I have been disappointed many times in my life by people who are supposed to be setting an example for us. It’s made me have a very calloused attitude toward others, especially those in high places and those whose inflated worth is displayed on pedestals as a model for all to emulate. Like Mark Twain said, “few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
Politicians have always led the pack with the example not to follow. Mark Twain also said, “there is no distinctly Native American criminal class…save Congress.” The latest is David Vitter, Republican from Louisiana. He was caught in an adulterous affair with a lady of the night. He is a lector in his local Catholic Church and has been associated with the Family Research Council. Ladies of the night, white house interns, movie stars and others in the trade have all helped bring down some of our most esteemed public figures and literally exposed them in more ways than one.
One of the most disturbing scandals of late is the situation with Catholic Priest and the sexual abuse of children. The Los Angeles diocese just paid a record 660 million to abuse victims. The Catholic Church has now paid over 2 billion dollars to victims throughout the US. I suspect these victims are only the tip of the iceberg of those who suffered similar abuse. It’s not just the Catholic Church. It seems like men of the cloth have been discovered to be within the ranks of the politicians.
Whose example are we to follow, certainly not that of mortal men? That example will lead to disappointment. I am not an overzealous church going person because that too will lead to disappointments. The greatest example to follow is found in the life of the one depicted in the Gospels. It’s a most unfortunate and cruel paradox, that those who hypocritically allege to be his most loyal followers and spokesman, proclaim the life of the one in the Scriptures.