Conversation Point

Public Stoning

Don Imus may or may not have a job by the time you read this. While still clinging to his long-running morning radio show, albeit on a two week suspension, his MSNBC simulcast program is gone, along with most of his reputation. You probably already know why, but in case you don't, Mr. Imus directed a comb platter of racial and misogynistic slurs against a Rutgers University women's sports team last week. More than one public personality has called for retribution. Firing is almost too good in their eyes. There seems to be a theme requiring his suffering and humiliation in equal or greater measure to what he inflicted on the women who were his targets. What he said was wrong and he has made other comments in his years on the air that were also wrong. Up until this point he has been tolerated by some, enjoyed and encouraged by others. Clearly, times have changed.

Interesting that times have always been changing. "They went each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all the people came to him and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?' This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest. Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord,' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again (John 8:1-11)."

We do like a good public stoning, don't we? Imus' behavior makes us feel superior because we would never be so stupid and hurtful. We can add Isaiah Washington, Mel Gibson and Michael Richards to that list too. They made equally questionable choices in their behavior and have suffered the consequences. We do like a good public stoning. We like complaining about people, judging behavior, language, parenting styles, clothing selections and assorted attitudes so very different than our own. But in the end, they are not so very different than our own.

Two thoughts occurred to me in watching the Imus situation unfold that Jesus also dealt with at the temple that day. The first is how willing we are to call for swift, exacting punishment when someone's behavior morally offends us. The second is that if we were held up to the same scrutiny we would have few choices but to turn and walk away, hopefully with enough time and awareness to hear Jesus' final words of grace.

Think how far that simple understanding would carry us if only we chose to hear and believe it. We are not condemned. We are directed to continue on, unified with God and God's purpose. Choose not to sin. Instead, choose God's mercy and grace. We can receive these gifts from God for ourselves, and then continue God's purpose by extending these same gifts to each person we meet who is in need of them. And really, who wouldn't welcome grace and mercy into their lives if given the chance?

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 6:29 PM