{"id":573,"date":"2013-01-20T17:49:03","date_gmt":"2013-01-20T22:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/truthsyoucanuse\/?p=573"},"modified":"2013-01-20T17:49:03","modified_gmt":"2013-01-20T22:49:03","slug":"can-oprah-absolve-you-of-your-sins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/truthsyoucanuse\/2013\/01\/can-oprah-absolve-you-of-your-sins.html","title":{"rendered":"Can Oprah Absolve You of Your Sins?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Lance Armstrong’s confession to Oprah Winfrey has left many people wondering. Was it genuine? Why did he wait so long? Can those he hurt forgive him? Will he ever compete again?<\/p>\n

Each of us probably has differing responses to these questions. As a member of the clergy, what interests me is two-fold. Why did Lance Armstrong decide to confess publicly to Opera Winfrey? And , assuming he is genuine, can those he hurt forgive him?<\/p>\n

Choosing Oprah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lance Armstrong was very wise to decide to make his public confession to Oprah. She represents a peculiarly American kind of secular religion, where people can try to find forgiveness and work through pain and sorrow. She is kind and understanding, but not obsequious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a way, Oprah acts as a corrective to what is often wrong with religion in America today. So often we focus on the fire and brimstone message of religion. What must you believe? Are you saved or not? What did you do to deserve your suffering?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oprah’s message is more hopeful. She includes rather than excludes, and seeks to understand rather than condemn. She offers encouragement rather than blame. Without watering down our faith, we pastors, priests and rabbis need to do the same thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust Comes Before Forgiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then question of forgiveness is more complicated. Both Christianity and Judaism teach forgiveness. It is a religious duty and helps build a more dignified and godly world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It also takes time. And it takes an acceptance of responsibility. What makes it difficult for many to forgive Armstrong is that he denied the doping charges so vociferously and for so long!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding forgiveness begins with regaining trust. People need to trust\u00a0<\/span>Lance Armstrong; trust that he has changed, and trust that his remorse is genuine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He is an extraordinary man with a lot to give. Will he have the character to do so? I pray that he does, but the jury is still out.<\/span><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Evan Moffic<\/a><\/p>\n

GET YOUR FREE EBOOK: HOW TO FORGIVE EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lance Armstrong’s confession to Oprah Winfrey has left many people wondering. Was it genuine? Why did he wait so long? Can those he hurt forgive him? Will he ever compete again? Each of us probably has differing responses to these questions. As a member of the clergy, what interests me is two-fold. 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His book, What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Jewishness of Jesus was a 2015 best-seller. His upcoming book of devotions\u2014Shalom for the Heart\u2014takes short biblical passages and show they way they can help us make better choices and live with fewer regrets. With Rabbi Moffic, you will find an open, accessible guide to life\u2019s deepest truths. A husband and father, he graduated from Stanford University in 2000, and was ordained a rabbi in 2006. He leads a congregation in suburban Chicago. 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