Too Much Harshness; Not Enough Forgiveness

I think many would agree that there are so many compassionate and forgiving people. 

But I also think many would agree that there is way too much harshness and insufficient amounts of forgiveness and compassion these days.  

Two guest pieces in Friday’s New York Times Op-Ed section illustrate the harshness I’m talking about.

One author wrote regarding Judge Jackson’s Judiciary Committee hearing:

“If and when Senators Cruz, Graham and the rest of them seek redemption for their behavior last week, they won’t find it.”

And regarding Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, another author wrote, “To slap Rock was, of course, utterly unpardonable.” 

I agree that some of the Senators’ behavior was poor, disrespectful, mean at times, etc. And Will Smith did indeed slap Chris Rock and then get verbally aggressive.  And one way or another, all behavior, good and bad, has consequences.    

But unpardonable?   Beyond redemption?  No.  Or at least no to me.  I believe what Will Smith did is pardonable and that what the Senators did does not make them beyond redemption.  

I don’t know where to draw the line which if one steps over one becomes unpardonable and beyond redemption.  We are all human so by definition we will at times act badly and make mistakes.  And for most of us, when we act badly, I think we generally want and deserve not to be written off but rather the opportunity to earn forgiveness and redemption.