basically for reelection and funding for more beauacry red tape you pay for through escalating taxes. These laws have not in the past protected anyone except the employment of mis guided law enforcement and more beauracray.
Please study the subject in depth then email back here. You can start by reviewing th Department of Justice Crime Statistics readily available on the Internet. Review Alaska's aboilition of Megan's law based on its retroactive application. This should be of particulr interest because it invalidated the US Supreme court decision of feb 2003. At least some officials are not given in to legislative political pressure.
The main question here is are these laws even needed? Almost all reports suggest not. Think about this next opinion I state: How did we survive before all these laws.
All the media hype of the few murders of children over the last 20 or so years were by ex offenders. However these people told their prison boards they would reoofend if released. How come they were still released? Ref: James Timmendequas-killer of Megan Kanka / John Couey-killer of Jessica Landsford and a couple of others. They were media hyped for hysteria.
Laws were enacted to pacify the public and show how tough politicians are on crime for votes. Seems pretty sick to me. Political whores to say the least.
Thank you for allowing me to voice the truth for a change
I was convicted of rape and sodomy 30yrs ago by an all white racist jury in a predominantly all white community.I am a dark skinned minority who did not have a criminal history before the conviction or any after the conviction.
The facts: there was no medical or physical evidence, no semen, no hair, no blood, no DNA no scratches or bites, no witnesses, no investigation report of the crime scene by the police or any evidence placing me at the alleged crime scene ever.
But the prosecutor stated to the jury that there was penetration and penetration can be made without having any evidence what so ever, no damage to the tissue in the woman's vagina. MY lawyer did not object to this. The fact of the matter is that there was no evidence of penetration, just a statement by the woman that I raped her.
How can there be rape when there is no proof or evidence? Is it rape just because a woman says it was rape?
Is that all that is necessary for a woman convict someone for rape, just her word?
Is a white woman's word that powerful against a minority where when she falsely claims rape a minority will be found guilty without evidence?
The alleged victim was a white woman 17 years old with a 3 year old fatherless child who falsely accused me of the crime because I had called the police on her sister who borrowed my car and would not bring it back to me as agreed and stole a watch I left in the car.
I was 20 years old and had no idea what kind of lawyer I needed. I thought all lawyers were good lawyers and I had no idea that I needed a criminal lawyer who had experienced in rape cases. MY lawyer didn't even know how to fight a traffic ticket or even make out a will. I was represented by an incompetent legal council who objected to nothing at all.
My lawyer didn't even bother to ask where was the crime scene investigation report.
He could have pointed out that no only was there no medical or physical evidence but also no evidence of me ever being at the alleged crime scene and he could have questioned why wasn't there no investigation conducted by the police? He could have asked was the police trying to deny me my right to the crime scene investigation report.
The police obstructed justice and committed a crime themselves by not providing a crime scene investigation in order to deny me my right to question the accuser.
I am angry and upset that I was wrongfully convicted, that my attorney was a complete incompetent jerk who objected to nothing and questioned nothing. He let the prosecutor get away with violating my rights and destroying my life.
I do think about suicide all the time and I am very unhappy with a lot of people for doing what the have done to me and my right to be happy and free.
30 years later I now have to register.
If I commit suicide who will take care of my kids and who will they call dad anymore.
I am ashamed of myself living as a convicted rapist and now required to remember and register every year.
As you can see why I am so freaking upset and angry at the world. I am depressed all the time and think about suicide everyday and its consequences.
Since my neighbors were alerted of my conviction they have changed and no ignore me and have stopped letting their kids play with my kids.
I am always afraid that my neighbors kids will one day tease and poke fun at my children and cause them embarrassment. I am being pushed into a corner by being reminded of my conviction and my legal obligation to register.
Please, someone please ask the legislature to abolish the registration requirements and lets us live in peace.
For all those "lawmakers" out there, the Sen. Larry Craig's, the Florida Rep. Mark Foley's and the like,I wonder how they like the publicity ?? and then they have the Hypocrisy to say that "registry" laws "are not punishment". Geeee,what happened to your jobs?? and they are not even on the "registry" for decades!
Point is, the ones who make these laws, even more the retroactive laws,They KNOW that the laws are unconstitutional, they are punishment, they cause undue stress, and keep the ones on the list under their thumb......the laws are not designed for an "offender" to succeed and better their lifes in any way. All these laws are, is a political placebo. The thing is, it takes guts to stand up against it.
How many will stand on the side of truth, when it involves a sex offender ?? It's like being a friend to an American Indian, or a African American in the 1800's....and we all know what happened to them wasn't right. All that happened is, they (lawmakers)paint a different color on their bias,prejustice,bigotry, and self rightousness.
Think about the stats.... 2008,, the DOJ conclude that there is 600,000 "offenders" nationwide, with a approx. 14% recommitting another offense.
Problem is, "seems" everyone is looking at "the glass half empty", (rubbernecking) and loose site of the positive !! WHAT ABOUT THE OVER 500,000 THAT DON'T REOFFEND, and their spouses, and children that get harrassed, beaten in school, cyberbullied, the list of "punishments" goes on !!!
It would be great to have the truth told about what goes on in an EX "offenders" home, and detail ALL the struggles the go thru each day. I know that I won't get any points for this comment, but you have to say "hats off" to those on "the list" that struggle to live normally despite all the national ridicule.
They, these EX "offenders", have more backbone that all the ones that demonize everyone together collectively.
I have been a registered sex offender for the last 12 years. I was convicted of third degree sex offense when I was 18 years old. I had sex with a underage girl that I have no idea was underage. Since the day of my arrest I have been treated like monster from the people in my community. I've been attacked, harassed, stalked, and ridiculed by neighbors. I have been forced out of neighborhoods and turned for jobs that I was qualified for thanks to these draconian laws. I was only require to register for 10 years but now I'm required to register for life. No one can convince me and my family that this isn't cruel and unusual punishment. We have suffered and will continue to suffer as long as this registration system remains in place.
SIGN THE PETITION TO TAKE THE PUBLIC SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY DOWN
SHORT LINK TO THE PETITION
http://bit.ly/f7Z4MJ
I am a victim abused by a school teacher who had at least 40 other victims over the course of his teaching career before he was arrested and convicted. He was out of prison by the time I was college-aged. The only comfort I've had all of these years is being able to track where he is living so that I can be sure to avoid being anywhere near his neighborhood, which can be difficult in a place like Alaska. The last time he had to register he was living next to the fairgrounds. Now that his name is removed from the register, I wonder how many families with young children will head off to the fair and never know how close they are to someone who ruined a good portion of my life. A sexual crime isn't over when the act is over. I'm still a victim. His actions set me down a road of self-destructive behavior. It took me years to get my head straight and rebuild my self-esteem and confidence. And to this day, I'm still afraid of the dark. What about my rights? All I want is to know where he is so I can avoid him.
I agree that some sex offenders need to register, especially ones who have done crimes more than once, and against young children. Young bodies are what those people are attracted to. They don't look at people their own age and get aroused.If you ever been to a sex offender class you would know that. But there are plenty of people out there like myself who made a mistake and got caught. I don't think about doing it again. I went to prison, finished my classes, learned a lot too. Still register. If these people would stop and think before they make laws. We could be actually be watching the ones we need to instead of trying to weed threw them all.
While I am on the registry, I do not concur with a "PUBLIC" registry. This is the most humiliating, inhumane, unfair, UN GODLY "code" there has ever existed.
maxims of law dictates...
# If ever the law of God and man are at variance, the former are to be obeyed in derogation of the later. [Acts 5:29]
# That which is against Divine Law is repugnant to society and is void.
# Where the Divinity is insulted the case is unpardonable.
When people make merit less statements against GOD, they are speaking against the LAW as well. ALL law is based on God's law. And the Law upon which ALL law stands is subject to it. Even the LAW itself is ordained of GOD and recognizes God. But when man makes code, acts, or other similar "law", that are contrary to God's then the UN GODLY law should be abolished.
Christians are in my opinion the biggest hypocrites in the world. (I say that because I am a Christian) I say that because it is them, who idly sit by and watch this sinister act take place. And they also partake in the cruelty, by pointing fingers, and passing laws to LIMIT sex offender FROM receiving the TRUTH. WHO are you to come between them and God? Is it not true, Jesus said... "whatsoever tho has done unto the least of these my brethren, have also done unto me. Did he not come for the sinners?
Again Maxims of law dictates..
# He who does not willingly speak the truth, is a betrayer of the truth.
# Whenever there is a doubt between liberty and slavery, the decision must be in favor of liberty.
# Laws are abrogated or repealed by the same authority by which they are made.
# Force and wrong are greatly contrary to peace.
# He who does not repel a wrong when he can, induces it.
# A contract founded on a base and unlawful consideration, or against good morals, is null.
The sex offender registry is made of a contract. Law is contract, contract makes the law, and "CONSENT" makes the contract.
It is a sad thing to see people who claim to be good... when All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
The Bible tells us to study, to show thyself approved, a workmanship of God that need not be ashamed. And Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
Is it not true Jesus said to the woman who was found guilty of adultery "go and sin no more"? So who are we as Christians to support a law that is contradictory of God's Divine Law?
When are we going to stand up for our brethren who have really made a righteous decision to repentance?
Are we Christians? Or the devils advocate?
Unfortunately there is no one else to stand up for the truth. There is a force who many are afraid to speak of, much less stand against. And so sadly the ones who are able to stand, don't. Those are the ones God will judge. Judgment begins within the church first.
Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows shall he also reap.
I would hope the sleeping church would wake up some day, before it is too late.
The sad truth exists that now they have a "permitted law" to use expost facto. they now have YOUR permission to expost ANY law they want. And there is NOTHING you can do about it.
I would encourage all of you, to look at the REAL purpose of a jury. You DO have the power to make change. Now GROW up and take responsibility for your lives, and the sake of your children, and love of God.
After all we have...