“In rejecting both the founders and the Jewish and Christian perspective that underlie them, the (leftist) radicals also turn from the biblical vision of justice to a secular view of justice as all-out-power-based confrontation. Whereas the former requires repentance, which requires an acknowledgement of both wrongs and responsibility, and then work for reconciliation and restoration, the later aims ONLY for redress and reparation that can be little more than revenge. The result of this shift is turning America into the land of vengeance. Victims, who in turn seek fiercer vengeance that produces more victims. And so it goes, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, murder for murder, and massacre for massacre.” - Oz Guinness
I don’t believe that you can repent for the sins of your ancestors, but you can certainly acknowledge the results of their bad choices and work to repair it and build a better future. You can acknowledge the national historic evils perpetrated against slaves, Indians, women, and other poor immigrants and strive for moral improvement. Many minority groups have been abused and had their unalienable rights squelched to one degree or another and are rightly angry about it. As Christians we must confront the issues with loving action. Not hand out money, but vote and innovate new community programs that invest our time and money in lifting up, educating, and employing underserved communities. People made in the image of God. There will never be a "fair and equitable" human settlement for past sins, and the poor will always be with us, but we can continue to love our enemies and love our neighbor as ourself. That’s not a bad place to start.
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