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Is It Really That Bad?


Mrs. Bro. Adam

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Mrs. Bro. Adam

Is it wrong to be happy about someone being sent to jail?

Let me tell you the story. A while back my brother threatened to kill Adam and me. (He didn't want anyone to call S.S. on him regarding his son.) We kept a very long distance from him. Later I find out that while he was married, he got his girlfriend pregnant. Now they're broken up. He did some things that made her think twice about being with him, and he refused to get a divorce. (What he was doing would've been wrong anyways.) Well...anyways, to make a long story short, he finally went back to his wife, gave my mom the chance to get guardianship of my nephew, his son (which she got). He was tossed in jail due to drug possession. He got out.

Here's the part I wonder about. Yesterday he went to trail. He was accused of molestation of a minor (can I say that in here?), and was found guilty on all three counts. He's waiting for his sentencing. Is it wrong for me to be happy that he's going to be serving time in jail? I'm not happy that he was found guilty on this crime, but I am happy that he's in jail...Sometimes I believe that that's where he belongs...Anyways, I'm going to quit rambling now. Part of me is happy and has no regret about being happy of him being in jail, but then there's the other part that feels guilty about being happy that he's in jail....

Any thoughts? Comments?

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Is happy the right word? Maybe you're relieved. I would be. I would be relieved cuz maybe he would get help, maybe his atttitude would change.

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If he's put you, your husband, and others through all that carp, jail is where he needs to be. Maybe it's the best thing that could have happened to him!

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Mrs. Bro. Adam

i think that's justified

he deserves jail if he is guilty

The thing is that I don't know for sure if he really did it or not. I mean...he's capable of a lot of things....molestation, though....I cna't see him doing it...then again...I can't see anyone doing it! I don't know....it's so confusing!!!!

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Mrs. Bro. Adam

Is happy the right word? Maybe you're relieved. I would be. I would be relieved cuz maybe he would get help, maybe his atttitude would change.

I hope so...

What I forgot to include is that I 'settled' things with him....Told him what he was mistaken in....does that make a difference in your answer?

Edited by Lil Red
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IcePrincessKRS

I'm with llrddvl@stpius on this, I think that rather than joy you're relieved, which sometimes feels like a surge of happiness. I'd be relieved in your shoes that he is paying for his crimes. Sometimes it takes a good hard smack upside the head to realize our mistakes and work on bettering ourselves, and thats how I'd view this jail time.

Your brother and all your family will be in my prayers. :)

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If he is a molester, and it's very likely that he is, he needs to be separated from society. Molesters generally cannot be rehabilitated, and he will be a danger to others when released. So he's in the right place. I'd be concerned when he gets out.

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I think all Catholics can sympathize with you in this area. We felt the same feelings many times over the last couple of years with regards to priests who went to jail or were dismissed from the priesthood for sexual impropriety. Were we "happy" to see them go? No, but I don't think we were "sad" either. It's a feeling of sadness mixed with relief. Even a little reassurance thrown in. God is just, he punishes those whom he has to. In justice, we must do the same.

Of course, you and your family are in my prayers.

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I'm guessing your feeling more of a releif than a hate but still pray for him. Get Adam to pray for him also (NIV Matthew 18

19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.).

Edited by musturde
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T,

just think, if he hadn't had to face these charges, what other trouble might he be getting into?

You must feel relieved that now that he is incarcerated, he can't harm any more innocent victims.

Jail time may be a wake up call for him, as well as an opportunity for him to pay some debt to society for the wrongs he has committed.

His sentence sounds just.

You may feel some pity, since he's your brother, at the mess he's made of his life. But with all the torment he has caused, isn't incarceration--separation from lawful society--the best thing for him?

Pax Christi. <><

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Mrs. Bro. Adam

T,

just think, if he hadn't had to face these charges, what other trouble might he be getting into?

You must feel relieved that now that he is incarcerated, he can't harm any more innocent victims.

Jail time may be a wake up call for him, as well as an opportunity for him to pay some debt to society for the wrongs he has committed.

His sentence sounds just.

You may feel some pity, since he's your brother, at the mess he's made of his life.  But with all the torment he has caused, isn't incarceration--separation from lawful society--the best thing for him?

Pax Christi. <><

I suppose so...it's just a really hard thing to deal with. I'm struggling with whether I should believe him or not.

I suppose this is just one of those things that I may never really know the answer to, and therefore should do neither believe that he did it or believe that he didn't do it. I just need to leave this to God and not worry about it.

It's so hard to do, though!!!!

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cmotherofpirl

I suppose so...it's just a really hard thing to deal with. I'm struggling with whether I should believe him or not.

I suppose this is just one of those things that I may never really know the answer to, and therefore should do neither believe that he did it or believe that he didn't do it. I just need to leave this to God and not worry about it.

It's so hard to do, though!!!!

There is nothing wrong with reserving judgement.

God will deal with him.

Keep him in your prayers and wish him well. And in case he is guilty, say a prayer for anyone he may have affected.

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