Drawing a line with trial coverage

People of faith have no more expertise than, and opinions across as

wide a continuum as, others on this. For some of us, simply calling

it a “gang-rape” case is too graphic. All media seems to be full of

graphic violence and sex these days, and I think I know why: It’s

what we, the public, want! Isn’t it? If it is not, we must

responsibly make our perspectives known to our media, not

anonymously; and media representatives should respond. I hope and

trust that the Daily Pilot has replied personally to those who have

given it “some heat,” as Tony Dodero did publicly in his column.

I have not followed the Haidl-Spann-Nachreiner-

“Jane Doe” case closely. Deepa Bharath’s Aug. 7 report was

factually graphic, but I don’t think it crossed “moral lines.” It

seems to me that she might well favor a restorative, not retributive,

approach to the criminal justice system, which is a Christian

standard. I am focused on Christian faith, the center of which is the

passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. I know of no more

graphic violence that Christ crucified, graphically reported in Holy

Scripture. I believe there is no more wonderful reality than Jesus’

resurrection, shown in the witness of present-day disciples to the

transforming power of God’s grace.

THE VERY REV’D CANON

PETER D. HAYNES

St. Michael & All

Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

In his book “The Lost Cosmos,” Walker Percy asks why “the self,

though it professes to be loving and caring, to prefer peace to war,

concord to discord, life to death; to wish other selves well, not

ill, in fact secretly relishes wars and rumors of wars, news of plane

crashes, assassinations, mass murders, obituaries, to say nothing of

local acquaintances dropping dead in the streets, gossip about

neighbors getting in fights or being detected in sexual scandals,

embezzlements and other disgraces?”

Indeed, many take perverse pleasure in discovering that leaders,

or their family circle, may have failed to measure up to their public

persona. As much as we need to put people on pedestals, we enjoy

knocking them off their perches. Readers of the Bible are delighted

to learn that King David, who had achieved every worldly success, was

betrayed by his son Absalom. We are comforted by the fact that even

the most privileged parents do not escape heartbreak in the deeds of

their children. This somehow makes our home situation more palatable.

The story under consideration has been writ large, owing to the

leadership position of the father of one of the accused. The

combination of sex and a law enforcement officer’s family makes it

irresistible to publish accounts highlighting the perversity and

featuring every lurid detail. What is most salacious is most

delicious!

Here is the human tendency to gloat over the misdeeds and

misfortunes of others. When bad things happen to people, or they

engage in shocking behavior, there is no lack of those disposed to

rejoice over their fall. We find satisfaction in the suffering of

others, because it makes us feel better about ourselves.

People magazine once reported on an Apology Sound Off Line in Los

Angeles, a 900 number that people could call to unburden their guilt

feelings and confess their sins for $2 per minute. Three to five

hundred people called each day to confess anonymously and seek relief

for their thoughts of shame and remorse. What was even more

fascinating was that people could call another 900 number to listen

to other people’s confessions. That one received 5,000 to 8,000 calls

per day!

The Bible teaches that the children will not suffer for the sins

of their parents. Assistant Sheriff Haidl is learning that, if you

are employed in certain professions, the parents suffer in the

pitiless glare of the media for the sins of their children.

RABBI MARK S. MILLER

Temple Bat Yam

Newport Beach

One in five women in the United States is the victim of rape or

attempted rape, according to Department of Justice crime statistics

for 2001. Besides the Haidl trial, news in the past few weeks

includes updates on the Kobe Bryant rape case; reports of a prominent

USC scientist accused of molesting his tae kwon do student from the

time she was 10 to 14 years of age; follow-up on the release from

prison of the teacher who had sex with her sixth-grade student; and

the first bankruptcy of a Roman Catholic diocese as a result of the

sexual abuse of minors by priests.

Rape, incest, pedophilia, international sex tourism (the “new

slavery” of women and children forced into prostitution), sex

addictions, sexual harassment, homophobia and sexual abuse by clergy,

doctors, therapists and teachers make for a long list of people

suffering as a result of crimes involving sex and violence.

When rape is alleged, the details are relevant since the outcome

so often turns on the circumstances and the credibility of the

parties, especially if consent is a defense. I suspect more young

people would see coverage about rape cases on television than in a

newspaper or magazine. And I think it is well understood that public

figures responsible for community welfare will be subject to more

scrutiny than private citizens, and that this will extend to their

families and associates.

It is not easy for people in our culture to experience their

sexuality in a healthy, comfortable and joyful way. All around us we

see examples of sex used to sell products; sex presented for sport,

entertainment or selfish gratification; sex used to gain status and

power -- and sex used for violence and sadism. I believe churches,

temples and synagogues should do as much as possible to promote a

better understanding of ethical conduct as it applies to sexuality

and to provide resources and support for those who may be victims or

perpetrators of sexual abuse. This might include such activities as

sermons, homilies or formal talks on these specific topics, as well

as educational programs, guest speakers, discussion or support groups

and financial assistance.

Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh invites us to acknowledge

the pain we cause, as well as the suffering we endure, and to

experience the oneness of our lives: “I am the 12-year-old girl,

refugee on a small boat, who throws herself into the ocean after

being raped by a sea pirate. I am also the pirate, my heart not yet

capable of seeing and loving ... Please call me by my correct names

so that the door of my heart may be left open, the door of

compassion.”

REV. DR.

DEBORAH BARRETT

Zen Center of

Orange County

Costa Mesa