I got onto my facebook today just to look around and saw that a friend of mine had posted her status as "sooo sad, almost to the point of being sick." When someone commented on her status to ask why, her response was that her favorite teacher from high school had been arrested. I knew who that was. I googled his name and found the news spots. Mr. Ferenci was arrested this morning at his house in Visalia. The most disturbing/upsetting part about that: it was on charges of child pornography.
I don't know what to say. I'm so saddened by this news that it makes me cry. Wow, I totally didn't see that one coming. I almost wish that it had been just an inappropriate relationship with a student, because, well they're teenagers and everyone gets stupid every now and then. But something like child porn means it wasn't a one time thing, and it wasn't just a slip in judgment, though it was certainly that. Those 3 years in band, including all together 6 (I think) band classes in 3 years, are some of the best of high school. Band is the one thing that really made lasting, awesome memories of high school for me. Fortunately, I can separate the memories and the man that I know now, but it makes me desperately sad to see another person caught up in Satan's web.
How does he do it so consistently? It starts out so innocently, or at least without bad intention. There's an image that usually shocks first, then arouses curiosity. It makes me so angry that Satan has perfected this attack on us. I wish I had words to express how I'm really feeling right now, but they won't come, and I'm not terribly articulate about such things. My only consolation is that I have enough gospel understanding and knowledge to be able to feel sorrow for him rather anger. I feel sorry that he got caught up in Satan's web, and though I don't excuse his behavior, I can still love the good part of the man. Nobody (almost nobody) is either wholly good or wholly evil. If they were it'd be so much easier to spot these people. Instead, there are mostly good people that get caught up in bad things, and though they may try to cut off the evil person it gets much to strong, much to quickly. But, that is not to say that all the good about that person has vanished, though, over time that, too, will be stripped. I'm devastated.
1 comment:
Doug and I watched that Dateline "To catch a predator" thing a year or two ago, but it was so depressing. I mean, there were people on there who were obviously creeps, but so many of them I just felt bad for because I really did believe that they had been good people that just allowed themselves to become ensnared. I think one of the phrases we take for granted from the scriptures a lot, both in relation to others as well as ourselves, is that he "leadeth them CAREFULLY" away down to hell. Its rarely a big leap--its bit by tiny bit. We must always be on guard. And in light of our own missteps (even if they are much smaller at this point), must hate the sin and have compassion for the sinner. One of the more bittersweet aspects of trying to be Christlike. I'm sorry that you had to get such bad news today.
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