The media grownups exploiting Levi Johnston are doing a bad thing.
When I was growing up and making some pretty big mistakes, there were grownups who took me aside and told me not to be a fool. They had mercy on me and showed me a better way to live. They certainly did not play on my sinful desires to make money.
Where are the grownups in the life of Levi Johnston? He is the father of Sarah Palin’s first grandchild. By unhappy chance, his bad behavior became national news. He is nineteen and media outlets run by people much older than he is are exploiting and using his pain for all they are worth.
I know Levi is a legal adult. He is responsible for his own career harming actions like posing for Playgirl. He is responsible for his own sin, but that does not justify the “grownups” in the media for not only allowing him to destroy himself, but egging him on. Isn’t it sick to give this chap interviews and encourage him to behave in foolish ways?
The weirdest thing (as I know all too well) is that the people he would think harsh, telling him to “Repent!” are the ones acting in his best interest. The ones placating him and praising him are the people using and destroying him. It is ever thus.
I pity this young man, hope he can find a college (after he earns a high school diploma) where people will mentor him, and that he gets a second chance. Thank God for Jesus Christ and the possibility of redemption and mercy!
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
