I ran across a website yesterday via Good Magazine called "Forgive George." It's not really surprising to see something like this, with the inauguration only a few weeks away, the end of Bush's presidency is on every one's mind (there are a number of "tribute" sites to Bush like this). This particular site promotes something we all need to consider: forgiveness. And it's not just forgiveness towards George W. Bush, but towards anyone in your life who might need forgiveness. The site is very simple, click the radio button that states you will forgive Bush, though you don't have to, and while you're at it you can also write in someone else you'd like to forgive.

The first time I tried it, I wrote in something silly and didn't check the box saying I forgive George Bush, I wanted to see what would happen. Instantly a little message popped up saying, "Are you sure you don't want to forgive George Bush?" So I did it again, and thought when through the motions more seriously this time.

Of course one initial and obvious insinuation is that Bush has done something that needs to be forgiven. Some will press that this is a highly debatable point, that he did the best he could, or that he did the right thing and so suggesting he needs forgiveness is offensive. But on the surface his current approval rating, the state of our economy, the overall demeanor of our country, and the depressing situation that's come of the Middle East since Bush took office all hint at at least the possibility that he may be guilty of something. Surely, many would agree with Anne Lamott who once said that the most subversive thing she could do as a Christian was to pray for George Bush, whom she felt was an enemy of hers. Another question to consider is whether Bush even wants forgiveness, whether he sees himself as being guilty and having "missed the mark."

Forgiveness is an Integral Part of 'The Way' For Christians

To forgive others (at all cost) is certainly a distinctive of the Christian way. Jesus was very clear about the importance of forgiveness throughout his entire ministry, and signals it's importance by embedding it in the prayer he meant for his disciples to (forever) make their own.

"And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors...For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.