I am not sure if this blog will be a statement or more of an invitation to dialogue.
I have been following the Sandusky trial, (it is hard not to, it is on the news constantly) and I feel a certain level of conflict. From what I have heard this man sounds like a monster who preyed on young boys. Who took advantage of them and robbed them of their childhood. I hope justice is served and he receives the punishment that he has coming to him.
But, (you knew that was coming) how does this jive with the Christian faith? Should there be grace for a man like Sandusky? How would Jesus have treated him? Is he just sick and in need of treatment? Is rehabilitation a possibility for someone like him?
But then again what about the victims? Even if he is sick and able to be treated that doesn't take away from their pain. How he violated them and severely wounded their psyche? How do we care for them? How do we give them back their childhood?
This situation doesn't come up in the Gospels. We never hear about Jesus interacting with a convicted sex offender and healing him or somehow brining him back into the community. And as a father of three young children I don't know if I would ever want that individual back in my community, healed by Jesus or not. But, is that individual still a child of God?
So, what do you think?
Chris
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If someone is convicted of first degree murder, they can give their lives to God, but they still have to serve their time in prison. If Sandusky would do the right thing and admit what he did, make it right, and find God in all of this I would be slightly more sympathetic. However, he chooses to hide behind his attorneys and continue the charade of denial. This tells me he is unrepentant. Just because you tame a wild fox and make it a pet doesn't mean you put it back in the hen house! Our first responsibility within any community is the safety and well being of our children.
ReplyDeleteI think he has the right to a fair trial, followed by a swift hanging.
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