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THE QUESTION
Edwards and Forgiveness
Another politician (John Edwards) has admitted to having an extramarital affair, and another spouse (Elizabeth Edwards) has been forgiving. At what point does a person of faith cease to forgive? At what point does forgiveness become destructive?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on August 25, 2008 4:21 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Nations are Easy, Congregations are Hard
While I wish that all church bodies (and, by analogy, synagogue and such communities) did ordain women, it is not hypocritical to say that women can "do" ministry but not nation, or nation but not ministry.
Posted by Martin Marty, on September 8, 2008 6:44 AM
Sex, Forgiveness and Politicians
Why are we so obsessed with every politician's sex life? Here's breaking news: power is sexy. Men who have power (and most likely women, too, although it works somewhat differently for us) are mega-attractive, and they act on it. Politicians do it. Gurus do it. Televangelists, new age shamans, priests and princes do it. Democrats and yes, even Republicans do it.
Posted by Starhawk, on August 26, 2008 2:52 PM
Forgiving is a High Moral Quality
In a certain sense, the ability to forgive (which is not the same as to forget) has a somewhat divine quality, because it contains the notion that the past can be deleted or, at least, not have any consequence or bearing on the future.
Posted by Adin Steinsaltz, on August 26, 2008 1:44 PM
Forgiving is Only the Beginning
If, as a society, we want to deal with the havoc extramarital affairs are wreaking upon our families, then we need to deal with that on a societal level -- not demand that individual women make the choices that would punish men who engage in infidelity.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on August 26, 2008 9:20 AM
The Merciful Are Happy
I don't know if John Edwards is sorry for his sins, but I do know that only a fool or a saint can afford to be unmerciful or delight in his fall.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on August 26, 2008 8:30 AM
Forgivness Has No Limits, But Those Asked To Forgive Might
As to the recent story with John Edwards' infidelity, and frankly I don't know why its a news story at all, the only thing to decide about his wife's decision to forgive him is why we think she did it.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on August 26, 2008 7:45 AM
A Politician Taken in Adultery
If the various faiths of the American people have not taught them to forgive, so that they too might be forgiven, their secular human decency should do the job. Let him (or her) who is without sin cast the first vote.
Posted by Wendy Doniger, on August 25, 2008 8:55 AM
Forgiveness, Women and Infidelity
What I'm concerned about is Elizabeth Edwards, and in fact all women who deal with unfaithful husbands.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on August 25, 2008 8:31 AM
Destructive Forgiveness or Fatal Unforgiveness
Elizabeth Edwards stands both as a victim and a hero. Destructive? No. Christ like? Yes.
Posted by Samuel Rodriguez, on August 25, 2008 7:42 AM
Does a Prurient Public Deserve the Truth about Marital Infidelity?
Our society is hypocritical in encouraging natural sexual behavior (especially in commercial advertising and entertainment) while condemning it in politicians.
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on August 25, 2008 6:28 AM
Forgiveness Requires Repentance
The Christian faith is a faith of forgiveness. Jesus tells us we are to forgive one another. And when asked how often, He said seventy times seven. We who have been forgiven of our sins by Christ are to similarly forgive others.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on August 14, 2008 4:59 PM
Forgiveness Is No One Else's Business And Faith's Got Nothing To Do With It
I don't think that Edwards deserves any forgiveness from voters or political associates who supported his campaign. He took their money and loyalty under false pretenses. He made a fool out of every one of his supporters.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on August 13, 2008 9:02 AM
"Forgive Me, I'm Sorry I Got Caught"
A cynic might say, in the wake of so many adulterous politicians, that in future they should issue a preemptive confession before running for President to save The National Enquirer excess ink. Why wait until you are caught?
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on August 13, 2008 8:33 AM
Voters Can Be Less Forgiving
Forgiveness is between Edwards and God (though his "confessional" was TV and not a prayer closet) and Edwards and his wife. This is about judgment.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on August 13, 2008 7:18 AM
Forgiving or Enabling Immoral Behavior?
Every time one of these guys goes off the reservation it creates the perception that it's OK, that that's what men do and the women should just shut up, put on a brave face and support them.
Posted by Sally Quinn, on August 13, 2008 6:30 AM
Private Matters and Public Trust
With public figures like John Edwards, we have to distinguish between forgiveness as a personal act and forgiveness as a public absolution. He has violated the public trust in a serious way, and we may well continue to entertain doubts about his ability to provide significant political leadership.
Posted by Richard Mouw, on August 13, 2008 2:06 AM
Vengeance is Mine, Sayeth the Lord
Perhaps Elizabeth Edwards has forgiven her husband; I know that speaking personally, I want to shake John Edwards until his bleached white, perfectly aligned teeth rattle like castanets.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on August 12, 2008 11:34 PM
Forgiving Must Be Unconditional
I think the problem in the modern world is that like everything else "forgiving" too is conditional. When we put conditions on forgiving we destroy the essence.
Posted by Arun Gandhi, on August 12, 2008 10:18 AM
