Throwing Stones

Here's the monthly article for the August edition of our local Parish magazine.

I am writing this at the time when the News of the World affair has been dominating the news. The newspaper has been closed, Andy Coulson arrested, the judgement of the Prime Minister called into question, and an outraged public are crying out for Rebekah Brooks’ resignation. I am aware that by the time you are reading this there may be further developments to shock us or it is just possible that we might have forgotten the current hue and cry.

While indignation over alleged gross illegal misconduct is understandable, and it is right for offenders to be held to account there does appear to be a level of self-righteousness and some opportunism among the voices baying for blood.

It reminds me of the time when a crowd brought to Jesus a woman caught in an act of adultery.  Under the Law of Moses this was a capital offence and the punishment was stoning.  The witnesses to the offence were required to be the first to throw stones (literally).  Jesus takes time to write in the dusty ground.  Some surmise that he might have listed other sins.  When he spoke he simply said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.  The crowd gradually left, from the eldest to the youngest.  Her sin was not excused, but it was forgiven and she was told never to sin again.

It seems to me that there is something dangerous within the current atmosphere – a human weakness that is quick to join the mob and condemn, but slow to admit our own faults.  The way in which we judge others will be the standard by which we will be judged ourselves.  
The Bible is not soft on crime; just strong on putting right the causes.  That seems a better way; and one worth exploring.