Forgiveness

Russ Niewiarowski faults the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act for giving “special protection to powerful activist groups pushing for national acceptance of homosexuality” (“Obama renounces religion with bill,” Oct. 30). It presumably does so by “effectively barring all from speaking out against it, putting everyone’s freedom of speech in jeopardy.” Square that, if one can, with the law’s actual text. Section 4711 (5)

In response to questions about part-time Newport-Mesa resident and pro golfer Tiger Woods, who recently admitted to having extramarital affairs, Fox News commentator Brit Hume had this to say: “He’s said to be a Buddhist; I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be, ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.

The Western model for traditional religion and medicine both suffer from the same limitation: dominator thinking. But there is a reason for this. Picture the alpha-dog phenomenon. Wherever two or more dogs are gathered, one dog must be in charge. This is not by accident; it’s evolution. Traditional religion and medicine have been fighting for the alpha position for hundreds of years. The problematic nature of science in competition with the supernatural is a house divided against itself.

Luis Pena For the past two years, the celebrations of the Jewish New Year have been unusually solemn. In 2001, Rosh Hashana, the two-day observance of the new year, came right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It was an unusually difficult occasion in Newport-Mesa synagogues. Last year, thoughts stay turned to the tumultuous year after the attacks. Tonight, as the sun sets and the celebration begins, thoughts will be turned toward global problems, including the war in Iraq and the continuing violence in Israel, said Rabbi Marc Rubenstein of Temple Isaiah in Newport Beach.

Our military mission in the Middle East, writes Tom Williams (“Columnist fails to see both sides of war,” Sept. 15) is to “stop the madmen Osama Bin Laden and Mahmoud Amadinejad of Iran before they can attack us.” “It’s called pre-empting,” he adds. Right. Our adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan have been such a smashing success that we should recycle them in Iran. Moreover, “Within a few short years,” Williams says, “there will be a strong, self sufficient, vibrant democracy at work in Iraq that will be the showpiece of the Middle East.

"God doesn't remember my mistakes. For all the things he does do, this is one thing he refuses to do. He refuses to keep a list of my wrongs. When I ask for forgiveness, he doesn't pull out a clipboard and say, 'But I've already forgiven him for that 516 times.' He doesn't remember." -- MAX LUCADO Friday was Valentine's Day. It may have been a fulfilling day of flowers, cards, candy and greetings from people who love you. For others, Friday may have brought up old wounds, and ended up being a day filled with more pain than pleasantries.

Earlier this week I was studying with a childhood friend. As we caught up she talked about her preparations for Seder dinner. Her daughter showed me the Passover book she had made and we inquired about each other's family traditions for this sacred week as we have for years. It is a huge week of celebration for a large segment of our population. Whether you are Jewish observing Passover or Christian celebrating Easter, this holy week is a celebration of freedom. Looking through my young friend's Passover book, I was reminded of the exodus story of the Jewish people.

Q: I'm furious, because the man I've been seeing for two years told me at Christmas that he's decided not to divorce his wife and marry me. Our relationship was secret, but what would be wrong with letting his wife know what's been going on? He deserves to get hurt for going back on his promise to me. — B.W. A: I'm probably not going to give you the answer you want to hear, but it would be wrong for you to lash out in anger and try to hurt this man and his family. I even wonder if you secretly hope his wife will turn against him and send him back into your arms, but if so, this too would be wrong.

Several online confessionals have popped up for sinners to admit transgressions anonymously. Do you approve of this confessional form or do should congregants do it traditionally — either face-to-face with a priest or anonymously through a confessional?   Admitting one’s mistakes is always healthy, even anonymously. The healing, however, takes place when people are willing to stop living in the emotional history of the mistake, make amends if necessary or possible, and forgive themselves.