05/06/2003 Entry: ""
Posted by Maynard @ 10:57 AM MST
A Tale of Two Bills
Bill Bennett admitted to gambling over the weekend. Most of the press is making this out as a huge deal, but I don't see it like that, especially since it was in the news seven years ago. Rather, lets compare & contrast this news event with actual news involving another Bill.
Bill Clinton, according to
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/08/17/speech/
"Indeed I did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong."
Bill Bennett, according to
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/5791726.htm
"Nevertheless, I have done too much gambling, and this is not an example I wish to set, ... Therefore, my gambling days are over."
Notice a difference? There are two: first, the nature of the offense; second, the response to exposure.
Adultery is a sin, plain and simple. Gambling, although foolish, is not. Both are part of the private lives of the individuals in question, but the two offenses are viewed differently in society. Adultery is almost universally viewed as wrong, whereas gambling is treated with a relativistic measure. The sinful aspect of Gambling is open to debate, since the Bible (as far as I can remember, I'm open to correction) does not mention it specifically. However, It does say that one who doesn't provide for his own is worse than an unbeliever, so if gambling causes you to fail to provide necessities you shouldn't gamble. That, however, is not the case with Bennett.
Second, and more importantly, Clinton identifies that his sin was wrong, not him. Note the use of "it" instead of "I". Bennett notes that he has "done too much gambling", and that since he doesn't want to set this example, he is done gambling. The Bible identifies this distinction as Godly vs. Worldly sorrow.
I would rather praise someone who understands the need to repent than someone who identifies with the Bible's definition of lust.
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