ME Too loses one ∙∙

ME Too loses one ∙∙

If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. – Proverbs 26:27

Luke 6:36-39

 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

 37 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

 39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?”

Former Universal executive Josh Goldstine has recently emerged victorious in an arbitration case against NBCUniversal, securing approximately $20 million in damages. Goldstine was wrongly accused via the Me Too movement on Twitter, with no trial or chance to defend himself. Based solely on this accusation, he was terminated from his position at Universal Studios in 2018 for alleged “inappropriate conduct.”

Previously, Goldstine was marketing president at Universal, overseeing successful promotions for major films like “Jurassic World” and “The Mummy.” Following complaints received in early February 2018, film division president Donna Langley and chairman Jeff Shell cited credible concerns about Goldstine’s behavior. They said they had received detailed information, and “we believe both credible and indicative of an unacceptable climate.” Three weeks later, following an investigation, he was dismissed.

Goldstine was now “toxic” and faced difficulty securing employment; he was compelled by contractual obligations to undergo arbitration. In America, who would ever think that totally innocent people could be wrongfully accused, judged, and convicted without being permitted to make any defense or be able to face their accusers? We would have thought that those times ceased with the passing of the days of the Old West and unjustified lynching. But those are the times in which we are living.

The ordeal faced by Goldstine, his family, and friends underscores the nightmare and humiliation that can result from such situations. This scenario could easily occur to anyone. Now imagine it happening to you.

The presumption of innocence is one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system. This principle dictates that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, requiring the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In today’s complex societal landscape, various traps and pitfalls exist that can ensnare individuals and disrupt their lives. How many times has this already happened? While some accusations are undoubtedly valid, there are instances where vicious, malicious, controlling individuals exploit and harm innocents, particularly those who may be vulnerable or defenseless.

But there is an odd but marvelous thing about the Father’s justice. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it come back on him who starts it rolling (Proverbs 26:27).

REFLECT & PRAY

As instructed by our Heavenly Father, we are forbidden from bearing false witness. Malicious prosecution denotes a legal action initiated without proper grounds and with ulterior motives, like harassing the accused, damaging reputations, or wrongfully shifting blame away from the actual wrongdoer.

Father I pray that I will abstain from falsely accusing others or engaging in comparable wrongful actions. Please guide me, Father, to embody justice, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and a reluctance to pass hasty judgments.

INSIGHT

There is undeniable evidence of abuse of power by those in authoritative positions towards those under their care. The dynamic of the powerful coercing the vulnerable has persisted since the days of creation. However, it appears that America has deviated from its moral compass and lost its way, leaving behind its integrity.

What does the Mosaic law dictate concerning crimes in general and specifically addressing sexual abuse? The Mosaic law encompasses precise directives, including case law that extrapolates general principles from specific instances to guide us in matters not explicitly outlined.

Regarding serious crimes, accusations were mandated to be reported, but action was only to be taken if corroborated by two or three witnesses – a precaution against false allegations. Thorough investigations were required due to the potential for malicious intent and hidden agendas among witnesses.

If the accusation proved true, the guilty party faced punishment; conversely, if the accusation was false, the accuser received the penalty intended for the accused, who would be forgiven and go free. This dual approach aimed to cleanse society of wrongdoing and deter unwarranted accusations by instilling fear of consequences.

Deuteronomy 19:15-20

 15 You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

 16 If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime,

 17 then both the accuser and accused must appear before the LORD by coming to the priests and judges in office then.

 18 The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,

 19 you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you.

 20 Then, the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing.

In the scenario of an accusation of rape, the outcome varies based on the location of the incident. The prevailing assumption is that in cases of forced sexual assault, the victim would cry out for help. If the assault takes place in an urban setting, where her cries could be heard and aid provided, the response differs from a rural setting where assistance may not be readily available because she would not be heard.

In urban areas, if the woman purportedly did not cry out during the assault, indicating potential consent, both parties are subject to capital punishment by stoning.

Conversely, in rural settings where the woman’s outcry goes unheard, signaling non-consent, the man is held accountable and sentenced to death by stoning. In this circumstance, the woman is deemed innocent and released.

Deuteronomy 22:23-27

 23 Suppose a man meets a young woman, a virgin who is engaged to be married, and he has sexual intercourse with her. If this happens within a town,

 24 you must take both of them to the gates of that town and stone them to death. The woman is guilty because she did not scream for help. The man must die because he violated another man’s wife. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you.

 25 But if the man meets the engaged woman out in the country, and he rapes her, then only the man must die.

 26 Do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no crime worthy of death. She is as innocent as a murder victim.

 27 Since the man raped her out in the country, it must be assumed that she screamed, but there was no one to rescue her.

The tale of Tamar and Amnon presents a poignant narrative within David’s family. Amnon, David’s son, becomes infatuated with his half-sister, Tamar. Amnon falls hopelessly in love with Tamar. He is lovesick. With the manipulative support of Jonadab, his cunning cousin, a scheme is concocted that ultimately places Tamar in Amnon’s bedroom.

It is here that Amnon’s professed love culminates in an act of violence; he rapes Tamar. Immediately following this atrocious act, Amnon’s emotions shift dramatically from affection to aversion, leading him to scornfully dismiss Tamar. Consequently, Tamar faces a future marred by disgrace, deemed unfit for marriage due to the actions of her half-brother.

Upon discovering the injustice inflicted upon his sister, Absalom, Tamar’s full brother and another son of David, quietly plans his vengeance. In due time, he exacts this revenge by orchestrating the killing of Amnon. This act of fratricide forces Absalom into exile to escape retribution (2 Samuel 13:1-29). The family is never the same again. Absalom becomes his father’s enemy. Consequently, the fabric of their family dynamic is irrevocably changed.

Act prudently in the face of false accusations. Beware of hidden agendas.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 2-22-2

© Dr. H 2024