March 10, 2015

• An Open Letter

  Dear Justin Harris,

  

  I am not giving you the title of “Rep.” Harris because I’m pretty sure by this point most of the citizens of Washington County, Arkansas would like to “rehome” you to Oklahoma.

  Everything I’ve read about your situation boils down to the simple fact that you, your wife, and presumably your three sturdy looking boys were terrified of a six-year-old little girl. (From the timeline of events, it appears she was actually only five at the time, but I’m willing to give you that extra year if it makes you feel better about yourself.) Or maybe you were really terrified of the bad publicity of an elected state official, on committees dealing with the welfare and education of children, returning two tiny little girls like we used to return empty Coke bottles to the gas station back in the 60s.

  Here’s one of the things that bothers me most about this debacle; when you adopt a child, you are her parent. Not her “adoptive” parent, just her parent. And she is not your “adopted” daughter, just your daughter. And when your child has a serious problem, it is the responsibility of the parent to move heaven and earth to fix it and keep on loving her regardless of anything and everything. Had one of your sons developed emotional problems and disruptive behavior, would you have given him away? Do you think for one second that your sons haven’t wondered the same thing? You have set them such a sterling example of love and responsibility.

  Here’s another thing that bugs me. When this story broke a few days ago, you were quick to throw Bible quotes at reporters seeking a statement from you. Quotes about persecution. Poor, poor Justin Harris can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Guess what? That Bible you like to quote has a thing or two to say about adoption.

  “ Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12

   Here's another one:

   ^“14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16

  So, you are an adopted child of God who has behaved reprehensibly, blaming everyone else for your poor decisions, which resulted in the sexual assault of a kindergarten-aged child. More than that, until the internet backlash, you stated that you and your wife were the victims in all of this. You’ve been such a naughty, unrepentant adopted child of God. Do you think He will rehome you? You do realize that Protestant fundamentalist Christian theology only leaves one option if that happens. Oh, I forgot! Protestant fundamentalist Christians don’t believe in rehoming. Because…

  “²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.” John 10:28-30

  Okay, just one more Bible quote and then I’m done with you.

  “ It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2

  I’m going to give you a nickel’s worth of free advice, and I’m going to do it in one word: Repent. Not that I’m judging.

  Okay, maybe a little.

  Okay, maybe a lot.

  I’ll do my own repenting just as soon as I post this letter to the internet.

   

  • 9:59 pm
  • 4 Comments