Let's talk about forgiveness and redemption.

[Skidmore]

First, on these boards, there is a tendency to hurl invectives and fecal matter with righteous anger at times. We've all done it and we know we have. Second, everyone has their issue and some more issues than others. Third, we have a right to opinions, strongly held or otherwise, as does everyone else in the world whether we agree with them or not. Fourth, there are very legitimate reasons that some opinions are disturbing and some words and actions shameful and not acceptable personally and in society. Furthermore, we have all said and done things in our lives at one time or another over which we have experienced chagrine, at the least, and deep regret, at the most.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way. I have seen several posts in the last 24 hours in which all kinds of hellfire and brimstone have been called down on the heads of people who have transgressed in the past and apparently have forever lost any hope of redemption or the right to speak let alone think or hold an opinion. Now, I'm not talking about forgiving Imus--too soon and he needs to learn and grow some before we have a conversation about that. What I am talking about is forever beating someone up long years after they have apologized and gone on to make amends. When is someone ever worthy enough to be admitted to the fold again? What gives any of us the right not allow someone a chance to change or to acknowledge the steps a person has taken to move forward in this life.

Now I'm getting a little long in the tooth, and personally, I can tell you that there is too little time in life to spend it in anger or fixated on someone else's errors. You allow a person the same space for forgiveness and change that you want for yourself. Plain and simple.

[knowbody0]

1. radical forgiveness

is incredibly liberating as well. replacing rage and anger with compassion and more often than not, pity frees us into a place of clear vision and harmony.

[Dhalgren]

2. Did you ever notice, on the Andy Griffith Show, how Barney was

always getting mad at Gomer, but Gomer almost never got mad at Barney? Yet Gomer does a whole lot more apologizing to Barney than the other way around? Just an observation...

[Buzz Clik]

3. hidden thread number 200. Congrats.