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Forgiving Don Imus
What's a Christian to Do? by James Glaser
Don Imus is now on the receiving end of condemnation from much of the black race in America, and a goodly portion of the white race too. Mr. Imus, being an idiot, like all of us have been a time or two, used the words "ho' and "nappy headed" in describing a predominately black women's basketball team from Rutgers University. After realizing what the effect of those words had on the women on that team, and what those words might do to his career, Mr. Imus apologized to everyone he could think of. Like so many times in America, one off the cuff remark can change the whole national news focus, and now many in the African American community are saying 'off with his head." The Rev. Al Sharpton, that Rev. before his name I believe stands for Reverend, which means that Mister Sharpton is claiming to be a Christian, not only a Christian but a Christian Minister. Here is what Al has to say about Imus' apology. "I accept his apology, just as I want his bosses to accept his resignation," said the Rev. Al Sharpton. He promised to picket Imus' New York radio home, WFAN-AM, unless the veteran of nearly 40 years of anything-goes broadcasting is gone within a week. Associated Press 4/07/07 On top of Sharpton's acceptance of the Imus apology, and his judgement of an appropriate punishment, the National Association of Black Journalists do not accept the apology. "The National Association of Black Journalists, the editor-in-chief of Essence magazine and a New York sports columnist joined the chorus against Imus. "What he has said has deeply hurt too many people—black and white, male and female," said NABJ President Bryan Monroe. "His so-called apology comes two days after the fact, and it is too little, too late." Associated Press 04/07/07 Being the Christian country we in America claim to be, you would think that Reverend Al and the Black Press Association would take the time to think about how our Lord would handle this situation. Christ spells out everything pretty clearly if we take the time to read his words in the Bible Matthew 18: 21-22 21 "Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? 22 Jesus saith to him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times; but Until seventy time seven." Jesus didn't say, well was his apology sincere? How do you judge him? How did you punish him? All Jesus said was that you must forgive him if he sins against you 490 times. In the Lord's Prayer we were given these words: "And Forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us." We want Christ to forgive us when we are wrong, and Christ wants us to forgive those who wrong us. If we claim to be Christians, then it stands to reason that we should follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Those who have decided Don Imus' guilt and punishment are giving counsel of the flesh. We as humans, if offended are quick to strike back in kind, but Jesus teaches forgiveness. Punishment and judgement are in Christ's hands, not in ours. America would be far better off if we remembered that. |
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