Forgiveness.
The law has a statute of limitations. Churches, such as the Catholic Church, have confessionals where sins may be stated and forgiven.
And, at least the Catholic Church makes/made a distinction between a mortal sin and a venial sin. The former was similar to a felony and generally was very difficult to forgive. The latter was serious but could be forgiven through confession and penance.
However, in our increasingly digitized world, with little, if any, ethical rudders, it seems forgiveness is a forgotten virtue.
I say this in light of the ostracization of Banjo because of what one its leaders did 31 years ago when he was an abused, abandoned, homeless kid. The adage, "Those without sin may cast the first stone" comes to mind.
As an individual, 40 or 50 years ago, I took actions which in light of today's standards of castigation would be properly condemned. I have, when and where possible, made apologies for my three- or four-decade old transgressions, and they generally have been accepted with the result I feel grace and the other person feels relieved, to a degree.
So, why not forgive Banjo, and its one leader and move on together, rather than continuing to divide? Same principle would apply to Vice President Joe Biden. Neither the leader of Banjo nor Banjo is a Harvey Weinstein.
Life is full of necessary distinctions, let's make one here.
Patrick Shea, Salt Lake City
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