- Aug 20, 2019
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Should the past misdeeds of elected officials, or those running for office, be forgiven? I realize this is a very general question and that it does depend on the "misdeed" in question. But, there seems to be a growing lack of mercy when it comes to past failures, at least in US politics.
I am especially interested in how Christians think about digging up past misdeeds and using them against a political opponent. Given that grace and mercy are such a significant part of the Christian faith, how are we to think about this? Don't we assume, as Christians, that people can change and become better people?
Currently, it doesn't seem to matter if a person has significantly changed for the better. It seems if something can be dug up, it will be used regardless of the current character of the person. And yet, as Christians, we assume that people can and do change. So, it seems to me this current climate of mercilessness is incompatible with a Christian understanding of grace and mercy. But, maybe it's different for politics.
How far back should past misdeeds be taken into account, if at all?
Does the current character of the individual matter if it differs from their past actions?
What are your thoughts about, what I see as, the severe lack of mercy in our current politics and society?
I am especially interested in how Christians think about digging up past misdeeds and using them against a political opponent. Given that grace and mercy are such a significant part of the Christian faith, how are we to think about this? Don't we assume, as Christians, that people can change and become better people?
Currently, it doesn't seem to matter if a person has significantly changed for the better. It seems if something can be dug up, it will be used regardless of the current character of the person. And yet, as Christians, we assume that people can and do change. So, it seems to me this current climate of mercilessness is incompatible with a Christian understanding of grace and mercy. But, maybe it's different for politics.
How far back should past misdeeds be taken into account, if at all?
Does the current character of the individual matter if it differs from their past actions?
What are your thoughts about, what I see as, the severe lack of mercy in our current politics and society?