I apologize if this is too American, but my fellow ODJ writer Sheridan says that this is news in Australia, so I’ll take a chance here. Many of you may have heard about David Letterman, a late show comic on American television who admitted last week that he had sexual relations with some of the women on his staff.
It seems fairly obvious that Dave received these sexual favors because of his position as head of the show (he would be the first to admit that they did not sleep with him because he is irresistibly hot). The women involved are not pure, but I would think that Dave is even more culpable because he held by far the most power in their relationship. If I was the father of one of those girls, I would drive to New York and punch Dave in the face (and then I would stand ready to forgive him, because I’m a Christian).
A couple of times on Monday night’s show Dave acknowledged the pain he had caused his wife and his staff and even implied that he had wronged them. But most of the time he cracked jokes about his sexual indiscretions. I realize that Dave is a comedian, but someone who is genuinely sorry for what they have done does not joke about it. Dave abused younger and vulnerable women, and he doesn’t get a free pass because they may have been willing accomplices who offered sex to get ahead.
Dave preyed on people, and there is nothing funny about that. The sooner he realizes that, the sooner he can genuinely repent and perhaps receive forgiveness. I’m tired of hearing about men who use their power to abuse women (I’m looking at you, Roman Polanski), and I’m more weary of how they and their friends attempt to shrug it off (thanks for weighing in, Woody Allen).
cycling56 on October 8, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Well put I could not agree with you more and to think there are people out there that think its okay because he has apologized, well I don’t think there were apologies when its done in the form of a joke.
daisymarygoldr on October 9, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I agree that “repentance is not funny” and you have articulated it very well calling for serious repentance. And regarding those pointed references, I was reminded of Einstein’s quote on his proposed Theory of Relativity:
“If I am proved correct, the Germans will call me a German, the Swiss will call me a Swiss citizen, and the French will call me a great scientist. If relativity is proved wrong, the French will call me a Swiss, the Swiss will call me a German, and the Germans will call me a Jew.”
In all fairness is it ok to say that we the Church, must first set our own house in order (2 Kings 20:1), before we point our judgmental fingers at the DLs, RPs and AWs of the world to preach against their sins and to demand the need for their morality…that we the churched, must mourn for our sins first, before we mock at the sins of the unchurched?
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” I Peter 4:17
genesistkd on October 12, 2009 at 8:45 am
daisymarygoldr, if God were to speak on your comment He would say,”Well said my child,”and Iknow this to be true for it is written in His word.If we know the Father we would have known this to be true.I beleive we as followers of Christ owe it to ourself to know the Father so that we will know the Son,”JESUS OUR SAVIOR. His love be with you my sister in Christ.What a peace it is to know you in Him. amen
genesistkd on October 12, 2009 at 9:29 am
To Mike Wittner,as a follower of Christ we shouldnt apologize and make a joke,but is it ok to apologize and then criticize how someone else does something we dont agree with and let the world read it on internet?I dont understand who is right and who is wrong,you or Dave or both?This is confuseing to new and young Christ-ians.Is Dave a follower of Christ in your eyes?Are you a follower of Christ in your eyes?Maybe I will keep my eyes on our Lord and not my brother.Jesus said,”Ye without sin cast the first stone.”Will we ever be perfect so as to cast judgement upon our brothers and neighbors?
mike wittmer on October 12, 2009 at 4:00 pm
genesistkd:
I don’t mean to comment on whether or not Dave is a follower of Jesus (though I am not aware that he claims to be). My only point is that what he did is not repentance. That’s not “judging” him but merely providing a description of what his actions.
roseofGod on November 1, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I agree. While we are supposed to leave the judgement up to God, we are also supposed to rebuke our brothers and sisters. One cannot know that they are doing wrong if they are not told so.
rlapid on November 11, 2009 at 12:19 pm
As a father, I sympathize with your sentiment. As a Christian youth leader, I would be remiss if i didn’t point out the following:
“If I was the father of one of those girls, I would drive to New York and punch Dave in the face (and then I would stand ready to forgive him, because I’m a Christian). ”
Forgiveness is relieving yourself of the duty of punishment. That belongs to God.
The sad state of affairs for the human race is that we are all fallen & fall short of the Glory of God. To make matters worse, we are given free will. We can choose, even, to not follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
As a man & a father, I would want to exact a price on someone who had violated my child. Pulling back, I realize that, in D.L.’s situation, choices were made on both sides of the fence. These were adults, not minor children. They not only chose to be intimate, they, for the most part, chose to remain silent. Does this relieve D.L. from his indiscretion: abolutely not. Does this spread the responsibility: yes it does.
I don’t want to discourage you, this is a well thought out & articulated post. And no, repentance is not funny. Not at all. Just know that if you had punched D.L., he would not be the only one needing forgiveness.
mike wittmer on November 12, 2009 at 3:22 pm
rlapid:
You’re right. I was trying to be funny with that comment–sorry about that!