So, in the LDS church 8 years old is considered the age of accountability, where you should officially know right from wrong and be held completely responsible for your choices.
But what about abused children? What about kids with fetal alcohol syndrome? What if they were molested when they were young and they have severe sexual issues for the rest of their lives. Are they held accountable for the poor choices they make then, which they wouldn't have made if it wasn't for the abuse?
Where is the line?
I just emailed my bishop about this because I've been wondering about it alot lately.
5 comments:
This is where God is awesome. None of us can judge to what extent others are accountable for what they do, especially when it comes to mental illness.
This bothered me for awhile when it came to serial killers and whatnot. Some of these people really don't know the difference between right or wrong, or the wiring is off in their brain. But then the people who lose loved ones deserve some kind of justice.
This is why the LDS concept of "heaven" and "hell" really makes sense to me. I don't believe those people shouldn't be condemned to hell like in other faiths. And it really is awesome how God does give these people some sort of glory in the Telestial Kingdom. It really does make you see how much God loves all of His children...
Marjorie Hinckley wrote in her autobiograhy that she expected when we get to heaven, we'll be surprised who's there. Her point was that we are quick to judge the wrongs of others, how low they are, when actually, considering the often-hidden trauma of the past..they are doing the very best they can. The Lord sees all.
You know the concept of the sins of the children on the head of the parents, or sins of the parents, or whatever...that's the concept. I believe the parents (or abusers) will be responsible in those cases for the sins of the children. Just a personal opinion based on how I understand the doctrine.
i echo nikki's point. also, i have felt the same way, not because of sins as a child, but because i honestly didn't know what decisions i was making at that age. until this week we talked about the holy ghost. and it makes sense that children need the holy ghost in order to start making correct and inspired decisions as well as how to recognize the 'warm & fuzzy' feeling.
..the end. (:
Often times the parents are that way because of their parents and so on. So, when would the individual themselves be accountable?
This is all why I'm glad I'm not the one that has to make final judgments.
Post a Comment