Monday, May 14, 2007

Convicted prostitutes becoming teachers?

This kind of legislation must be answered.

Posted at KATU - Portland, Oregon

SALEM, Ore. (AP) _ The Oregon Senate has approved a bill allowing some women convicted of misdemeanor prostitution to be eligible for a state teaching license.

Supporter Sen. Margaret Carter, a Portland Democrat, invoked the gospel of redemption and forgiveness, and the sins of judgment.

Carter had pushed a similar bill last session but withdrew it when it appeared it would not pass the then-Republican-run House. Some Democrats had problems with it as well.

Decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

The conviction would have to be at least five years old for a woman to be considered for a teaching license or other work in a school.

Similar laws exist in California, Washington, Idaho and Nevada.

The bill goes to the House.

Now don't get me wrong, I believe that God is a God of another chance. When we stumble, He is faithful to forgive us if we are truly repentent and confess our sin. However, God knows when I am truly repentent. How do we know if these women have changed to the point where the moral character is not questionable? Would you send your children to just anyone to watch over them and teach them and guide them for up to 8 hours every day if you thought that their moral character was questionable at least, abhorent at worst? There must be some process in place to ensure that these women (I'm assuming that they're are women if they've been convicted of prostitution, but the same goes for men) have not only reconciled their lives, but their character as well.

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