On the spiritual struggles and penance of Mark Sanford
“The Procession of Flagellants,” by Goya
There’s something passionately sincere, in a way even admirable, in Mark Sanford’s otherwise odd behavior in recent days. You might say he’s getting downright medieval on himself.
The South Carolina governor suggested the other day that staying in office and exposing himself to harsh attacks and criticisms is a form of penance for his sins, and I think he honestly believes that. The idea gives him hope that through such pain he can somehow be forgiven for mistakes that clearly weigh on him very heavily. In a letter to supporters, he explained a couple of days ago that he was staying as governor because he might become “a better person and of more service in whatever doors God opened next in life if I stuck around to learn lessons rather than running and hiding down at the farm.”
In effect, Sanford is using the media like a Christian flagellant would use a whip, as an instrument to punish himself for his sins. Thus his bizarre confession to AP reporters that he had also “crossed the lines” with other women, although not to the point of adultery. He feels the pain of his sin deeply, and he wants to be punished for it. He wants the pain and agony to purge him of the love that he confesses to still feel for the other woman in Argentina. He still calls her his soulmate, even as he insists on his desire to patch things up with his wife.
Sanford has also compared his predicament to the biblical example of King David, who fell in love with another man’s wife and even arranged to have the man die in battle so that he could be with Bathsheba. In that story, David is rebuked by the prophet Nathan for his sin, and told that as punishment God would take the child born of he and Bathsheba.
As the Bible tells it, the child then took ill, and for a week David prayed and fasted and lay upon the earth and refused to rise, hoping that his prayers and self-abasement would appease God. After the child died anyway, his servants feared to tell David, worried about what he might do to himself next.
But to their surprise, upon learning the news, David arose, put on fresh clothes and sat and ate. The Lord had exacted his price, and David, relieved to have been forgiven, resumed his business as king. He fathered another child with Bathsheba — Solomon — and went out to conquer the people of neighboring Ammon. (The Bible says he “put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon.”)
I suspect that’s the process that Sanford is hoping to experience. He can’t leave office voluntarily; if he is to get right with the Lord, the office must be taken from him.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it is all very strange. But I also don’t think it’s posturing, false or calculated. What we’re seeing is an honest spiritual struggle. I think where Sanford gets it wrong, even in the context of spiritual redemption, is that it’s still all about him. He has chosen a path that he hopes will lead to his personal redemption, but he is doing so regardless of the price it might exact from his family, his state, his political supporters and the causes they backed together. It is an act of selfishness, of putting himself before others, which in a way was also his sin with the Argentinian.
Sorry for the diversion into non-political matters; I just find this interesting on a very human level.
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141 comments Add your comment
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:26 am
This is hilarious:
God is My Doorman: Mark Sanford for Non-Christians
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/god-is-my-doorman-mark-sa_b_223472.html
One thing Mark Sanford isn’t doing is resigning. Why? Because God Himself wants Mark Sanford to stay on as Governor of South Carolina. Just ask Mark Sanford:
“Immediately after all this unfolded last week I had thought I would resign – as I believe in the military model of leadership and when trust of any form is broken one lays down the sword. A long list of close friends have suggested otherwise – that for God to really work in my life I shouldn’t be getting off so lightly.” — Mark Sanford
And if anyone knows about getting off, it’s Mark Sanford.
But more importantly, the Almighty insists that Mark Sanford stay in office. South Carolina is his punishment. Like when Job got boils.
And the citizens get to help God help Mark Sanford be a better man. Which I think we can all agree is what public service is all about.
“While it would be personally easier to exit stage left, their point has been that my larger sin was the sin of pride.” — Mark Sanford
That and years and years of adultery. But mostly pride.
Here’s what I always thought I kind of missed out on as a Catholic, instead of whatever horseshit Mark Sanford practices: Self-diagnosis. When it came to sin, we didn’t get to call our own balls and strikes like that.
Northern Songs, Ltd.
July 1st, 2009
9:28 am
With all that’s going on, THIS is the best you can do? give it a rest already.
Peadawg
July 1st, 2009
9:28 am
Let the democrats called republicans hypocrites in 3, 2, 1
RW-(the original)
July 1st, 2009
9:29 am
We now return you to your regular programming.
Open thread?
Lord Help Us
July 1st, 2009
9:29 am
I give less credit to Sanford’s awkward sincerity than Jay.
Sanford is a serial betrayer of his wife, sons and marriage vows. That he confesses only to the carnal act with one of these women may or may not be true, but, make no mistake, this was/is an alley cat on the prowl.
If the Argentinian lady was not his ’soulmate’ he would have kept looking…
I see no sincerity in his bizarre behavior, only attempts to muddy the water and flail around for some type of justification.
getalife
July 1st, 2009
9:30 am
The hypocrite is deflecting from his breach of the public trust as governor.
If he is not man enough to resign, he should be impeached.
Torture report due out today again.
Probably wait until Friday or not at all.
Conservatism leads to paranoia
July 1st, 2009
9:33 am
The more I hear from Sanford the more I wonder how he became the Governor of anything. He needs to shut his mouth and fade into the sunset. He can join Newt and Rush and the other crusaders for family values.This guy is weird.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
9:35 am
I’m sorry for the Governors spiritual torment, I really am.
He should resign, not because he can’t keep his pants on or apparently his hands to himself – but because he is guilty of dereliction of duty.
Please Mark, flagellate privately.
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
9:36 am
Getalife, should Clinton have resigned too?
Redneck Convert
July 1st, 2009
9:37 am
Well, it’s a great day in GA. A new law starts today that allows godly people to adopt test tube babys while they’re still in the tube. I expect to see lots of blue or pink balloons on mailboxes. And alot of proud parents will be taking their embryo in a little freezer out for a stroll and trading peeks with others and maybe bragging a little bit. I reckon the only down side is, in a year or so the courts will be clogged up with Mommies trying to get Embryo Support. But that’s OK, I say the Daddy had all the fun, so he should be the one paying up. All in all though, I’d say we’re on the right path down here. We got to Protect the Unborn. Long as they don’t expect me to pay taxes to support kids that are already born, I’d say we’re doing the right thing.
Which brings me to another problem. I heard on Fox News the kids this Michael Jackson had ain’t from his sperm and the eggs ain’t from their Mommy. This needs to be outlawed pronto. Some day somebody else is going to back out of supporting a bunch of kids and say DNA proves they ain’t his. And the Mommy will say DNA proves they ain’t hers. And us taxpayers will be stuck with the bill to pay for the kids. We need a law that lets us track down the real Daddy and make him pay up before we get stuck with a tax increase. Maybe if we get that law we can say to a sperm donor, Better get your hand off of that thing if you don’t want to pay big-time some day.
Anyhow, you can tell I got alot on my mind this a.m. All I can say about this Sanford guy is he don’t know squat about women. If he thinks his wife is going to think kindly of him after he called the woman he cheated with his soul mate he needs to go back to 2nd grade and learn life all over again. If you’re going to get along with your wife you got to act and talk like no other woman can hold a candle to your wife and you wouldn’t even think about cheating. And if some good-looking woman passes by while you’re with your wife you got to look out of the corner of your eye and act like you ain’t noticed nothing. And whatever you do, if your wife asks you if she looks fat, you got to lie like a tired out dog and say she’s a little skinny. It’s kind of strange this politican ain’t learned to lie better than he does. No wonder his marriage is in trouble.
Have a good day everybody.
jt
July 1st, 2009
9:37 am
If Governor Sanford is going back to Ms. Sanford, he might as well take a vow of celibacy too.
That won’t be healthy.
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
9:37 am
Same question for you Mrs G.
clyde
July 1st, 2009
9:38 am
This guy is a piece of work the like of which we won’t see again until some preacher gets caught stealing money from the flock.He sincerely hated being caught,and he ’s not going to give up being Governor because of it.He likes the job too well.
Speaking of jobs,Michael Vick quit his construction job to work with children in boys and girls clubs.That’s just what children need to be exposed to,A thug with felony convictions.Someone is brain dead here.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:39 am
He wouldn’t even think of paying back the State of SC for his trip if he hadn’t gotten caught.
How do you know he’s a witch?
Um…He’s got a big nose!
No, It’s a mask.
Doesn’t matter…burn him anyway! Yeah, buuuurn him!
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 1st, 2009
9:39 am
In effect, Sanford is using the media like a Christian flagellant would use a whip, as an instrument to punish himself for his sins.
Your choices (and remember, death is not an option.)
A governor beating himself up in penance to his perceived sins or a president beating us up over his perceived sins, i.e. global warming and health care.
What do you know, Republicans win again, hahahaha, eewwww.
rightofcenter
July 1st, 2009
9:41 am
Jay,
I think you have hit it spot on. It is obvious that he has given up any hope of political redemption – and is in fact doing everything to eliminate even the slightest microscopic chance of it. While it is bizarre, I must say I prefer it to the typical pols attempt to downplay it, distort the truth, and change the subject. However, it is still all about him, much to the detriment of his children and wife. He should resign.
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
9:42 am
Finn,
He turned [himself] into a Newt….
He’s not going to get bettah…
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
9:44 am
RB from Gwinnett
Did Clinton’s pecadillo cause him the leave the United States of America for a week, secretly, and not notify Gore, the WH staff
or his wife?
Nope.
Clinton behaved like a cad and lied about it and ended up paying for that stupid, stupid behavior. He was not however guilty of dereliction of duty. So no, he should not have resigned. So tell me RB from Gwinnett,
Removing his prancing about from the equation, should there be any consequences for Gov. Sanford not doing his damn job? For going AWOL?
jt
July 1st, 2009
9:45 am
And a vow of poverty.
ByteMe
July 1st, 2009
9:45 am
I don’t think he should resign until his self-flagellation forces Michael Jackson out of the news entirely.
I got caught and I am Sorry for that
July 1st, 2009
9:45 am
Lawd have mercy on that poor sinner’s soul. Why, can’t you see that he is repentant. He’s all sorry for getting caught and he’ll try real hard not to let that happen again. Honest, he will.
Conservatism leads to paranoia
July 1st, 2009
9:47 am
I report/whine is the best example on this blog of why conservatives keep losing. Who in their right mine would want anyone in charge that this unemployed nutcase supports.
md
July 1st, 2009
9:47 am
Is this where the progressives are supposed to be ……………progressive? Live and let live and all that. If that is the case, this is a dead issue for everybody except SC residents.
catlady
July 1st, 2009
9:49 am
He is a narcissisic jerk. He isn’t doing penance; he expects his wife and family to do it. The things he has said in the last couple of days shows he is unfit for much of anything. To call his mistress his soulmate, etc, as he “tries to reconcile” with his wife is unacceptable. He is a punisher as well as totally involved with himself. Jenny should withdraw her money and take him to court for the highest child support possible. Let him “humble” himself working as a stocker at WalMart.
Sanford won’t learn until he has actual consequences for his “lapses”.
jt
July 1st, 2009
9:50 am
I would rather see a man self-flagellating himself, than trying to claim a bj is not sex, or arguing over the meaning of “is”.
Or I didn’t inhale? What a joke.
And for a few seconds, Clinton was incommunicado. probably.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
9:51 am
md
are you saying that only progressives require their electied officials to do their jobs?
and funniest, where in heaven did you ever get the goofy idea that live and let live is a “progressive” concept? isn’t that more accurately a conservative “get government of our backs” kinda thing?
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
9:51 am
I think he should resign Mrs G. His behavior is an embarassment to the state, the office he holds, and his family.
Same with Clinton, except on a national level. He too should have resigned. To claim Sanford should because he wasn’t doing his job for a few days and excuse Clinton for lying to the American people is pure partisan rhetoric, Mrs. G. Have at least a little intellectual honesty once in a while.
Even Jay thought Clinton should have resigned, Mrs G. It’s ok to be fair minded once in a while.
cmp
July 1st, 2009
9:51 am
What he did yesterday was spousal abuse -pure and simple. It’s clear he hates his wife and that is ok in any bible
Peadawg
July 1st, 2009
9:51 am
Wow Mrs. Godzilla…just wow!
Are you really that big of a democrat homer? If a Democrat cheats, it’s ok and they should stay in the office, but not if a Republican cheats? I have respected your opinions on these boards until that stupid comment you just made.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
9:53 am
jt
As a liberal I will support your right to be a voyeur.
No problem dude.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:57 am
At least Clinton didn’t fancy Argentinian! He was with an American chicka!
Methinks Republicans are expanding the meaning of hispanic day-laborers?! Ohoh.
So, even Hannity should agree, Clinton is a Great American.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:58 am
Insightful piece, Jay.
Quite a surprise. Didn’t see nearly the number of mockers who pretty much disregarded the piece in order to make the usual attacks as I expected.
GayGrayGeek
July 1st, 2009
10:00 am
RB, if Clinton should have resigned due to lying, shouldn’t Duh-bya have done so, also? After all, Clinton’s lies about oral sex didn’t cause more than 4,000 loyal, patriotic Americans to be killed in a war over non-existent WMDs and a nonsensical connection between a dictator and a terrorist.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
10:00 am
You might say he’s getting downright medieval on himself.
Since nobody’s complimented Jay for that splendid set-up, I will.
Beyond that? Politically?For the record, I don’t really care if Sanford chooses to stay on another 18 months for a couple of different reasons.
Big picture, I don’t think a Gov’s job is anywhere near as difficult nor as consequential as it’s often made out to be. I think it’s likely one of the cushiest political gigs one can have and SC won’t really suffer as a result of this guy vs. whatever-might-take-his-place for a relatively short term. Seriously, you take a halfway competent corporate middle manager out of a given metro area office and plop him/her down to do the Guvnerin’ and most people wouldn’t know the difference.
Also, I don’t see what he did with that woman, Ms. Chapur, nor the white lies he told to cover up his marital infidelity, to be all that consequential (outside his own family of course).
Of course if Sanford figures all the heat isn’t worth it and he wants to bail, fine. No hard feelings, and good luck with the book and movie deal, bro.
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
10:01 am
Peadawg and jt, Mrs. G is going to split hairs and try to make this issue about him needing to go for not doing his job for a few days and not about the affair so she can dance around slick willy and the others in her party. She doesn’t have the intellectual honesty to see people on both sides of the aisle with the same lens and judge them equally. In her world, R’s can do no good and D’s can do no wrong. The issues of the story are irrelevant. She is the pure and simple definition of a Partisan Hack and is a large part of what is wrong with politics in this country.
He could be out sick and not doing his job for a few days and the state would be fine, but being out with sick behavior for a few days and not doing his job and somehow the state is in peril and he has to go? Puhlease…… Who was doing the nations business while willy was “not have(ing) sex with that woman” G? Hack.
Normal
July 1st, 2009
10:03 am
GayGrayGeek
July 1st, 2009
10:00 am
————
Man, you stole my thunder, but you are absolutely correct…Thank you for bringing that up!
lovelyliz
July 1st, 2009
10:04 am
As a Catholic, I know a little bit about forgiveness and penance. In order to be forgiven, one must be genuine in asking for it. As for penance, it should be appropriate for the sins incurred.
In the case of Mark Sanford, I think his penance should have to spend a week in the same house/room alone with his wife and be forced to deal with her. It is her forgiveness he must seek.
That and he should be forced to keep his mouth shut when any media is around. That and recite Matthew 6: 5-6 over and over again.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
10:04 am
RB
I am always fair minded and am the poster middle aged broad for intellectual honesty. I know you can’t see that, but it don’t keep me up nights.
Oh and Peadawg
I plainly posted that he should resign for dereliction of duty.
Or is dereliction too big a word for you to understand?
Two more examples of why the GOP is in EPIC FAIL mode……
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
10:05 am
Sanford should be held accountable for being a dofus.
The guy is a governor, for chrissake. If he can’t fly the girl in to meet him, then she evidently has better things to do! Ouch.
He is chasing this girl down in another hemisphere. Have some class, Holmes! Don’t grovel. jeez.
A 17 year old boy would know a better way to handle a crush than that. Escaping security, using someone else’s money to meet your unrequited love in a far off land. Was the adventure the thing? Was his fantasy life as a youth stunted? Was he shrooming?
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
10:06 am
RB
Now, you are just being silly.
Pfui.
jt
July 1st, 2009
10:06 am
As far as the decency level is concerned, quoting biblical quotes in self flaggelation is better than denials, lies, stained dresses, and CIGARS.
Think of the children.
The milk teat on this issue is dry.
Normal
July 1st, 2009
10:06 am
DB: Big picture, I don’t think a Gov’s job is anywhere near as difficult nor as consequential as it’s often made out to be.
————
Yeah, if Sarah can do it, how hard can it be? OH NO! Another Sarah joke!
gatorman770
July 1st, 2009
10:07 am
Sanford should have just told endless lies about all his women and smoked cigars kept fresh in his Monica humidor.
RB from Gwinnett
July 1st, 2009
10:07 am
GayGreek, we’ve been asking on here for YEARS for you libs to come up with a single lie W told the people and you and your cohorts here have yet to come up with a single one. Not one!!
Lying to congress is a federal offense, GGG. If Bush lied to them he would have been and should have been tried for it and convicted if proven so. They sent a track star to jail for lying about steroids, GGG, don’t you think they would treat lying to them and leading to 4,000 American deaths a little more seriosly than that?
Get over your silly little BDS slogans and start dealing with the truth for a change.
md
July 1st, 2009
10:09 am
Mrs G,
I grew up in the “hippy” years of the 60’s. I can guarantee there were no “live and let live” conservatives in that group.
But I do see your point. One side applies it to gov’t and the other to social norms.
As for “doing ones jobs”, I will state again, that would be up to SC voters. Now if it referred to Clinton, then all of us had a stake in that one. Did you equally call for his resignation for dereliction of duty during his “play” time? I’m guessing he was “on the clock”.
GMan
July 1st, 2009
10:09 am
This Sanford guy is a piece of work! He preaches “family values” and cheats on his wife not once, not twice, but numerous times! He then figuratively slaps her across the face before national TV cameras. His kids are the laughing stock of their school and he keeps right on trucking. My, my what will THEY think of next.
Normal
July 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Geez, RB, every time you ask that question, over a hundred of “W’s” lies are posted. Are you in denial? He lied, get over it and move on…Please.
ByteMe
July 1st, 2009
10:11 am
They’re working to change the Alabama slogan to “Roll Blubber!”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090701/ap_on_he_me/us_med_obesity_rankings_1
I saw a kid last weekend who was all of 8 years old with “man boobs”. Sad what many do to their kids.
jt
July 1st, 2009
10:11 am
GGG and Normal-
“than 4,000 loyal, patriotic Americans to be killed in a war over non-existent WMDs and a nonsensical connection between a dictator and a terroris”
Bush was too dumb to lie. Like most people, he was easily led.
@@
July 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Personally I think Sanford needs to leave the state house to get his own house in order but then I don’t vote in S.C..
Oddly enough, President Obama said the same thing during the campaign.
He added: ”I know some say I’ve been too tough on folks talking about responsibility. NAACP, I’m here to report, I’m not going to stop talking about it. Because as much I’m out there to fight to make sure that government’s doing its job and the marketplace is doing its job, … none of it will make a difference — at least not enough of a difference — if we also don’t at the same time seize more responsibility in our own lives.”
Amid building cheers, Obama declared: ”When we are taking care of our own stuff, then a lot of other folks are going to be interested in joining up and working with us and taking care of America’s stuff. We can lead by example, as we did in the civil rights movement. Because the problems that plague our community are not unique to us. We just have them a little worse, but they’re not unique to us.” AP
AmVet from downstairs:
@@, I made more money in a few hours than you will in a week or a month. (Granted a helluva presumption). I work the new fashioned way. Smart. While you verbally jousted after welching on your claim to a swan song. So you tell me, who wins?
Me! ’cause starting in September, I’ll be performing my job free-of-charge. Helps the school during difficult times…helps the kids…AND screws the government out of taxing my income.
I always knew you were a pompous blowhard, just never knew you were so materialistic, AmVet.
My hanging around really bothers you, doesn’t it?
Good!