This morning scrolled through X and it left a bad taste in my mouth. So many posts openly hoping that Karmelo Anthony gets sexually assaulted in prison—graphic, gleeful stuff. What shocked me most was seeing people who claim to be Christians joining in or cheering it on. I couldn’t stay quiet. Posted that I find it disturbing for anyone, especially professing believers, to wish that kind of evil on another human being. The replies that came back were even worse—more detailed fantasies about his suffering, laced with mockery.
It’s one thing to believe someone deserves punishment for their crimes. It’s another to revel in the idea of them being raped or tortured. That’s not justice; that’s bloodlust dressed up as righteousness.
I keep thinking: What would Jesus say to them?
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Jesus didn’t soften the reality of sin or judgment—He called out evil plainly—but He consistently elevated mercy, repentance, and the dignity of every person made in God’s image. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He stopped a mob from stoning a woman caught in adultery. Even on the cross, He prayed for the people crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
I don’t know Karmelo Anthony’s full story or what justice ultimately looks like in his case. But I do know that celebrating the violation of another human being—even one who has done terrible things—hardens the heart. It makes us smaller, not holier. The same God who judges the wicked also commands us not to become like them in spirit.
Even more grateful for the reminder that following Christ means refusing to let the world’s hatred shape my own responses. Praying for a softer heart in myself and for real justice tempered with the kind of mercy I know I’ll need one day too. #christianity #karmeloanthony #austinmetcalf
This morning scrolled through X and it left a bad taste in my mouth. So many posts openly hoping that Karmelo Anthony gets sexually assaulted in prison—graphic, gleeful stuff. What shocked me most was seeing people who claim to be Christians joining in or cheering it on. I couldn’t stay quiet. Posted that I find it disturbing for anyone, especially professing believers, to wish that kind of evil on another human being. The replies that came back were even worse—more detailed fantasies about his suffering, laced with mockery.
It’s one thing to believe someone deserves punishment for their crimes. It’s another to revel in the idea of them being raped or tortured. That’s not justice; that’s bloodlust dressed up as righteousness.
I keep thinking: What would Jesus say to them?
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Jesus didn’t soften the reality of sin or judgment—He called out evil plainly—but He consistently elevated mercy, repentance, and the dignity of every person made in God’s image. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He stopped a mob from stoning a woman caught in adultery. Even on the cross, He prayed for the people crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
I don’t know Karmelo Anthony’s full story or what justice ultimately looks like in his case. But I do know that celebrating the violation of another human being—even one who has done terrible things—hardens the heart. It makes us smaller, not holier. The same God who judges the wicked also commands us not to become like them in spirit.
Even more grateful for the reminder that following Christ means refusing to let the world’s hatred shape my own responses. Praying for a softer heart in myself and for real justice tempered with the kind of mercy I know I’ll need one day too. #christianity #karmeloanthony #austinmetcalf
This morning scrolled through X and it left a bad taste in my mouth. So many posts openly hoping that Karmelo Anthony gets sexually assaulted in prison—graphic, gleeful stuff. What shocked me most was seeing people who claim to be Christians joining in or cheering it on. I couldn’t stay quiet. Posted that I find it disturbing for anyone, especially professing believers, to wish that kind of evil on another human being. The replies that came back were even worse—more detailed fantasies about his suffering, laced with mockery.
It’s one thing to believe someone deserves punishment for their crimes. It’s another to revel in the idea of them being raped or tortured. That’s not justice; that’s bloodlust dressed up as righteousness.
I keep thinking: What would Jesus say to them?
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Jesus didn’t soften the reality of sin or judgment—He called out evil plainly—but He consistently elevated mercy, repentance, and the dignity of every person made in God’s image. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He stopped a mob from stoning a woman caught in adultery. Even on the cross, He prayed for the people crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
I don’t know Karmelo Anthony’s full story or what justice ultimately looks like in his case. But I do know that celebrating the violation of another human being—even one who has done terrible things—hardens the heart. It makes us smaller, not holier. The same God who judges the wicked also commands us not to become like them in spirit.
Even more grateful for the reminder that following Christ means refusing to let the world’s hatred shape my own responses. Praying for a softer heart in myself and for real justice tempered with the kind of mercy I know I’ll need one day too. #christianity #karmeloanthony #austinmetcalf
This morning scrolled through X and it left a bad taste in my mouth. So many posts openly hoping that Karmelo Anthony gets sexually assaulted in prison—graphic, gleeful stuff. What shocked me most was seeing people who claim to be Christians joining in or cheering it on. I couldn’t stay quiet. Posted that I find it disturbing for anyone, especially professing believers, to wish that kind of evil on another human being. The replies that came back were even worse—more detailed fantasies about his suffering, laced with mockery.
It’s one thing to believe someone deserves punishment for their crimes. It’s another to revel in the idea of them being raped or tortured. That’s not justice; that’s bloodlust dressed up as righteousness.
I keep thinking: What would Jesus say to them?
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Jesus didn’t soften the reality of sin or judgment—He called out evil plainly—but He consistently elevated mercy, repentance, and the dignity of every person made in God’s image. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He stopped a mob from stoning a woman caught in adultery. Even on the cross, He prayed for the people crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
I don’t know Karmelo Anthony’s full story or what justice ultimately looks like in his case. But I do know that celebrating the violation of another human being—even one who has done terrible things—hardens the heart. It makes us smaller, not holier. The same God who judges the wicked also commands us not to become like them in spirit.
Even more grateful for the reminder that following Christ means refusing to let the world’s hatred shape my own responses. Praying for a softer heart in myself and for real justice tempered with the kind of mercy I know I’ll need one day too. #christianity #karmeloanthony #austinmetcalf
@trumpsflag@MaryAnnreports Forgiveness and justice are different things. If someone commits rape and the victim forgives the rapist, it doesn’t mean he gets to go free. The government has a responsibility to protect others from being raped.