tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post116313956385935509..comments2023-04-02T18:14:59.200-04:00Comments on Culture Dove: Owning UpCulture Dovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230335386127525198noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post-36477263264043390792006-12-08T19:56:00.000-05:002006-12-08T19:56:00.000-05:00Great point PB, we only get to see/hear the public...Great point PB, we only get to see/hear the public apology, not the private behavior, so we shouldn't be surprised that an apology fits a particular "genre." Perhaps that is really my bigger complaint (and also shows my bias). I'm regularly disappointed by political apologies that are carefully crafted to say very little and give away nothing. Apologies in the religious realm have better language, because we have better penitential language in the religious realm. I suppose what I really want to see is genuine penance in the days to come.<br /><br />And yes, Kerry has little to apologize for, except, of course, for voting to support the war in the first place.Culture Dovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230335386127525198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post-48471868996737655942006-12-08T13:13:00.000-05:002006-12-08T13:13:00.000-05:00Hmmm. Is it that Haggard is truly more sincere in ...Hmmm. Is it that Haggard is truly more sincere in his apology, or is it that he is more deeply schooled in the language of repentance, and acquainted with the theater of public disgrace than is Senator Kerry?<br /><br />Amazing to me that we're so obsessed with Kerry's weak apology and use it as an opportunity to crow about sinfulness, while our own president has yet to offer ANY apology or admission of grave moral sin in occupying a sovereign nation under false pretenses and being directly responsible for thousands and thousands of deaths not to mention generations of environmental degradation.<br /><br />Bush and Cheney walk around with blood dripping from every orifice,Haggard devastates his family and his parish, yet good Christians turn on some schmo Senator who put his foot in his mouth. Big deal.PeaceBanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431551457505981195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post-1163298034797740552006-11-11T21:20:00.000-05:002006-11-11T21:20:00.000-05:00Ian,I think you hit the nail on the head with your...Ian,<BR/>I think you hit the nail on the head with your analysis. Many conservatives were howling even after John Kerry apologized-it was a qualified apology, as if president Bush caused his verbal miscue. And as far as Ted Haggard's situation, he was blunt about his confession, but not so forthcoming about the details. <BR/><BR/>I was dissapointed with both men. It took me back to Bill Clinton's forceful denial regarding the Lewinsky affair. I wanted to forgive him, but he not only lied, but did so in a defiant way.<BR/><BR/>In our own sinful nature, we look for others to be role models in owning up to their indiscretions. It gives us courage to confess our own sins, and spurs empathy for those who fall.<BR/><BR/>But God can restore those who seek Him. I wish John Kerry would act on his Catholic faith and use confession as a public and private way to restoration. As a conservative (but moderating) evangelical, I see a need in our culture for real forgiveness. But it can only come when those who commit sins own up with sincerity. Then God's love pouring out through others can heal and restore that person to true grace.The Real Music Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07387434982189439053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post-1163218897058956692006-11-10T23:21:00.000-05:002006-11-10T23:21:00.000-05:00Thank you for your comment priscilla49. You make ...Thank you for your comment priscilla49. You make a very good point about the differences between the apologies. I have to agree that damage done by each persons behavior is significantly different. Perhaps the magnitude of the offense is a mitigating factor in comparing the two. Still, I wish that there were more "owning up" in the public arena. I'm reminded of 12-step recovery programs. The heart of recovery is admitting powerlessness and seeking a higher power. In this process it is through weakness that one finds strength. This is the power of confession.Culture Dovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230335386127525198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34594993.post-1163177579983792472006-11-10T11:52:00.000-05:002006-11-10T11:52:00.000-05:00I think that the two apologies are different in th...I think that the two apologies are different in that, consciously or not, Kerry was apologizing to some "thin air" person that might have been offended, while Haggard knew that he had offended his parishioners AND had stained the image of the Church. I think Haggard realized that he had done more than merely offend a few people. Only God knows how many unbelievers will look at the Evangelical Church and think that they want no part of that "hypocracy". The damage to the term "Evangelical Christian" and simply, "Christian", can't even be estimated! Within hours of the whole thing blowing wide open, the COMEDY CHANNEL (!) was spoofing Haggard's ministry and every thing he'd ever said! How can that kind of damage be apologized for?Priscilla49https://www.blogger.com/profile/00918916470207455346noreply@blogger.com