Why wouldn't we consider willing membership in a conservative religious franchise constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions for such misbehaviors as delineated in their Holy tracts?
IOW, as the local county prosecutor, I might decline to prosecute any members of the flock that might have participated in a burning at the stake, pressing under stones, or garroting that might have been committed in order to appease their deity of the outrage and depravity committed in His house.
I might also take note if such a church does have specific scriptural guidance governing punishment of such essentially disordered and anti-family crimes and they do nothing instead; the obvious conclusion being the congregation is devoid of members with any discernable sincerely held beliefs.
IOW, as the local county prosecutor, I might decline to prosecute any members of the flock that might have participated in a burning at the stake, pressing under stones, or garroting that might have been committed in order to appease their deity of the outrage and depravity committed in His house.
I might also take note if such a church does have specific scriptural guidance governing punishment of such essentially disordered and anti-family crimes and they do nothing instead; the obvious conclusion being the congregation is devoid of members with any discernable sincerely held beliefs.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
