Methodists tell us about the Ethics of saying 'I'm Sorry'--the apology both public and private... by Peter Menkin
by Peter Menkin
In a report on ethics of apology, United Methodist News Service (UMNS) examines sincerity and authenticity, two components lacking in our American sense of public apology. Public apology consists of thin, self-serving, and manipulative purposes according to three noted Methodist ethicists.
“I worry that apologies have grow to be methods for diminishing the consequences of behaviors that are destructive and damaging,” mentioned Bishop Kenneth Carder, professor of the practice of Christian ministry at United Methodist-associated Duke Divinity School.
Methodist writer Linda Green notes:
Latest apologies in the news came from Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez, who apologized for employing steroids Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, who apologized for smoking marijuana The New York Post, which apologized for but defended a cartoon with racist pictures and former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, who apologized for not paying taxes that he owed.
“When apologies are deeply rooted in confession, contrition, a recognition of the harm that one particular has performed and one’s implication in the hurt of other individuals-- in the context of genuine repentance and confession with a aim of restoration of integrity, restoration of relationships and restitution for damage done, then apologies have depth,” Carder declared.
