The Strength of Confession
Oct 27, 2017
Rashaan Gaulden, a junior defensive back for the University of Tennessee football team, spoke to press after their game recently against the University of Alabama. Gaulden appeared in order to apologize for his actions during the game.
Gaulden made an obscene gesture to Alabama fans at one point during the game, which was broadcast on national television. He recounted at the press conference:
Gaulden made an obscene gesture to Alabama fans at one point during the game, which was broadcast on national television. He recounted at the press conference:
I just kind of walked to the sideline like, 'Man, what am I doing?' But there was a lot of frustration building up to that. I just know that's not how my parents raised me. They raised me to be grounded, humble. I just feel really bad for disrespecting them and the University of Tennessee and Alabama as well for doing that.
Gaulden is in his early twenties. He made a mistake, and that mistake gnawed at his conscience, and he did what all hope our children will learn to do when they err – he felt remorse and he apologized.
The actions of this young university student stand in stark contrast to the man who currently occupies the Oval Office and those who surround him in the White House. When Trump and those in his orbit err, they lie, they dissemble, and they lay blame on others.
Certain religious leaders in the US, notably American evangelicals like Jerry Falwell, Jr, Robert Jefress, and Paula White, who purportedly stood as a moral majority, now defend the president continuously as he lies, dissembles, and shifts blame.
This is a particularly unchristian manner of living. It is a particular inhumane way of living. It is less than we expect even of our young children.
Confessing our errors is an act of strength and maturity. Good for Rashaan Gaulden, a young man who exhibited such strength not only by apologizing for his wrongdoing, but who did so because he was touched by remorse for his actions.
Notable, in contrast, is the monumental weakness and immaturity demonstrated continuously by Donald J. Trump, those in his administration, and the American evangelicals who support him.
The actions of this young university student stand in stark contrast to the man who currently occupies the Oval Office and those who surround him in the White House. When Trump and those in his orbit err, they lie, they dissemble, and they lay blame on others.
Certain religious leaders in the US, notably American evangelicals like Jerry Falwell, Jr, Robert Jefress, and Paula White, who purportedly stood as a moral majority, now defend the president continuously as he lies, dissembles, and shifts blame.
This is a particularly unchristian manner of living. It is a particular inhumane way of living. It is less than we expect even of our young children.
Confessing our errors is an act of strength and maturity. Good for Rashaan Gaulden, a young man who exhibited such strength not only by apologizing for his wrongdoing, but who did so because he was touched by remorse for his actions.
Notable, in contrast, is the monumental weakness and immaturity demonstrated continuously by Donald J. Trump, those in his administration, and the American evangelicals who support him.
