There are different ways of standing by a friend. Jesus said we should visit people in prison, so I don't think deserting friends is ever an option. I am skeptical about the “rape” charges and would be inclined to believe Harvey Weinstein that he at least believed his sexual contact was consensual. However, what has been described was immoral, boorish, adulterous, unethical. If I were his friend, I would tell him to take his lumps. I wouldn't denounce him publicly, which I find to be grandstanding. I would NOT have encouraged him to try to save his job. He has years of work ahead of him in the form of repairing his relationships with his children and his brother. he should try to save his marriage. Also, he is Jewish and probably has given generously to Jewish causes. It's time to start practicing Judaism. Of course, he should make financial and personal amends to any women he did embarrass or harass.
I know people who know Harvey Weinstein. He has been personally helpful and generous to many people — and I am not snarkily alluding to sexual tit-for-tat. Those people owe him loyalty, even - perhaps, especially — at a time like this.
...would be inclined to believe Harvey Weinstein that he at least believed his sexual contact was consensual.If you contract with a prostitute for a rape-fantasy, how can you tell when the NO really means no? If you are use sexual favors as a job requirement, how can you tell when the YES doesn't mean yes?
I don’t think we completely disagree on this...I think it boils down to what we mean by “stand by a friend”, IOW, defining the terms.
We could probably agree it doesn’t mean blindly supporting someone while condemning the accusers.