MK forum

Look at articles 17 and 18 of the Estatuto da Criança e Adolescente. Children and adolescents should not receive inhuman, violent, humiliating treatment:

Art. 17. O direito ao respeito consiste na inviolabilidade da integridade física, psíquica e moral da criança e do adolescente, abrangendo a preservação da imagem, da identidade, da autonomia, dos valores, idéias e crenças, dos espaços e objetos pessoais.

Art. 18. É dever de todos velar pela dignidade da criança e do adolescente, pondo-os a salvo de qualquer tratamento desumano, violento, aterrorizante, vexatório ou constrangedor.

Article 227 of the Consituição Federal do Brasil de 1988 - It is the duty of all to make sure children are safe from negligence, discrimination, exploitation, violence, cruelty and oppression.

Artigo 227
"É dever da família, da sociedade e do Estado assegurar à criança e ao adolescente, com absoluta prioridade, o direito à vida, à saúde, à alimentação, à educação, ao lazer, à profissionalização, à cultura, à dignidade, ao respeito, à liberdade e à convivência familiar e comunitária, além de colocá-los a salvo de toda forma de negligência, discriminação, exploração, violência, crueldade e opressão."

Crimes were committed in Vianópolis by foreigners who acted as though they were above Brazilian law. What happens to a foreigner who has a CI permanente but disobeys the law of the country of residence?

Hey Ornery,
Forgive me for tapping into your legal knowledge, but would we get in trouble if we just started showing up at these people's churches. I live close as in a couple hours from one. Just wondering. Don't know if I would recognize the man and I am sure he would not recognize me as I was only 4-5 when I was around him, but I may be able to deliver the grace report to his pastor in person, just to make sure they got it since we have seen no proof from NTM on that matter.

I like that Idea!

@ MKfromBrasil

cc: Momof4, OT, and sundry others who care!


Thinking about "good things" does not mean dismissing "bad things" and leaving sin unchecked in our midst. The Bible is replete with examples. Achan's sin was not left unresolved but was dramatically dealt with (and affected others, I might add). David, after a year of trying to carry on life as usual, still had to be dealt with (again dealt with dramatically!). Even the husband and wife team of Ananias and Sapphira were dealt with in a dramatic fashion. In each of these cases, the "bad things" were dealt with, not glossed over by "thinking good things".

If, however, you meant that continually dwelling upon evil or repented of-sin, is to violate the Biblical injunction of "thinking upon these things", then I would agree with you, to that extent. However, such thoughts upon good things and their praise-worthiness are predicated upon a Biblical handling of "sin in the camp". This can only come about when sin or wrong-thinking is exposed, dealt with, and justice handed down. Then, and only then, are we to "think about the good" and not belabor the bad. (Paul even talks about that when he counsels that we should extend the hand of fellowship to a truly repentant believer so as not to further ostracize such a person. Too many today, however, misread that passage and err on the side of sloppy theology and overlook the sin in an effort to be "loving" and welcome back the offender with no strings attached.)

Unfortunately, NTM in the past and in many, many cases, did NOT deal Biblically with the situation at hand. Sin was NOT exposed, it was covered-up. Termination did NOT occur, rather simple transfer to another job station AT THE SAME PLACE where the victim would continually be "abused" emotionally by seeing the perpetrator each day. I, for one, know that if the perpetrator had confessed his sin (which, I doubt he ever truly did for I know from the victim that he merely believed she "misunderstood" his actions!), repented of his life-style choices, voluntarily resigned as his actions disqualified him from holding a position of trust, and accepted whatever other legal consequences came his way, then and only then could the victim and their family have dispensed with talking about the "bad" and focusing on the "good". Justice would have been meted out, and the healing process begun.

That, however, did not occur.

By and by, if you do read many of these posts, you will see that many of us, do still have good memories of our time at Via. It wasn't all bad, even though some suffered horrifically. And so, you will read of the "good" on this site in other threads, if you care to do so.

Undealt with sin needs to be dealt with. And while one perpetrator has met his Creator and will experience a far more perfect justice than this world could ever mete out, others that NTM harbored, and did not deal with still remain. No alert has been issued. Life for those abusers continue on and no accounting has been demanded for their actions. Until such a an accounting occurs, the "bad" will be talked about in an effort to force the hand of those who can render justice (see Luke 18).

The "good" of that passage in Corinthians you referenced, also continues to be talked about here, on this site, and around any table where two or more MKs from Via bump into one another and lembrar the past or matar saudades.

Very well said, Publius! I think you have summed up the situation in a very clear and concise way. Perhaps some of the NTM leadership will read and take note. We can only hope.

For years I tried to think of only Philippians 4 about my abuser. Anytime I thought of the abuse, I would replace that thought with something good, pure, noble, etc about him. Where did that get me? By only trying to think about the good and not confronting or questioning the bad, it only allowed more girls to be abused. It allowed more times for the victims to struggle in silence while the abuser led a "free and comfortable" life. I think only when there's been full repentance and sin truly dealt with can you start to follow Philippians 4.

OT, this post cracked me up, and then I watched the Patriot clip and started sobbing. When I was 13 in the states my dad used to drive me to school, just day school, and when he drove away I would sometimes not be able to stop myself from running after his car.