Is it okay in some situations for a Christian to sue someone? For example, to sue a child molester for therapy bills for the molested child?
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In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul speaks only to the issue of Christians suing one another, saying that they should prefer to let themselves be wronged, rather than to have the issue decided by a non-Christian judge. The case that you are describing seems somewhat different. To me, a suit against someone who has committed such an act against a child (even if both parties to the suit are at least nominally Christians) would be part of the individual's rightful punishment for such behavior (in addition to any criminal liability that the person might possibly face). Also, in bringing such a suit, you would not be acting in your own self-interest, or strictly out of a spirit of personal vindictiveness, but on the appropriate behalf of a child who is defenseless in the eyes of the law. (I am assuming the case you describe to be one of genuine wrong to the child, as opposed to an instance of using such allegations as a means of "getting back" at someone else, where the alleged actions either did not actually occur, or were not of the nature being charged.)
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