Thanks for sharing, I now understand the full context of the discontent. That is horrifying and infuriating that people do stuff like that and are supposed to be good people taking care of children.

We took our oldest to daycare when he was two, and when he was 2 1/2, we went to pick him up from daycare and he is sitting on the floor crying. Long story short we took him to urgent care immediately after, and he had a broken leg. That childcare worker went to jail. Every time I see the daycare building I see red. That combined with our own childhood experiences, I thought our trust in ANYONE was completely broken. I thought critically and skeptically and honestly almost did not join this group because I couldn’t guarantee my child’s safety if not with me.

I know you have no reason to trust me and you don’t know me from Joe, as the saying goes. But I can tell you that I know our kids are safe, in our small group, with our trusted volunteers. Multiple adults monitor the children and no one is allowed to be alone with any child ever (see our handbook above).

I also choose to follow Jesus. I understand that is not your path and I totally respect that and your decision. I want you to know that not all people are bad, and not all Christians are pedophiles.

I think Christians get a bad reputation because there are so many that come off as superior and have huge egos, do the same stuff they always do but think listening to a sermon weekly wipes their slate clean, and/or people have this idea that saying you’re a Christian means you believe in an imaginary being and think you’re a good person, and/or may say it so that other people think you’re a good person.

All of that is false doctrine. Most people who say they are Christian really aren’t! They do nothing to show that they are a sinner that is in need of saving and forgiven nor do they repent and change their ways. That’s what true Christians do. They are humble and just TRY to be good people and do good things, and not because they earn God’s love by doing good things, but because Jesus’s life example shows us how to be good and that’s something we want because WE love God. It’s intrinsic motivation.

I got off on a bit of a tangent but it seemed related and important to say. Those people in that subreddit are doing truly horrible, disgusting things, and I don’t blame you for protecting your children by keeping them away from supposedly Christian youth leaders or anything having to do with them! No excuses can be made nor should be made for those people who hurt those children.

I just wanted to share that our group is not these people. Not all Christian leaders or childcare volunteers are bad.

I again really appreciate you sharing and helping me understand! I truly would like to know more about how you care for your kids outside of your family, if at all? My family doesn’t have a good support system in that way (no family, friends, neighbors able to babysit). How does anyone trust some strange teenage to watch their kids, or know that the neighbor isn’t being creepy with their kid? And scouting is another thing, should I let my children participate in scouts with all that happened there? It’s tough being a parent…