I could see this coming – is not acceptable 

There are hidden truths in these sections of the Old Testament law even though reading them can seem very strange to us today. Let’s read a few more verses.

“If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded. This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.” Exodus‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬-‭32‬ ‭

Here’s the principle: you are responsible for what you know. 

• if you own a bull and without any warning it kills someone, you are not liable.
• But if you own a bull and you had been warned about its behaviour but did nothing, you are liable.
• The key is this: what did you know, and what did you do about it?

Now let’s apply that in to our situation. To churches and organisations where people can get harmed.

‘Bulls” are everywhere, sadly.

Inaction towards risk of harm, patterns of bad behaviour, being silent when silence is culpable, this means you cannot be seen as neutral. 

Here’s a question: when we’ve been warned, do we act — or do we wait for it to get worse? Saying “I could see this coming” or “they have a track record of ‘goring’” is not acceptable, it wasn’t then and it’s not now.