BookRix

This is an excellent essay about the violation of children. You are right. The world seems more unsafe than ever for the little ones. Your story is thought-provoking and it lays out the areas that are weak links. Predators slip through these cracks. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have written about Amelia. I can't wait to read it.

I've come to this short piece later than most, but still want to comment. Well done, Patrick, for saying these things. Sadly you're correct in saying that majority of the perpertrators of crimes and abuse against kids, are men. There is no excuse for this. Abuse of children must be treated as a special category of crime, and should not be subject to the soft-pedalling and politically-correct machinations that most societies call justice these days.
And taken further, the priests and bishops et al, who have been part of the sexual abuse of kids, directly, or collatorally by their silence and inaction, but still swan around wearing rich vestments, carrying on as if no great crime has been committed against children, need to be stripped of the rich trappings, and should be made to wear sack-cloth and ashes to show their repentance for the abuse of the innocents. Then they should all be thrown in jail. I guess you will have noticed that I have strong feelings on this issue.

But back to you Patrick. Thanks for writing this piece. We need to be reminded of this again and again.

Your words are refreshing, not because the topic is pleasant, but because so many people are afraid to address it. It disturbs me how many people are willing to ignore the problems around them rather than do something about it, whether you are talking about protecting children, hunger, disease awareness, or animal abuse like Paula mentioned. It seems to be easier for people to look the other way until they are staring it in the face, and then they have to face the frustration of trying to tell others about the thing they were ignoring a short time ago.

It is fear. To do something about it you would have to acknowledge Its existence, that It is real, and It can get you as easily as the people you seek to help.

I believe that people are good and, made aware and given the tools, will be inclined to help others, BUT only those who are not blinded by their own fear. I have tried in the past to raise awareness, to give people the tools, but I have yet to find a way to address the fear, and it makes me sad.

The verses you mentioned are Matt. 18:4-7 (NIV)...
"Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!"

I fight for the rights of animals. Before you dismiss that as trivial compared to the plight of the child, consider that these monsters that abuse, maim, and kill children started young with animals that went either undetected or condoned, conditioning the individual to up the depravity.

Your quote is correct and all we who deplore the injustice that mankind calls normal and we cry out to God as horrific, need to stand and reclaim our homes, our neighborhoods, and our nations.

God is just but God gave man free will to do as he wishes while the flesh walk but the spirit will reap the injustice and the victims will reap their loving reward.

All we who can, must stand for right... God bless you for writing this.

I'm afraid to have my own because of this world we live in now. Good thoughts, Patrick.

Patrick,

I understand what you're saying and where you are coming from. In the past I experienced situations where I was in danger and was blessed to get out of them by using wisdom. Yes our children are vulnerable, but we must educate, have a listening ear, and be supportive Guardians.

Thanks Laura and Laz.
I might mention that Fly Home, Earli Byrd deals with the same terribly important scourge that has descended on our country...and the world.

I hear you loud and clear, Patrick.