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In Reply to: internet chat as a forum for justice.. posted by ray on February 16, 2004 at 21:14:20:
There are no doubt many explanations for Sara D's behavior that would help us understand why she did what she did when she did it.
There is little doubt in my mind that she was caught in a cycle of domestic violence, coersion, and sexual abuse that these conditions influenced her behavior as a childcare worker.
Understanding the mitigating circumstances associated with criminal behavior does not amend the damage done. If you want to get a sense of the damage done by Sara D's behavior, read the testimonies of the survivors posted at Movingon.
Justice is a process, judgement is a product. They are related, but they are not the same. Justice seeks to discover all sides and perspectives. It is a painful process of discovery that involves carefully weighing one's values and beliefs.
The survivors of the holocaust brought on by The Story of Davidito and the disciplinary policies of The Family are NOT going to miraculously find the grace to forgive those who stole their innocence and destroyed their capacity to trust in a loving, merciful God.
Who taught the 12-year-old girl about divine mercy when she was raped by the home's shepherd as a lesson in humility? And we speak to her now of mercy? What can she know about that? Who taught the innocent toddler to value forgiveness when he was spanked until he stopped crying? Or the rambunctious little boy who was beaten repeatedly for no reason he could comprehend? And we speak to him now about getting all sides to the story?
Who taught our children to value balanced judgement when they were punished for failing to "get the victory" over their natural desire to play with toys, but then were rewarded with adult praise and attention for playing with their genitals and seductively dancing about in the nude?
Without justice, there can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no true forgiveness.
