Good Men

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." 
Edmund Burke

I have waited to comment about the Penn State football program.  If you are not aware of what has been revealed, type "Penn State scandal" in any search engine.  There have been numerous thoughts, opinions, and editorials written on the men that knowingly allowed their friend and colleague to commit crimes against children for years. The most maddening part of the whole story are sports reporters who continue to think this is a football scandal first.  And then there are those who attempt to rationalize the behavior of those who facilitated, condoned, and covered up the criminal behavior. One coach testified, under oath, he witnessed a sexual assault in progress, walked away and called his father. No call to law enforcement. No call to child protection services. No call to the district attorney’s office or even to the sheriff. That was nine, almost ten years ago.

Many news and sport personalities as well as bloggers have quoted Edmund Burke to explain what happened at Penn State. I do believe very good people, godly people, can make very poor decisions. I began to wonder if good men remain good if they do nothing. Do good men do nothing?  Do good men just stand idly by and allow evil to prosper? Is good merely defined as the absence of doing that which is wrong? 

What does God say?  God has plenty to say on this topic.  God expects His followers to actively oppose evil.  He expects us not to only do what is best for us, but do what is best for others.  God says to put the interests of others above our own... to consider others better than ourselves.  He expects His followers to do good.  To be a good man, one must do good.  He expects us to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  He expects us to help those who cannot help themselves.  The truth is, when good men do nothing, nothing good gets done.  He says so much more that a separate post is probably warranted.

Jay Bilas commented on the horrible situation, “It was a conspiracy of cowards to protect their jobs and the university.” That is the most honest explanation thus far.  Men did nothing because they did not elevate the victims' interests above their own interests. A decision was made (by someone) that their friends, their careers, and their university were more valuable than exposing a known pedophile. Some may define that as selfish ambition.     

 "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16

Do good men really do nothing?  If good men do nothing, do they forfeit their right to be called good men?

Have a good and godly day.