Reply #8: This is already a common practice in Japan, [View All]

[Lydia Leftcoast]

where one doesn't want one's self and one's family "shamed" by association with an unscrupulous person.

It can be useful to know a person's background. To give an example of a non-romantic situation, the previous parish I attended hired a music director. The priest we had at the time was supposed to have a background check done, but for some reason did not do so. The music director appeared to be doing a great job for about two years--until he was arrested for B&E and vandalism while under the influence of a combination of meth and LSD.

We were all shocked, because he had always behaved himself on the job. But the background check would have revealed a string of arrests in another state for similar escapades.

Personally, I have a pretty good "creep detector" and have never actually gotten involved with a sociopath or an addict or con man of any kind. But I certainly have friends who could have used such a service.