Last year, I discovered that I'm a criminal. And I also discovered that North Carolina has some of the most antiquated laws about sex on the books.

For example:

Women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.

But that's simply the beginning. When it comes to being a sex offender in this state, it seems as if the "law" wants you to wallow in your past mistake forever. Now, don't get me wrong, pedophiles and rapists have no place in society. But too often, sex offenders are teenagers who got caught sexting or having sex with someone two years younger than them.

Imagine my surprise when I found out churches — yes, churches — are off limits to sex offenders. Right here, I could make a quip about a Catholic priest, but I won't.

A sex offender was shocked after being arrested for attending church. According to North Carolina law, a sex offender could be forced to serve 12 more years in prison for worship.

An additional 12 years in prison because you want to praise the Lord? That's crazy. Now, no sex offender should be allowed to volunteer at the church's nursery, babysit the kids and what not. But what can a sex offender do in a crowded church? Do parents allow their children to run around the church and hang out with strangers? I hope not.

If a sex offender can't find forgiveness in a church in the Bible Belt, we're all screwed.