God’s Law Rules
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” -- Matthew 18:6
The news has rocked Penn State and the sports world. Former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is accused of sexually abusing eight young boys. Athletics director Tim Curley (now on administrative leave) and Senior Vice President Gary Schultz (now retired) have been arrested on charges of perjury and failing to report information about Sandusky’s activities. Now Head Coach Joe Paterno and University President Graham Spanier have been fired.
It’s one of those who knew what when scenarios and none of the answers are pretty. Paterno was not charged. At least not in criminal court. He reported allegations of sexual misconduct to his boss. That’s all he’s legally required to do.
But the charges he faces in the moral court are something else entirely. The alleged incidents took place over a span of 15 years. At least one of the attacks allegedly took place after Paterno found out. Was doing what was legally required really all he was morally obligated to do?
This is where God’s law supersedes man’s law. To remain silent, to watch from the sidelines, while nothing was done to stop an alleged predator is beyond comprehension. How could anyone turn a blind eye while an abuser continues to abuse?
Of course, Paterno wasn’t alone. Some people allegedly witnessed acts between Sandusky and young boys. Where were their voices in all this? And what did university officials do? How could anyone think that covering up sexual abuse would make it go away? The Catholic church taught a really good lesson on that very thing. They should have paid attention.
And where are the kids in all this mess? Somewhere there are at least eight young men who will forever have scars because an adult they trusted did something horrible to them. Has anyone considered the children? Were they even part of the equation as adults tried to keep this terrible secret from surfacing?
I know. Sandusky and the others haven’t had their day in court. It’s such a sick scenario. We could have youngsters facing a jury to tell their story. Justice at the cost of further injury to the victims. Haven’t they suffered enough?
As for Sandusky, he’ll pay for any crimes he’s committed. And the others will pay for their crimes as well. They’ll have to live with the knowledge that they knew something awful was happening and they didn’t stop it.
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