Shout Fire
I recently shared the screen matter above on the Book of Faces without commentary save these words: Stay safe, America.
Most of the comments the post received in response were sensible. But a few folks I’ve known for decades and by whom I’ve often felt loved and looked after surprised me. They demonstrated an eagerness to hop on God’s internet to talk about Bill Clinton and forgiveness and to accuse strangers of not believing in redemption. I’m still processing the fact of this behavior, but, for now, I’ll just note that I’m alarmed to behold the energy with which they leapt to the defense of someone whose lifestyle decisions indicate he should not be entrusted with the tasks of a swimming pool lifeguard, much less the responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense within my United States government.
Hurray for redemption. According public trust to someone who’s behaved abusively repeatedly and in front of witnesses is another matter.
We become what we normalize.
This shouldn’t be so hard.
Stay safe, America.
Shout fire.
I recently saw the documentary film Kristin Du Mez offered on her Substack -- "For Our Daughters." What struck my wife and me was the clear pattern: Male pastors or youth leaders who preyed on women were immediately forgiven by the male leaders of the community when their offenses came to light. The women who were deeply traumatized by being raped or sexually assaulted by their spiritual leaders were told they had to forget and move on--and if they wanted their abusers to be held accountable, then it was their failure to practice Christian love and forgiveness.
For reasons like this, my pastor says he describes himself to people as a Jesus follower rather than as a "Christian."
Release to us Barrabas.