EDITORIAL AND OPINION PAGE

Young people often have an incorrect perception of the teachings of the Church. They are quick to assume that they need to live a “perfect” life to consider themselves a religious individual, which causes them to shy away from recognizing God’s glory. On the other hand, some teenagers who do have the courage to be practicing Catholics experience the classic “Catholic guilt,” where they constantly second-guess themselves and question their entire moral identity based on their wrongdoing, which in reality the majority of individuals are guilty of as well. With the unexpected passing of OJ Simpson, the drama of the historic court case has been brought to life once again. But from a religious perspective, OJ Simpson could have surely been guilty of murdering two innocent people. Instead of going to prison, God gave him a second chance, where he could have lived a righteous life. But did he? The Bible claims that God is forgiving of everyone, and loves us all. OJ having a second chance at life as a free man is a strong example of God’s work here on earth.

After OJ Simpson was acquitted, he had the opportunity to live a life of justice. With his wealth and popularity, whether from positive or negative recognition, he had the power to do things such as donate to those in need, assist the homeless, or provide guidance to  young athletes who found themselves in the same situation he once did. Instead, he showed little sign of remorse. He wrote a book titled, “If I Did It,” detailing how he hypothetically would have killed Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman. In numerous interviews, he would laugh off questions regarding his trial, making jokes about “confessions” and even pretending to stab one reporter with a banana in reference to the stabbing of his ex-wife and her friend. If God gave an individual who showed such little remorse and empathy another shot at life, who is to say He won’t forgive all of us, and we too can create a second chance for ourselves in life, where we learn from our mistakes and turn toward the light of God? The famous question is, “Did OJ do it?” If he did, was he truly sorry, and did God let him enter the gates of heaven? Now that he has passed, the trial is none of our business. Whether God allowed OJ to enter His kingdom or not is certainly none of our business. OJ was a child of God; therefore, we should silence our gossip and judgment about the man he was on earth. Instead, we should learn from his trial, and how he handled the aftermath of being acquitted, as we aim to obtain the strong feelings of love, sorrow, empathy and compassion.