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WHERE IS THE PASSION OF COMPASSION?
MICHAEL WESTFALL'S...THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE ^ | 8-01-2006 | JONATHAN FLORA

Posted on 08/01/2006 5:27:25 PM PDT by carolgr

There is this scene in a movie you may have heard of. In it, a man stoops down and places his finger in the dirt to write. As he does, the dust from the ground explodes with the power of the words being drawn. We then see several defeated men toss their stones to the ground and walk away. There is no excuse for Mel Gibson’s actions this past weekend. But, where is the compassion to understand how this man got to the place in his battle with the ugly disease of alcoholism that a situation like this can occur? Where did we lose the knowledge that ALL men are not without sin, even those prideful and self declared “sinless” stone-throwers that have so quickly stepped out from the dark shadows to once again attack. As angry as they make me, their colors have been known and shown for years. And today, he asked to meet with Jewish leaders to find, “a path to healing.” Our faith is not testified to by living a perfect life. In spite of how Mel’s critics present themselves as they take careful aim and cock their arms, the last time I checked, Christ was the only perfect man to walk the earth. Our greatest witness can be how we react or respond when we fall and Mel has stood up, brushed himself off, repented, and asked for help. Our witness to others is also how we respond to those that did fall. Already, I am so disappointed with how Christians have turned their backs on Mel or at least, certainly not rushed to his aid. What happened? In my eyes, all of a sudden I see a lot of Peters claiming, “I do not know the man!”

(Excerpt) Read more at michaelwestfall.tripod.com ...


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KEYWORDS: hollywood; jonathanflora; melgibson; michaelwestfall
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To: sinkspur

"Gibson was driving 30 mph over the speed limit and had an open bottle of tequila in his car."

"In addition, Gibson admitted he did everything he's accused of!"

Was the bottle open? And Gibson certainly is doing all sorts of damage control - after all the arresting officer has already pronounced his career "ruined" which seems curious given the fact that there was no injury or damage.


21 posted on 08/01/2006 8:14:59 PM PDT by spanalot
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To: Alter Kaker

If modern medicine, psychiatry, and psychology have taught us anything it is that addiction DOES change people physiologically and mentally.

To assume that all the rants of an acute alcoholic or drug addict truly refelect their rational thoughts is absurd. I have personally known some people before, during, and after such addictions. To even suggest that they, in their most depraved state, are revealing their true nature and true hidden thoughts is wrong. This can be verified from human experience.


22 posted on 08/01/2006 8:47:55 PM PDT by T.L.Sink (stopew)
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To: T.L.Sink
To assume that all the rants of an acute alcoholic or drug addict truly refelect their rational thoughts is absurd.

They reflect his thoughts, rational or otherwise. He is responsible for what he says, does and thinks, drugged or sober.

23 posted on 08/01/2006 9:38:08 PM PDT by Alter Kaker ("Whatever tears one sheds, in the end one always blows one's nose." - Heine)
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To: Alter Kaker
He is responsible for what he says, does and thinks, drugged or sober

How does the Seattle Washington event of July 28, 2006 by the Muslim Pakistani get pushed aside and totally forgotten in order to enable the all out assault on Mel Gibson?

When all is said and done, what harm has been done to the Jewish community by the words of a drunken Mel Gibson that would warrant 3 days of nonstop coverage and discussion without any word about Seattle?

Priorities need to be re-arranged here in FR........

24 posted on 08/02/2006 2:56:32 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss.)
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