Published today in the Columbus Dispatch
WWJD? He’d forgive Bono’s foul language
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
As a response to letter writer Miles Larrick’s recent critique of rock star Bono’s use of profanity, I would encourage him to do a little research.
In the book Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas, Bono addresses his lifestyle and his faith. He describes his faith as moving "out of the realm of karma and into one of grace." He continues with: "You see at the center of all the religions is the idea of karma. And yet, along comes this idea called grace to upend all that. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff. . . . I’d be in big trouble if karma was finally going to be my judge. . . . It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity."
Bono does not make excuses for his shortcomings as a Christian, but he understands the very essence of Christian faith: grace. When Christians zero in on each other’s "works," we become the very people Christ spoke against in his rebuke of fundamentalist religious leaders (Matthew 23:27). By dismissing the work of a great humanitarian and Christian, we forget what was in the center of Christ’s heart when he said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
LISA HO
Assistant chaplain of Christian ministries
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware
