Sins of the Father

I am a cynical person. I admit it. Too much seen, too much experienced, many things barely survived. It just isn't easy to shock me. Thus it was odd to find that I was shocked that someone had the bad taste a couple of weeks ago to ask Chelsea Clinton a question about her father's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Since then at least two other people have asked similar questions, basically in reference to how this event affected her mother.

As I read these accounts in the news I couldn't help but see in my mind the photo of Chelsea walking towards the Presidential helicopter with a parent on either side of her, as she held each of their hands. It was the day that President Clinton admitted to the affair. His daughter was 18 years old at the time and a Stanford University freshman. Untold thousand upon thousands of kids have had to deal with a parents infidelity, but not as publicly as Chelsea. What a hell that must have been for her!

One thought that occurred to me as I read about all this was how a similar thing seems to happen to Christians often. Has a non-Christian ever said to you, "How can you be a Christian? What about all those people who were killed during the Spanish Inquisition? Or on the Crusades? Or what about (fill in name of famous immoral or greedy Christian here)?"

Each of us is responsible for how we live our own lives. We answer ultimately to God for the days that he gives us on earth. Did we use our time wisely? Were we kind, compassionate, generous? Did we follow the example of Christ as best we could? We can't answer for what other people have done just like Chelsea can't, and shouldn't, have to answer for her father's or her mother's actions.

Comments

[Nathan]

So true. Gives us a good perspective. Even though you don't like someone it's awful to bring up the sins of the past.

[Molly]

Hmmm, I have a little bit of difficulty with this one. Chelsea has put herself out there as her mother's representative. So I'm not sure it is fowl play to ask her questions about arguably the most memorable events of her father's presidency. They no doubt shaped her mother in some ways that voters might find important. I think it was a mistake to put her on the campaign trail at all, since I wish she didn't have to be asked stuff like that either.

[Lori]

I can see your point. I think that question can only be answered by her parents though, and not her. So to ask Chelsea is pointless I think.

[Molly]

I just cracked myself up, I can't believe you didn't comment on it..."fowl" play? LOL. Ahem....foul.

[Lori]

Molly, I must be way too tired! :)