IN THEORY: On forgiveness for Jane

Last week, Jane Fonda visited Glendale to sign her new book, “My Life So Far.”

The visit reignited a debate over her criticism in the 1970s of the Vietnam War and over images of her with North Vietnamese soldiers.

Some still feel she is a traitor for appearing in photographs with the North Vietnamese and for speaking out against the war. Fonda says she regrets the photograph, depicting her sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun. But she doesn’t apologize for her very public opposition to the war.

Was it morally wrong for Fonda to make that visit to North Vietnam during war time and speak out as she did? Or, is there something morally questionable in still believing she is a traitor?

Poor Jane Fonda. She was a used young woman. She suffered much: the death of her mother at an early age, eating disorders, three failed marriages, addiction to medication and was used by the communists to further their cause. In 1972 she went to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and regrets being photographed sitting on an enemy anti-aircraft gun but does not seem to regret going on an enemy radio to spew out their propaganda, earning the name Hanoi Jane. She, like Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally — Americans who went on enemy radio to encourage our boys to desert, were traitors. Technically she, unlike the other two, avoided the crime of treason because we had not formally declared war against Vietnam.

Whether Jane Fonda was morally wrong only God can judge, but objectively speaking, she did grave damage to our prisoners of war who were tortured by the Viet Cong. When these prisoners came home and testified to that fact, she said they were liars, deceived by their own racial bigotry. I pray that Fonda has come to realize that communism is not the way to build the earthly city but that Jesus is, as he said, “the way, the truth and the life”.

THE REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Glendale

Our blessed country guarantees every citizen the right to voice their opinion. At the same time, common sense — and U.S. law — require that we guarantee this value by not undermining our nation and its armed forces during time of war.

Jane Fonda clearly had a right to speak out against the Vietnam War and voice her displeasure at what she deemed an unjust conflict. Had she stated that she felt the United States had no business getting militarily involved in far-off Vietnam, that might be understandable.

But her meeting with the ruthless Vietnamese dictators who eventually massacred millions of innocents is simply unforgivable.

Jane Fonda’s visit to Hanoi and her jovial meeting with the North Vietnamese high command was tantamount to aiding and abetting the enemy during time of war. The propaganda generated by her visit surely boosted the morale of the enemy’s troops. I wonder how many American lives were subsequently lost as a result? For the families who lost loved ones in Vietnam, the idea that she now regrets her visit may be small consolation.

People in the public eye — be they actors, politicians or clergy — have a unique responsibility and must be very careful with their words.

They must be even more careful with their actions, for the results may be irreversible.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

Half a lifetime ago, Jane Fonda lost respect with millions of Americans for cozying up to our nation’s enemies, the atheist-communist North Vietnamese. Half a lifetime later she lost repose with her billionaire husband for embracing theistic-Christian religious faith. It’s been said that if you’re not liberal when you’re younger, you have no heart. If you’re liberal when you’re older, you have no head. There does appear to have been some major transition in this woman’s life, but only she and God knows how much, and she’s still no maven of conservatism.

Fonda has repented of her treasonous indiscretion during the war, saying “It was the most horrible thing I could possibly have done. It was just thoughtless.” She admitted her methods were wrong, but weakly assured “I was trying to help end the killing.”

She still maintains opposition to the war, and everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but it’s the veteran families of America who will most have to find forgiveness in their hearts for “Hanoi” Jane, whose views were acted out in ways harmful particular to them.

While it was treachery to conspire with the enemy against the efforts of the nation that actually provided her free expression, it nevertheless fails to be the unpardonable sin. If Jane has indeed made peace with God through Jesus Christ, she is already forgiven, and there will be soldiers who will greet her in heaven with open arms.

Faith in country is great. Faith in God is greatest, and it’s eternal treason against Heaven to disregard Jesus Christ and oppose his spiritual-war effort. Patriot or no, all must be on the right side of God come the judgment, or they will be tried and found guilty.

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” (Lord’s Prayer).

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Senior Pastor

MontroseCommunityChurch.org

Of course, Jane Fonda should be forgiven for her actions during the Vietnam War. Didn’t Jesus Christ tell us that we should forgive in dozens of his remarks in the Gospels?

On one occasion he said we should forgive 70 times seven (an infinite number to Jesus, apparently). Fonda has expressed regret that she posed with North Vietnamese soldiers at the site of an anti-aircraft battery. She has not expressed regret that she opposed the war, nor should she be expected to do so. Millions of Americans opposed that war.

Anyone who is in a state of unforgiveness for any purpose is simply hurting himself or herself. It is akin to carrying around a sack of rocks weighing about 50 pounds. Unforgiveness is a very heavy burden and unforgiveness is not something that anyone should embrace.

This is not to say that Fonda’s actions of seeming to give aid and comfort to the enemy should be forgotten. Forgetting is a brain process; forgiveness is a spiritual process. There is a huge difference between the two.

THE REV. THOMAS E. WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

God wants us to speak out for what we believe is true. Whatever the cause, we should speak in love for the benefit of those who hear us. Whether or not you agreed with Jane Fonda’s opinion of the war in Vietnam, she had the right to speak her mind. She will give account to God if she spoke in a careless manner. So will we all give account for our words.

But God also wants us to be faithful to each other, to our families and to our nation. Jane Fonda’s visit to North Vietnam violated this obligation to fellow Americans, especially to the men who were being killed by the very people she chose to visit.

One last biblical principle. “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3). Apparently Fonda has received the public rebuke for her treacherous visit. So let’s forgive her and get on with life.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Burbank