There's sure a lot of stone throwing going on. Let me say, I have never watched an episode of the Duggar's show. I have never seen Duck Dynasty. My reality shows consist of HGTV of any ilk and The Voice. I certainly do not want to watch Naked and Afraid, as at my age neither naked nor afraid is my favorite thing, although I hear it is a very successful weight loss strategy. These reality shows are, I think, somewhat less than real, and are often times quite harmful to those who participate. Last week when Sawyer, the 17 year old boy from a farm in upstate New York won The Voice, I immediately prayed that his life would not be ruined by the success. It is a strange world in which we live.
One, however, would have to live under a rock to not know the controversy swirling around the Duggar's son, and allegations of sexual molestation levied against him. There are other layers of the story that make it quite disturbing. Certainly, this must be investigated and addressed. Responsibility must be taken and, hopefully, restoration achieved for all concerned. Sweeping it under the rug or excusing it would be a mistake.
What bothers me about all this, and the controversy that swirls about any celebrity, is the glee with which folks condemn and cast stones. As a firm believer in the Jesus story, I am most concerned by those who claim efforts in living the Jesus way and who seem to be the leaders in joyfully condemning. Don't get me wrong, I really have to fight the tendency to be glad someone "got what they deserved," all the while hoping against hope that I do not get what I deserve. But, this is not the Jesus way, and it does nothing to promote the reputation of the One we follow. In fact, it makes us look like Bible thumping people haters who really enjoy seeing others fall.
This does not only apply to the Duggars. It is fascinating to watch posts on FB that throw the Clintons in as big sinners, or the Duck Dynasty family, or the Bush family etc... It is sort of a cyber one upmanship - our guy is bad, but your guy is worse. Many of these posts fall along political party lines. No wonder so many young people are incapable of understanding the concept of accepting responsibility for their mistakes. There is always somebody out there who has done something worse. Other's failings and mistakes have no bearing on the need to address our own.
Instead of being gleeful, our hearts should be broken. Our hearts should be broken for all of us who "miss the mark." We should all be aware that we are all, at any given time, capable of the worst of behaviors. I long for the day when instead of lusting after retributive "justice," we strive for restorative justice, where things are made as right as possible.
Sitting here, in my quiet house in my peaceful neighborhood on this Memorial Day, I also long for the day when old men cease to send young men into war. I wish for the time when we do not define ourselves by our race or our nationality, but rather by the fact we are all human with the same fears, needs, pains, and shortfalls. I truly believe we all want the same things; healthy families, peace, someone to love and to love us, hope for the future.
For today, I wish you peace, time with the ones you love, and a broken heart for the world, and I wish you
Blessings
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