"It may be useful to remember that Christian faith is ultimately dependent upon what actually happened rather than upon the views of historians."
- I. Howard Marshall
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Disclaimer: I don't intend for this post (or comment thread) to become a defense of Mel's behavior or to attack him either.
I found this post that points out a particular aspect of this story which is unusual:
Mel's Apology
I'm not commenting on Mel Gibson's drunkenness, the content of his remarks (they're obviously wrong and offensive), or even whether his apology is sincere. I do want to comment on the content of his apology because it strikes me as rare among public apologies.
When someone issues an apology and includes the words "if I have offended or hurt anyone" it seems to me insincere. It's hedging the apology not quite admitting they actually did do some harm. Apologies rarely seem to have any shame.
Shame can be a good thing because it's the appropriate response of the conscience for doing something wrong. Shame is very underrated in our society today where the attitude is very non-judgmental and the sin is to make someone feel bad for their actions. Instead, Mel apologizes directly and takes personal responsibility for the shameful actions and words. He acknowledges he has done harm. And then he refers to steps he's taking to correct his wrong.
Now, that's an apology that admits something wrong.
Mel's apology
August 2, 2006 -- There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of Anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.
I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.
I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one on one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery. Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.
This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic license. This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have. It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad.
This part especially stands out to me: I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
You don't normally hear
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/3232.
Comments on "Mel Gibson's Apology":
2. Alan
- 08/03/2006 12:19 pm CDT
Real apologies are a good but rare thing. I'm glad Mel had the wisdom to say this, or at least a publicist who knows the difference between that and a pseudo-apology.
It still defies credulity that a man is being spit-roasted around the clock, with no end in sight, over some hateful things he said when he got drunk off his gourd. I've never been drunk, but I've sure said plenty of things sober that caused me to seek forgiveness.
At the same time, a group of organized murderers is trying to wipe out Jews, and they're treated more than sympathetically by the media.
3. Dawn Clark
- 08/03/2006 3:24 pm CDT
I was impressed by his apology, as well. I agree, I would have been impressed were this apology handed out by anyone - let alone a celebrity!
(Bobbing my head like one of those stupid dogs in car windows...) YES! Alan, isn't it incomprehensible how the media can embrace the decimation of the Jewish people literally, but the words of one drunk man necessitate oxygen therapy!
4. David Marcoe
- 08/03/2006 6:08 pm CDT
Mel, to some, may have demonstrated his faith more dramatically through this apology than through something like Passion of The Christ.
Also, we should all remember (or know, for those who haven't found out yet) that he grew up with a father who was and is an anti-Semite.
5. Ame
- 08/03/2006 6:32 pm CDT
Can you just imagine:
I am AN ADULT, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words, INCLUDING CHILDREN.
6. Rich
- 08/04/2006 5:19 am CDT
Yeah, I agree with what everyone's said here. Maybe just to expound on one thing Alan said:
I’m glad Mel had the wisdom to say this, or at least a publicist who knows the difference between that and a pseudo-apology.
IMO, it doesn't matter to me if a publicist wrote the apology or Mel Gibson. What matters is that Mel Gibson took what he/his publicist wrote and made it his own. They're the words he chose to be held to and will be held to in the public's eye. Here's hoping he follows through, is a light for Christ in doing so, and that those he hurt through his words are healed in the process.
7. jen
- 08/04/2006 7:08 am CDT
I'm more surprised that he said the anti-semetic remarks than by his apology. He's always struck me as an upfront person. I appreciate his candor and obviously sincere remorse and that he didn't just apologize, but he asked for forgiveness.
And now I'm watching to see who will extend grace to him.
8. Randy Brandt
- 08/04/2006 8:53 am CDT
Is Mel going to ask women to help him deal with calling the female cop "sugar tits"? I have to stay a little skeptical of Mel's sincerity because the original comments weren't the tequila talking, they were the uninhibited Mel. The apology was carefully crafted, but which words came from the heart? Maybe all of them, I guess.
Yup. That was one of my first thoughts when I read his apology... Whoa! Now there's something you don't see everyday!
I don't know what to think of the whole thing. Except that it seems to be blown out somewhat out of proportion. Some of the Fox people just can't stand the thought that his career might not be over. (and I like FOX news for the most part)