Should a pastor HAVE to tell if a criminal confides in him?
Yes
Side Score: 10
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No
Side Score: 1
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With the way you explained it, the Pastor should do that only if he has told such criminal to repent and not to do go back to his/her vomit again. but if the pastor keeps listening without taking any action, it will get to a time that the criminal will kill one of the pastor's loved ones without knowing and then the pastor would be forced to report.ifthe explanation wasn't there, the pastor should not do such thing. Side: Yes
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1
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No. To me it is very clear that if a crime has happened in the past and the criminal tells the priest then the priest should be under no obligation to report him. The pastor should not have a duty to enforce justice. However a more difficult issue would be if the criminal is still dangerous. For example, imagine a child molester that has not only molested a child but admits to having strong tendencies to do it again. It may be argued that the pastor has a duty to protect the population at large by reporting this person to the police. However, to me there should be something sacrosanct between a pastor and someone who confides in him. I think its very important that those people that struggle with thoughts that could lead towards crime have a place to talk without being judged. It may be something they can move away from with the right support as part of a therapeutic process. If they know they can't talk about such feelings and tendencies its likely to get worse. I'd also say this should be the same for doctors. Side: No
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