The fact that so many people
think they know what is happening with others amazes me. No one knows what
others are thinking. I hate when watching football, a commentator sees someone
on the feel and tells you what he is thinking. For all I know, he may be
thinking he wants to eat pizza after the game. I am a person who prefers facts,
not assumptions. This doesn’t mean that I never assume anything. I am human. We
all do it. That does not make our assumptions right.
The most recent thing in the news is the Supreme Court confirmation hearings amid sexual assault charges. This has been a circus, to say the least. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone seems to know every detail about what happened in 1982. The only thing I remember about 1982 is I changed schools. I am not talking about the parties involved. I am talking about the rest of the nation.
On one side of the equation is Brett Kavanaugh, the nominee. Nearly every conservative claims this man is squeaky clean and a perfect fit for the Supreme Court. I don’t know if he is or is not. I have never actually met the man, nor have I ever heard of him before his nomination. Claims against him suddenly appear around a possible sexual assault from 1982. His supporters say this is preposterous. Those who oppose him have demonized him. I have no feelings toward him one way or the other.
On the other hand, we have Christine Ford, the accuser. Nearly every liberal claim that she is courageous for coming out with her story and has no political agenda. I do not know if she is telling the truth or not. I have never actually met this woman, nor have I heard of her before her accusations. The timing of her claims may be suspect, but her supporters say her timing is not politically motivated. Those who oppose her said she is lying to push the democratic vote in the mid-term elections and to squash the nomination of a conservative. I have no feelings toward her one way or the other.
The one thing that I do know is no one knows except the two of them. Everyone else seems to be casting judgment based on political leanings.
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
I would like to defend both of them. I am glad that I have not been judged on my actions when I was in high school. When people are young, they make stupid mistakes. I am not saying he did or did not. Justice in this country is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Many people listen to biased news stories and cannot see any possibility that he is not guilty. There are no facts that have been exposed, just opinions. I would like everyone to put themselves in the shoes of people who have been falsely accused. I pray no one does that to you.
On the other side, people claim that there is no reason to keep sexual assault quiet for so many years. As one who experienced sexual assault in 1981, I can say there are many reasons that people do not come forward. In fact, until the writing of this post, I had only mentioned it once to my wife for the first time just a few months ago. I do not talk about it. It does not define me. However, I can understand the people that keep quiet for so many years. Though innocent in the matter, there is shame, grief, disbelief, and even fear. Not talking about it makes it seem like it never happened. For me, I still think about it. I hope that Dr. Ford is lying. I hope she never experienced sexual assault. However, I do not know, and neither do you. I pray that you walk in her shoes if she has. I hope you never experience the trauma that goes along with this type of event.
While both people are involved in this political circus, I hope that the one who is right can forgive the one who has wronged the other. Forgiveness can bring healing, but it is a choice. I chose to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
