LETTERS: CLINTON NEEDS PRAYERS, NOT JUDGMENT

To the editor:

Several Speak Out callers have chastised the clergy for not taking a stand against the sin and shame the president has brought down on our country. To sit in the seat of judgment is not as comfortable as you imagine. Further, in the depth of human depravity, a festering condemnation of the obvious only forestalls the necessary healing our country needs at this time.

One must remember for seven months, though circumstantial evidence strongly suggested and implied Clinton's participation, he consistently denied the accusations. It wasn't helpful for me that he failed to provide any explanation. Yet I was not willing to equate and construe his silence as an admission of guilt.

For those seven months I patiently waited for the president to tell the American public the truth. I withheld my personal judgment until he had his turn, and, yes, he had plenty of opportunities to inform us. Still, I remained patient. Many people are erroneously judged and convicted by an ignorant mob mentality, and I refused to take part. Until proven otherwise, I am willing to accept his word.

When Mr. Clinton finally exhausted every legal maneuver and confessed, I found his apology lacking sincerity and contrition. Then he turned groveling into an art form, "apologizing" to every group and event he attended.

The whole situation is disgusting, and his pitiful actions contradict every word he speaks. I've lost respect for the man and feel he should resign. While I'm not willing to cheaply wink this situation because "everybody does it" (and you know they don't), I have to ask this important question: Is my public condemnation of the obvious helpful to this situation?

The Christian faith is about confession, repentance, redemption and restoration. Rather than adherence to rules and regulations (of which none of us can uphold), it's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. When people desperately need God the most, is it helpful for our churches to sit in the seat of judgment and critically reinforce the obvious? What purpose does it serve other than to bolster our own self-righteousness?

Clergy have a prophetic responsibility to call sin a sin. We also have a pastoral obligation to offer God's grace and, in the wake of true contrition, forgive the sinner just as Christ forgives you and me. Rather than condemn the obvious from the security of a Sunday morning monologue or the anonymity of Speak Out, I'll wait for him to accept responsibility for his actions. I have to believe he knows what he did was wrong. He just can't seem to face the consequences.

I'm willing to forgive him if he would show me his repentance, but I must confess it's hard for me to trust him anymore. Even though I oppose almost everything he stands for, I'll pray for him. He needs our prayers more than our condemnation. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

The REV. GRANT F.C. GILLARD, Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

Jackson