Jewish religious leaders once brought a woman for the death penalty (for reference, John 8:1-11), but Jesus wrote sins on the ground and asked the accusers that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone, so all the accusers vanished one by one from the scene. But for the abuse of innocent children, He gives a hard and final verdict.
The wrath of the Lord Jesus is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 18:6-7, Mark 9:42, and Luke 17:1-2. Jesus’ teachings on humility and protection are found in these Gospels, and they are the same in all the Gospels, as Matthew 18:6 states: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble (abuse), it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
In ancient times, being drowned in the sea with a heavy millstone (a massive stone used to grind grain) meant an absolute, inescapable death with no chance of a proper burial. The words “little ones” literally referred to children, although our Lord Jesus used this term for His disciples and new believers.
This is a sin that is practiced in humanity. The person who practices it is called a pedophile, who experiences a primary or exclusive attraction to prepubescent children aged 13 or younger. A group of people who are engaged in this curse call it a medical disorder. Major medical manuals, like the DSM-5 and ICD-11, classify this as a mental health condition called pedophilic disorder. According to this manual, a pedophile must be at least 16 years old and at least five years older than the child.
Almost all people involved in this practice defend it as a clinical mental disorder, but the truth is that when a child is abused, his or her life and social psychology are highly affected. In many situations when a child is molested, the pedophile is afraid of what he is doing, and to conceal his sin, he kills his victims. Thus they become serial pedophiles and killers and become very dangerous.
There are many professional mental health treatments involved, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help individuals manage thoughts and prevent harmful actions. But I think the best is that a child is taught religiously from childhood that the Holy God does not like this sin. The Law of God revealed through the Prophet Moses in the Book of Leviticus 18:11 forbids sexual relations within family boundaries.
In this age, this practice has increased like a common practice around the world, but punishing individuals found in this act is different in Pakistan. In Western countries, if anyone is accused, he is taken under severe punishment and is punished accordingly. But in our country, if someone is caught, a crowd of people gathers around the accused to save him from punishment. These accused are mostly relatives or bodyguards of authorities, and attorneys play a big role. They make every effort in black and white to save the culprits.
In religious institutions, seniors and even heads of institutions are found in these activities. The cry of the victim and the weeping of siblings, mother, sister, and brother over dead bodies does not affect the hearts of rulers, judges, and the administration. Attorneys forget humanity and only quench their thirst for money. Everybody, according to their responsibility, gets their share and the culprit is freed without accusation.
*Who is Responsible for Child Abuse?*
The family itself is mainly responsible. In olden times, a mother’s bosom was considered a main factor to nourish a child physically and spiritually, and it is also the main shelter of a child. But what can be done about the present culture and needs that require the mother also to go to work? The result is that the child is left in the hands of a stranger, so the child is brought up in brutal circumstances. Mostly, children from these kinds of families are trapped easily by pedophiles. These pedophiles may be members of the family, visitors, or customers. And when children start going to religious institutions, senior students and teachers trap them and destroy their virginity. Children should not be allowed alone to visit neighbors and relatives without the company of their mother and father.
If the police, attorneys, and justice department decide that they will not spare the accused without punishment, then this crime rate can be lowered. In Punjab, a cell called CCD in the police department has brought good results, but opponents of CCD are facing opposition when culprits use social bloggers to try to finish this good cell.
My proposal is that the mother should shelter her child in her bosom and teach her children to be frank with her and tell each and every detail that people talk about with them. Children should be taught not to be free with strangers even when they are visiting their houses, or with friends of mother and father and elders. Children should be taught to ask for help from the police. The best thing is, if a pedophile is found, a millstone should be hung around his neck and he should be thrown into the sea for an inescapable, certain death. Social bloggers who point out such people should be awarded. This is a very serious matter and should be taken seriously because the future of the nation depends on our healthy children.