Hermenuetics

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No matter how many times I read about it or hear about it, my soul sobs inwardly. This is beyond tragic. There are no words for it.

Even more disturbing is the recent interview with Bob Costa where Sandusky alarmingly defends himself as merely "horsing around" with children in the shower. It makes my skin crawl, and also makes my spirit just call out to our God.

I really like what Megan @ Sorta Crunchy had to say about it:

"This isn't about Coach McQueary or Jerry Sandusky or Joe Paterno or Penn State. This isn't about college football.
This is about child sex abuse and we need to call it out for what it is. It's easier to make this about college football. It's easier to make this about the Catholic church. It's easier to make jokes about the creepy uncle in the family. It's easier because the facts of child sex abuse are so staggering, so blisteringly real that no one wants to really talk about it. Including me."

http://www.sortacrunchy.net/sortacrunchy/2011/11/its-not-about-happy-valley-.html

Posted By: rachel @ even one sparrow | November 16, 2011 10:39 AM

"Because of Paterno, we all now know that we have an obligation to protect kids by speaking up to legal authorities when we learn—or even suspect—that abuse has occurred."

It is impossible that anyone could have NOT known this. A janitor says he actually witnessed Sandusky raping a boy (allegedly) and didn't say a single word. There is NO EXCUSE for not reporting suspected child abuse. NONE. Not for Joe Paterno, not for me, not for you.

It's perhaps sad for some fans that this will be Paterno's "legacy." I don't really care if they are sad. When you fail to do something that ends up destroying the lives of children, I'd say you pretty much deserve it if that's what people remember. Let his failure be a lesson to others.

Posted By: Robyn | November 16, 2011 10:52 AM

Mr. Paterno is feeling remorse at his failure to act. We've all been shamed by our failures. How do we obey God and avoid the shameful failure in the first place? Only by his grace in giving us the Holy Spirit to stregthen and guide us in following the example of Christ. Oppression takes many forms, whether child abuse (sexual, emotional, etc.) or otherwise. And when oppression rears its ugly head, God calls us to act. Satan desires that we don't. I'd rather satisfy God than Satan.

So what do we do when faced with child abuse or any other oppression of the defenseless? I see the results of abuse and oppression all the time at work, and it is always because someone in power (a parent, spouse, employer, coach, neighbor) chose to oppress or abuse. Often, some other person who also had the ability to speak up or intervene chose not to. Because let's not mince words. Failure to act is a choice.

So yet again, what do we do? Simple. We act. It may mean displeasing the world to do so, but failing to act means disobeying God. The ways to act depend on each situation, but we know from the Penn State case that passing it up the chain and not following up on it doesn't cut it.

Tim

Posted By: Tim | November 16, 2011 11:25 AM

When I was being sexually abused by teenage boys (I was five), I know my babysitter knew, now that I look back in retrospect. But the sad truth is that I also TOLD HER what happened. And yet the boys continued to take me away.

I wrote my first published novel, Watching the Tree Limbs, as a quest for a hero. I needed a hero who dared to messy themselves with the awful truth that I was five and being molested, but no one stood up. No one intervened.

The problem is truth is messy and will make our lives hard. Reporting abuse will cause a chain reaction. Folks won't like us if we do. But what must be utmost is the protection of the innocent. That has to take precedent over an adult's fear that they'll mess with the status quo.

Posted By: Mary DeMuth (@MaryDeMuth) | November 16, 2011 11:56 AM

Although, I agree wholeheartedly with this author, we should be very careful not to throw stones. None of us knows for sure how we would act if our whole life's work was threatened by the alleged misdeeds of another. Of course, we would like to think that, especially with innocent children involved, we would do the right thing. I pray God that I would. But unless and until we are tested, we don't know for sure. This is a tragedy for everyone involved.

It is very easy to be righteous about other people's mistakes. I am certainly not condoning what Coach Paterno did, or in this case, didn't do, but we should learn humility from this not self-righteousness.

Thanks for posting on this topic.

Posted By: Suzy | November 16, 2011 12:06 PM

There's a Chinese proverb: If you lie to me once, then tell the truth a thousand times, I'll still be wondering if I should believe you. Paterno exhibited inspiring idealism and integrity at least 1000 times in his long and storied career. But this one great lapse of integrity casts an everlasting shadow over all that went before.

Just for the record, Penn State was undefeated in the Big 10 before last week. But they were not undefeated for the season, as they lost to Alabama early on.

Posted By: David C Downing | November 16, 2011 12:51 PM

I'm blogging from Penn State as a faculty member there, and I'm thankful that folks point out the self-righteousness of our criticism. My heart is breaking over my OWN sin as I see the reality of sin in every corner of this campus. Here is today's post: http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/2011/11/weeping-cherry-speaks.html

Posted By: Live with Flair | November 16, 2011 1:15 PM

While I find this to be a tragedy on so many levels, I don't know why a name should be removed from a trophy. Isn't that a revisionist approcah to what, indeed, did happen? Has Nixon's portait been removed from the Capital? What about Clinton's?

Punish, but don't alter history.

Posted By: Dave | November 16, 2011 1:57 PM

Dave has a good point. We shouldn't alter history. And I too agree with all the author wrote but this whole issue is very humbling. For Paterno did inspire millions of people. Even I know who he is (and I don't follow any sports). It is humbling because it is so easy to point fingers, but what about us? Do you ever question the health of some of the families in your communities? Do you do something about it? Child Abuse is awful. I haven't even been following this story. I don't understand why there were young boys in the locker room at the college -- it is all wrong and tragic, but we must be careful. He who is without sin can throw the first stone is what Jesus said. Sin is sin. We are to protect the innocent but how well are we doing as a society when we allow abortions and so many children live without permanent families? May God help us all be the people He's called us to be.

Posted By: Jane Hinrichs | November 16, 2011 3:18 PM

Hmm...it will be interesting to see how this plays out. As a coach, Mr. Patero was a mandated court reporter. As such, his failure to report could be criminally prosecuted.

I understand how difficult it can be to report - especially if it is someone you know - a colleague - a friend. Being a victim of child sexual abuse myself, I even struggled with reporting suspected activity by someone I knew and liked. It was hard. But in the end, I had to or I would have not been able to look myself in the mirror.

So many people think, "well, I shouldn't say anything unless I have concrete proof." This is not the case. It is not the job of the reporter to investigate and prove the allegation. That could be dangerous. The professionals (i.e., the police) are the ones who investigate. They will not arrest someone without evidence, but it is their job to get that, not ours. If we don't report suspected abuse, they will not know there is something to investigate.

For me, it came down to thinking about the children who are hurt - thinking about the lifetime impact that abuse has on them - doubly so if no one ever knows and they get no help in processing and healing. In my own childhood, there were those who saw things - knew things - and never did anything but fume to themselves...and it has taken 40+ years for me to even begin to start the healing process - an entire life devastated...because no one wanted to say anything.

Posted By: Katherine Gunn | November 16, 2011 4:12 PM

It is difficult to refrain from casting stones on Joe Paterno and the other ones who witnessed abuse and failed to report it while still holding fast to God's Truth, that a life submitted to sin is destructive. I think this article successfully does both.

Posted By: Lyndsey | November 16, 2011 6:03 PM

We do not have to be read, nor seen the written record, so I will not judge Coach Joe.
I am ashamed at the Trustees for their act. Yes, after so many years of his service, dedicated coaching and commitment, and then financial commitment to the University, they 'telephoned' Coach Joe to fire him. they could not even leave him finish the season. Coach Joe probably helped each of the trustee investments too.
How sad!
Where is kindness and goodness?
Theses are my thoughts!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Bob

Posted By: Robert Burns | November 16, 2011 6:05 PM

If stones are to be thrown, then the author of the above article ought to be ashamed for trying Sandusky, Paterno, et.al., in the press. Mr. Sandusky may well be guilty, but that has not been proven in a court of law, and he is entitled to his innocence until that has been achieved beyond the reasonable shadow of a doubt. Painting one, in the press, as guilty, poisons the heart of the people who may have to decide his case, and using a Christian platform and publication to do that certainly pierces Jesus' heart, stains the author's motives, and trashes the Christian concept of truth and justice.

Posted By: Daniel L. Rial | November 16, 2011 6:50 PM

Thank you Daniel! I have been astounded by the rush to judgment even by Christians before the whole story has come out. Paterno has stated that he was not told the lurid details the press has been reporting, and if Sandusky and others were really just "horsing around" as he stated, it could have easily appeared as something sinister to a momentary observer. To my knowledge, not a single person has some forward to say they were sexually molested by Sandusky, and yet the press is reporting as a fact that Sandusky used his charity to troll for "victims." It is truly sad if good people's lives have been tarnished or even ruined by what turns out to be no more than misperception and bad judgment.

Posted By: Jay Hopkins | November 16, 2011 10:08 PM

There is an awful tendency for a story like this to turn into a modern-day witch hunt. I don't know if anyone else remembers the McMartin Pre-School trials. When those shocking allegations hit the news it seemed that there was absolutely no doubt that the accused were guilty degenerates; it later turned out that they were cleared of most of the charges.
I am by no means trivializing the damage done to young victims of sexual abuse, but I get an uneasy feeling when I hear sexual predators referred to as "monsters" by the press and the public. Deeply disturbed, yes. Sinful, yes. Dangerous, yes. But many predators were, themselves, victims of abuse at a young age, and may have spent a lifetime of struggling with their memories as well as their impulses. And no one is beyond hope or too damaged to count as a human being. As Christians, we should be careful. It's just too easy to be swept along in a wave of public outrage and I can't think that Christ would approve.

Posted By: Serena | November 16, 2011 10:39 PM

@Serena. Some predators were themselves victims, yes. But many were not. And as a survivor, I am tired of hearing that as an excuse. If they were victims themselves, that is tragic, but it does not mean they are not responsible for their own choices. When something like this is exposed and the response is to say that they were probably victims, too, it is a slap in the face of every victim of abuse who did not pass the pain along. Help them if they will let you, but do not make excuses for them. It only enables.

Posted By: Katherine Gunn | November 17, 2011 1:04 AM

If the allegations against Sandusky are true and Joe Paterno really did look the other way after hearing the sordid details, then, yes, he made a horrifying choice. But, as much as anyone, we as Christians should understand the reality of aspiring to a very high standard and yet constantly failing to meet it.

Whatever his "legacy" is, the positive impact he had on the lives of young men he coached isn't somehow erased by a scandal. Real life is more complex.
I think we can all recognize that choosing not to protect children is a terrible choice, but perhaps the more gracious response would be not to crucify Paterno for being flawed but rather to reflect on whether or not aspects of our own behavior hurt other people....

Posted By: Anonymous | November 17, 2011 1:52 AM

This was an excellent article and a lesson for all. The most important lesson in all of this is that children need our protection...we are responsible for them. We all fall short...we are all sinners in some way. I feel that we should not throw stones...we are all sinners. JoePa is experiencing consequences for not doing more...I know we are all guilty of that as well. The more revered and higher up on the ladder we place someone the farther they will fall. The only one to be revered should be GOD!
My prayers go to the victims of this tragedy. Prayers also for mankind...we all fall and fail.

Posted By: Rose Dunkerley | November 17, 2011 6:11 AM

> I don't know why a name should be removed from a trophy. Isn't that a revisionist approcah

It would only be revisionist if it was removing his name from a trophy he won--this is a trophy named in his honor, something quite different.

Posted By: Randy | November 17, 2011 9:20 AM

Yes, I have questions. Yes, I report it. And yes, I would risk my livelihood to protect a child. I have reported suspected child abuse at least 6 times. It is the job of Child Protective Services to investigate. Not mine. Disclaimer: I am a mandated reporter. PATERNO is a mandated reporter. But I think that EVERYONE should consider him/herself a mandated reporter.

Self-righteous criticism? Hardly. More like righteous judgement. I do not understand in the least how commenters are excusing this "failure" and "mistake" by saying that we all make mistakes. No kidding. That does not in any way diminish the severity of this one, nor excuse the man who made it. I'm glad he's sorry. But that STILL does not mean that we should just pooh-pooh what happened and let it go.

As for rush to judgement, "When presented with information that Sandusky had been caught sexually abusing a boy while in Penn State’s locker room"... We are talking about a janitor saying that he saw a boy being RAPED, not that he saw Sandusky "horsing around" with a boy in the shower. I don't see how, in light of this particular fact, this judgement is in any way rushed.

Surely, this should make us each look to ourselves. But I don't think that looking to ourselves means that we must lose our outrage at what happened to these boys and the adults who failed to stop it.

Posted By: Robyn | November 17, 2011 11:38 AM

When the talk on this blog is about homosexuality, I don't hear "let him who has not sinned throw the first stone." I hear strong words condemning sin. I don't see this as any different.

Posted By: Robyn | November 17, 2011 11:42 AM

@ Jay Hopkins NOT a single person has come forward?! There EIGHT victims who have come forward to date!

@Daniel, Paterno admitted he should have said something. This is not a media trial of him. It is his own admission.

Posted By: Robyn | November 17, 2011 11:50 AM

Using your own words Robyn, who are you to cast the first stone? Oh, you think this is different? Well, maybe if you're start reading the Bible in Romans and in 2Peter chapter 2, talking about how God detests sins of the flesh, which certainly includes the child sexual abuse, you will see that God puts homosexuality in the same category. Sorry, God isn't as pc as you'd like on homosexuality. The rage you have towards child sexual abuse is the same kind of rage God has towards it, as well as homosexuality. In 2Peter it talks about how the homosexuals will continue to deny that there is anything wrong with it, obviously influencing lots of people, and ridiculing those who dare to disagree, which is very, very sad. What a change we have from tv programs 30 years ago, such as "Little House on the Prarie" which showed them praying in almost every episode, and them going to church, etc, and now we have complete garbage like "Knocked Up" and shows about polygamy, and programs about lesbian couples. You change the channel, and there is a homosexual "couple" looking for real estate. You can't escape the filth anywhere on tv. And yes, it is filth to God.

God is SO strong on this in 2 Peter chapter 2, please take the time to read it. And the difference is, most people try not to sin. Homosexuals have an agenda of not only sinning, but saying they will continue to sin, and that it is, in fact, GOOD, and that people who defend them are VIRTUOUS. They want school children taught the history of the "homosexual fight for freedom", and they want children as young as 4 brainwashed into accepting this sin that is an abomination to God. People who steal, etc are sinners too, of course. But most Christians try not to sin, out of love, they want to please God. Most Christians do NOT flaunt their sin, have parades about their SIN, and try to brainwash people into accepting this SIN which God abhors. If you cannot see a difference in Christians who try to not sin, and homosexuals, who are pushing their agenda, and now ridiculing people who disagree with them, that's too bad. Ridicule is their next step to stop anyone from speaking out against it. And in Romans, we're told why God particularly detests fleshly sexual sin. It's because Christians have the Holy Spirit inside of them. That is incompatible with homosexuality, which God abhors. Truly, if you love the people, witness to them and ask them to repent. I pray that everyone will bring these very strong words to heart, and if you truly care about the people, tell them the truth. Jesus may come at any time. Rev 3:10 says that a great trial will come upon the whole earth, but believers will be spared. 2Peter is so appropriate for the age that we live in. Here is 2Peter chapter 2:

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.

Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.

These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”

And from Hebrews 10: "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." Hebrews 10:26-27

If these speak to you, please repent! Rev 3:10 says that a great trial will come upon the whole earth, except for the believers, just like God protected Noah and his family, and Lot and his wife, because they did not participate in the unrighteousness. This can happen at any time, and I pray that anyone reading this will take it seriously and repent. It is not doing the kind thing to keep telling people that their sin is "fine" with God, and to make various excuses, which are just that, excuses.

Posted By: Sharon | November 17, 2011 2:51 PM

@Jay.....apparently you have not been paying attention...at the beginning there were 8 who came forward....and today even more have come out. It is not uncommon for serial predators to have between 50-100 victims in their lifetimes. The interview with Costas on NBC showed how sick of a man he really is. I have read the transcripts of the grand jury's indictment - I literally became physically ill. As a survivor of sexual abuse this makes my blood boil. We are not judging or casting stones...it is righteous anger. Jesus valued and loved little children immensely. In fact it says in Matthew 18:6 - "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Sandusky and these people from Penn State didn't cause these boys to sin but they killed their innocence and for some destroyed their lives forever.....never to be healed or restored. So I know that this situation had made Jesus angry and grieves His heart immensely....

Posted By: Kayleen | November 17, 2011 9:42 PM

I agree with Kayleen, that Sandusky's acts "made Jesus angry and grieves His heart immensely."

I don't know about a janitor who saw Sandusky rape a child, but there was a grad asssistant to Paterno (McQueary) who DID see it and reported it to Paterno. Not only that, it's a fact that men or teenagers who abuse children don't admit it when confronted with the accusation. They lie about it to protect themselves. There are plenty of examples we've already heard about to prove that fact, as well as the fact that I have seen it myself in my own experience. If you confront an abuser about the abuse he committed, he will deny it. Yes, it is right that someone is innocent until proven guilty; but at this point there is a solid witness who saw Sandusky raping a child. And once we hear from that child and others, I am quiter sure that we will see that Sandusky lied about his actions.

Sadly, maybe Paterno's new legacy will help the world more than his football legacy ever could have. My hope is that it will prevent a lot of abuse in the future by motivating people to stop men like Sandusky before they are able to abuse more children.

Posted By: Sue | November 18, 2011 3:56 AM

Perhaps some of the pain and betrayal people feel about the "fall" of Joe Paterno could have been mitigated if he was not put on such a pedestal to begin with. While he had lofty goals and did some great things, Joe was both human and made mistakes long before and after this failing. Living in the Penn State area, I have run into as many people who, rather than experiencing the media version of Joe (and most likely how he was often), experienced a man who occasionally abused his power, acted out of pride and entitlement, and was, basically, a broken man just like the rest of us. If he did not strive for the honor that was given him and if people refused to put him there, these feelings of betrayal and loss might be different.

Posted By: Mark E. | November 18, 2011 8:28 AM

I've read a couple times in these comments about the rule of being innocent until proven guilty. That's a good rule for a jury to follow; if the government accuses someone of committing a crime, make the prosecutor prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt before a guilty verdict can be reached. But keep in mind that presuming innocence just means the jury needs to operate with the presumption that the charge is not true unless and until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt. The presumption of innocence does not mean the person is truly innocent. It's all part of a legal structure that balances the otherwise overwhelming power of the government against the rights of an accused person (even a guilty accused peron) to a fair trial.

Of course, this is not a rule anyone is required to follow in life outside the courtroom. And as Christians, it is not what we are called to either. Instead, we are called "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8.) That verse and many others give us the proper way to respond to reports of injustice. God's justice, God's mercy and humbling ourselves as we walk with him should be stamped on every bit of our response to the horrific reports out of Penn State or anywhere else.

Tim

Posted By: Tim | November 18, 2011 10:20 AM

@Sharon. Read my comment. I NEVER said that homosexuality is okay. I said that the same outrage over homosexuality should be the same as the outrage over CHILD RAPE. I said that I find it ridiculous that people are excusing someone for not stopping CHILD RAPE.

This is not a "throw the first stone" issue. This is calling sin sin, in the SAME vein as calling homosexuality sin sin.

Posted By: Robyn | November 18, 2011 1:24 PM

We can share with these boys "The Christ who must suffer," who fulfilled prophecy as He was"
1. Betrayed by a close friend
2. Stripped naked
3. Physically violated (Isaiah 52:14)
4. Shamed and humiliated
5. Verbally and mentally abused
6. By those in authority over Him (religious and civil)
7. Tempted to numb His pain as He hung on the cross, crying out when He was feeling totally forsaken, even by His Father

Jesus went through all of this so HE could:
1. let them know that He knows what they've gone through
2. taking on their humanity and suffering
(Hebrews 2:10, 14-18)

3. earning the right to "rise with HEALING in His
wings," (Malachi 4:2)

If we could invest energy in offering healing to the victims who were violated, God's kingdom of grace and truth would move forward, redeeming and restoring what satan has stolen.

In our prayer and discipleship ministry, (www.straight2theheart.com) we share how Jesus connects His story with our story of sin and suffering, so HE can forgive us, heal us and set us free.

Paul Coneff
Director: Straight 2 the Heart Ministries

Posted By: Paul Coneff | November 18, 2011 10:28 PM

I would like to ask Ms. Liautaud and all who agree with her a few questions.

How can anyone forget a man who was a coach of the same team at the same school for forty six years, and a successful coach at that? And why would all the good he has done be forgotten because he made a mistake, as terrible as the mistake is?

And why should the man's name be removed from those places where it now proudly stands, for deeds and acts than had nothing to do with the game he coached nor the glory he sought, and most particularly when he was not himself the perpetrator of the foul deeds?

And why, Ms.Liautaud, do you want to send an 84 year old man to his grave with not even those honours for which he dedicated all of his working life? Is he no longer a legend, if only a less burnished one? Will the powers that be change the college stats too and ask Penn State to return the trophies it won?

I hope Mr. Paterno (who I knew nothing about before this story broke) is a saved man, because if he has/had served God with the same zeal as he served his school, God would certainly not be hanging him out to dry in his old age.

The bard was right "The evil that men do lives after them, the good is often interred with their bones".

Posted By: Steve Skeete | November 21, 2011 12:08 PM