And paying, because he thought he had rights the Mormon church doesn't provide?
I'm thinking the guy must have been pretty darned clueless if he really thought there would be no repercussions for what he did. Any Mormon who understands his religion's basic theology knows, confession is part of what we often refer to as the "Repentance Process."
Restitution is also a part of that process. This man did more than "sin" in the eyes of God. He committed a "crime" -- a felony -- and was crazy to think that simply admitting to that crime would let him off the hook where the law was concerned. The Church has a responsibility both to the offender and to the victim (as well as other potential victims). The Church can help him get right again with God, but it's not the Church's place to help him avoid punishment handed out by the legal system.
How about the other kids who's molester now knows better than to confess to a Mormon. How is the church going to help those kids?
I think 90% of those molesters already know. They're simply not going to confess. Obviously, if there is no confession, and nobody knows the crime is being committed, the Church can't possibly help. But it can help when the offender's conscience gets the best of him and he wants to repent.
How is a multi million dollar payout to the wife of someone who molested their kid, but doesn't know Mormon policies help?
Tom
Well, I guess it would pay the bills if it actually came down to it. I'd be pretty surprised to hear that she won the case, though. So are you just playing devil's advocate, or do you actually think the man's bishop, etc. were wrong to turn him in? If he'd gotten off with a "shame on you, you've got to stop that," would you have felt the Church acted appropriately?
On a side note: The person I feel most sorry for is the man's daughter. She was betrayed not just by one parent, but by both of them.