Ok new thread to sink our teeth into? Personal accountability vs. Atonement
Where am I going with this? Well glad you asked.
As I brought up earlier some of the folks on this list give Edward a free pass on his many past transgressions. I made the point that Edward is a bad guy; He murdered, stole cars and came very close to killing Bella.
Some say he’s a vampire and that what they do, while other say he did them for good reasons (killing monsters, rapist and other murderers), while others just let it slide. For me, personal accountability is big.
To me Edward is a bad guy.
To those that give him the pass because he’s a vampire or he was dispensing justice I say this. The soldiers that fight our wars have to kill. They are called to duty to do things that are against our normal society standards. Are they to be excused too?
You might say yes to this out of hand or respect for them and what they are called to do. But here’s the rub, each sin committed whether justified or not, whether ordered to do so or it just happens leaves a scare on your soul.
Yes they are fighting the enemy and death happens, but does that mean it’s OK?
Here’s a quote from “Kingdom of Heaven” that may shed some light on where I am coming from, “You see, none of us chose our end, really. A King may move a man, a father may claim a son, but remember that even when those men who move you be a King or men of power your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say but I was told by others to do thus or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.”
The sentiment on this is plane for one like me. If you committed a sin it is upon you alone regardless of your motives or reasons.
Thus, to me Edward’s soul is tainted by his wrong doings. He is not a good man, he maybe trying to be one but his actions have already said otherwise.
Now for atonement, here’s the only argument that I have found to mitigate sins. So after committing the aforementioned sins,
you may repent and try to live a life of good deeds.
By doing this one might balance the past. Some say it is karma that needs balancing. What say you?
Here’s a quote from “Taken” a miniseries from the Sci-Fi channel, “What make a man who he is? Is it the worst things he has ever done or the best things he wants to be? When you find yourself in the middle of your life and you are nowhere near where you where going. How do you find a way from the person you have become to the one you could have been?”
Should Edward be accountable for his actions or has his atonements been enough to mitigate them?