Have you ever done something you wish you hadn’t, then thought it would weigh you down forever? There are always repercussions for the decisions we make. Sometimes we wished we’d never made them. But there have been times when we were given a ‘second chance’, forgiven and allowed to move forward as if nothing had happened.
We say about offenders ‘Do the crime, do the time’ but then what? As a community are we taken by surprise when prisoners enter society? Do we accept that serving time is enough? They’ve paid their debt haven’t they? Do we extend to them the chance to change? Do we think they are worthy now of a new life and a fresh start? If not, why not? If our attitude towards them is shame, humiliation and making obstacles then we don’t believe in ‘second chances’.
While it may irritate and upset some, the law still says we are ‘innocent till proven guilty’. This applies to everyone. If it is for some and not others then double standards apply. While there can be rumours and innuendos around what someone has said or heard, it is still a matter of principal that until it is proven guilty, we can’t presume or act like they are guilty – even if we\’re right.
Everyone is entitled to their ‘day in Court’ and one day that might apply to us. If we want a ‘second chance’ then we need to give a ‘second chance’. This does not mean we have to trust the offender, but we do need to forgive just like we want to be forgiven.