The College Fix

The news media and nation’s reaction to retired Army Gen. David Petraeus’ infidelities illustrates America’s backward priorities and corrupt moral climate, according to Rubel Shelly, a philosophy and religion professor and president of Rochester College, a Christian liberal arts college in Michigan.

The fact that Petraeus did the right thing and resigned has him acting more upright than his would-be defenders, Shelly argues.

… The moral atmosphere of our time is terribly polluted. An ongoing poll in the Los Angeles Times asked if an affair should cost someone his career. When I checked the numbers, 75 percent said it should not. Of course they did! Movie stars, athletes, clergy, politicians — countless examples can be cited where careers soared even with their infidelities a matter of public record.

Some reports say President Obama asked Petraeus to reconsider his resignation. To quote The New York Times again, a “jaundiced Washington” just might have accepted it.

We humans care far too much about our cars and hair, image and options; on the other hand, we can evidence far too little concern about our families and commitments, character and destinies. Something is terribly, terribly wrong with that reality! And this episode has the wrongdoer acting more honorably in some ways than those of us who have heard and reacted to the report.

While praying for the Petraeuses, perhaps all of us should be more aware of our shared identity as sinful people who are vulnerable to temptation.

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

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