It’s a sign of the times that I am not so much thoroughly indifferent to yet another politician’s inability to control his libido as the reaction to same. The affair is what it is, and no amount of public tsk-tsking or handwringing will change this. Public visibility of those involved does not effect the fundamental truth of this being a private matter between those involved. Prayers for those involved; beyond that, I’d like to know what anyone wants me to do. Not like any of these people have me on speed dial, y’know.
That said, as said I’m even less interested in the reactions of others to this latest affair of state. Oh, the moral outrage! We must condemn! We must tonguelash! We must be seen as The Flagbearer For All That Is Righteous And Pure! Or something like that. Because, you know, there’s an image to maintain. All the better for growing our congregation.
Since that’s what it’s all about, really.
We all suffer to a degree with lumpy theology. In some areas of life we’ve got the sucker aced. Others? Not so much. It’s part of this being human deal. You deal.
Christ’s admonition to get the plank out of our eye before we say anything to our brother about the speck in theirs comes to mind. It’s a tad difficult to put much stock in high and haughty harrumphing by some currently spittin’ cotton over Mark Sanford when they preach virtuous virtue… even as they employ militant atheists (*coughmichellemalkincough*). Nothing against atheists; everyone has the right to be 100% wrong. That said, striking a pose about right being right and we’re on the good Lord’s good side when the main blogger boy for your site actively despises Christians and Christ… but to each their own.
Instead of freaking out over the latest episode of “Have You Heard,” shouldn’t we focus on strengthening that which we can actually effect – ourselves? Shouldn’t we take the time and make the effort to present a consistent witness? For example, it’s more than a tad disingenuous to oppose gay marriage using the institution’s sanctity as a basis when we hand out divorces like Halloween candy. Not that there’s never justification for divorce. But it’s the last resort. Treat it like nothing more than a high school breakup with paperwork, and you’ve got a credibility issue.
A life lesson I’ve taken to heart is I am not responsible for someone elses head trip. Nor am I responsible for someone elses shortcomings. Mine? That’s a whole nutter matter. It’s that way for everyone. We need to clean our own lives first. Actually, period.
I absolutely think the matter should be dropped, along with his employment. However, it would be nice if the pundits of the Right would remember this the next time a Democrat does the same thing. And the Christian Right should finally shut the bloody hell up in glorifying the GOP and pretending that they have *any* greater moral standing than anyone else. No one who defends these people in any fashion can expect to retain any viable Christian testimony.
The roster of adulterers on the Right keeps growing: McCain, Barr, Giuliani, Limbaugh, Gingrich, Ensign, and now Sanford. These are extremely evil, self-centered men who have willfully and deliberately put their families through hell for their own gratification. And it absolutely disgusts me that “Christians” like Dobson continue to glorify them and make excuses for their evil behavior. Maybe Sanford’s broken zipper will finally spell the death knell for the GOP, or at least the Religious Right.