I spent the last year with someone whom the legal system labelled a sex offender (not a predator, big distinction.)  Having a legal background, I familiarized myself with the law and the terms of his probation so that I, as the driver, would not inadvertently put him at risk.  First thing he did was made sure we could attend church together, it was no problem.  I awoke today to several Facebook messages asking me why sex offenders aren’t allowed to go to church, two mentioning my ex.  We’ve gone our separate ways so I don’t know what’s going on with him, but he IS allowed to go to church or choice of worship. If, however, there is a particular location that violates other terms of his probation, such as being near a school or city park, that’s a condition that might prevent his attendance. But he is allowed to go to church and worship.  He is also allowed to be around children unless, however, it is near a school or city park or location otherwise forbidden by probation.  Again that would be merely a location issue, as he is NOT forbidden to be around children.

His offense did not involve a child.  If it occurred in Florida, he would not be labelled a sex offender. The point is, the answer to was the particular sex offender I knew allowed to go to church, yes.  Was he allowed to be around children? Yes.  If either of these conditions have changed, there are details we don’t know.  Likely to do with location only. Nor is it our business, but since I got 3 messages about it overnight, I wanted to address it. These things are easy to misunderstand and misinterpret.  His probation officer spells it out for him.  There were details not disclosed to me until a year later. If you have questions, speak directly to the probation officer. If it is your concern, he will tell you.  This is another case of a third party having inaccurate info, not knowing it, and trying to help a friend. I can dig it. But it’s not their work to do. And you’re hurting him by continuing to bring it up. Let him handle it, if it needs to be handled.