21-year old Genarlow Wilson is serving his second year on a ten-year sentence for having consensual oral sex at the age of 17 with a 15-year-old girl. The jury found Wilson guilty in 2005 of aggravated child molestation, which occurred at a 2003 New Year’s Eve party. Even though Georgia changed this law since Wilson’s conviction his sentence was not made retroactive. Superior Court Judge Thomas Wilson of Monroe County Georgia offered the young Wilson a plea “that would have allowed Genarlow Wilson to plead to First Offender Treatment, which would mean that he would not have a criminal record nor would he be subject to registering on the sex offender registry once his sentence had been completed.” Wilson has had much support throughout the country including the editorial board of the New York Times and also from former President Jimmy Carter. Upon hearing the ruling many screamed with delight but there shortly after Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker stated the judge has the right to grant habeas relief he did however not have the right to “reduce or modify the judgment of the trial court.” The state attorney general filled a notice of appeal, which unfortunately keeps the young Genarlow Wilson in prison, at least for the time being.
Murky justice seems to become when we allow personal views of fairness to become tainted with misguided Christian values of good and evil, which is governed by a deep sense of exclusiveness from a faith that cries out for justice and the receptivity of God’s love. Is it justice that punishes a boy for the misguided values that society has encouraged by fostering an example of uncontrollable actions dominated by their own passions of lust? I respect fully the outward commitment and impassioned beliefs that are so strongly rooted in the traditions of the Southern states but have come to question the sincerity of such voices when I see examples of individuals more concerned about their personal relationship with Christ then the ongoing commitment we have to co-participate with the universal church centering our thoughts on the example we present to others as the Body of Christ. What was it that this man did that was so wrongfully committed that he deserves to serve time in prison? He was an honors student who showed to be a promising individual who would have contributed greatly to society but we instead find ourselves punishing him for acting out irresponsibly with his actions, actions that many of us have committed ourselves at the same age. Are we not casting a stone at the sin of this young man when in truth we are just as guilty? Instead of showing him what it means to be an action of love, a gift of self-donation to another, we act out just as irresponsibly and ignorant of the truth of God. It is not my fault for the sins of others which has separated them from their Creator but it is my responsibility to be an outward expression of love and encourage others into a deeper understanding of their faith.
While such generosity can only be offered to some in limited ways because some crimes are so irreprehensible that such individuals are a threat to society but again I ask what was it that this man did that deserves such a punishment? It’s easy to desire God’s will until we come to the point that we are called to live out what it is God is calling us to do. As a gay man it sometimes becomes easy to center my thoughts on the hardships we have been burdened with, to allow myself to become a victim of an injustice that I never asked for. Yet I cannot help but look at the bigger picture here and realize what is going on around me is a familiar song that is sung in the hearts and lives of many of us, gay and straight. When I look at this young man I cannot help but hear his story cry out loudly of the many injustices in life. Christianity isn’t the crime. What he did does limit his ability to have a fruitful relationship with the Devine. That is why sin is so tragic to God because he desires intimacy with his beloved but how is it we are reaffirming His relationship of love when we sell Him out because we want to serve other gods. We aren’t concerned with what is right and wrong as much as we are concerned with our own tainted view of fairness which seems to be more inline with a singular view of life. Where is the hope we are offering this young man? Without hope he cannot have a foundation of faith and without faith he cannot achieve any growth as an individual. We need to believe in something and what have we left him with, is this fair? I’m left perplexed with what is justice…in a world that seem to believe that justice many times is left for those who are wealthy enough to afford expert legal advice. Is it justice to appeal a ruling that will in the end cause an excessive misuse of money, time and energy, as well as the possible destruction of an individual’s life?
2 comments:
While I agree the punishment does not fit the crime, it is a touchy issue that needs to balance responsibility for your actions with showing forgiveness and love - the same that we receive from God. Again, I agree that in this case, a prison sentence seems a bit much; however, if we do not have consequences for our actions, isn't that doing as much harm to our kids in teaching them that they don't have to think about what they are doing in the short or long term? While this case has yet to play out, it is sad as you mentioned that the wealthy do seem to have a "Golden Pass" through the legal system which certainly can't be a good example to the younger generations who are awashed in media and images of the rich and famous. But that's for another time maybe...
Student of Yoda
I see what you are getting at and agree in many ways but I have to admit that the administration of the law doesn’t just determine our rights according to the rules of the land but also the principles & ideas of right action. What he did at the time was against the law, that is a fact, but justice also involves truth and reason and as a Christian I am bound to a greater law than the restrictions of the human limitations place on us. We are bound by this law and for that reason alone if the punishment remains Wilson will have to stay in prison but this still does not in any way make what is happening justice. If a child is dismembered and decapitated by the act of abortion at this moment that is justice according to our culture but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this innocent child’s life was taken away and once more the dignity and equality of man is questioned placing one person’s life as more important than another and in the end challenges clearly the freedom of all. I know this example has little to do with Wilson but still shows that even though we have to respect the law governing us we do not however have to agree with it or call it justice.
I cannot help but firmly stand against this course of action. What he did was a mortal sin, no question on that, and it does sever his relationship with the Devine or at least severely limits it but what he did does not deserve such a harsh punishment by us. God continually challenges us to rise above our limitations and to grasp more clearly the divine picture and the role we play in our partnership we play in creation. Punishing this man is not in any way showing him God’s love. Not every criminal obviously can be set free as each offense determines a different course of action when it challenges the liberty and freedoms of others but when I look at a case like this and see a young man who may have to register as a sex offender and live out his life in condemnation in the remainder of this age for something he did that 3/4 of the rest of us have done…that’s not justice. Why are we so unforgiving and hardhearted. It’s not justice when the main criminal in truth is our culture which creates and influences our young. Sadly we can blame the Church for not teaching but you and I know the most important teacher is the family and we as people have done a poor job teaching the young of the beauty and dignity of our sexuality in the expression of every one’s personhood.
btw…you did realize the law was changed after his conviction as a result of the media attention it brought to the front line…however it was not made retro active for this man hence why the outcry from individuals such as former President Carter.
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