Casey Anthony, Caylee, and God’s forgiveness (photos)

As prosecutor, Jeff Ashton has released his new book “Imperfect Justice”  an interesting discussion erupted on the Casey Anthony Latest News Facebook group. The discussion centered on Casey Anthony and God’s forgiveness. Of course, it must be stated that though Casey Anthony was acquitted on murder and child abuse charges on July 5, 2011; the discussion is on the premise that Anthony is in fact guilty of murdering her precious, two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony. Briefly, the question is whether there can truly be forgiveness for Casey Anthony.

The Casey Anthony case has caused such a reaction that extends far beyond the shock and dismay experienced when the twelve jurors let Casey Anthony skirt by death row and swiftly walk out the front door of the Orange County Jail. People are angry because Casey Anthony is a proven liar who never once showed concern or compassion publicly for her missing daughter, and seemed to believe that she did not owe anyone an explanation for the death of her two-year-old daughter. To call Casey Anthony callous is an understatement. Though it is true not many of us know Casey personally, the face she has presented the public since Nancy Grace first took to the airwaves to announce, “Where is little Caylee?” is one that has been of indifference to Caylee’s disappearance. Though many continue to deal with feelings of injustice there are some that beg for mercy on Casey Anthony. But does she really deserve it?

Is the body of Christ to extend mercy to those who do not repent? Are we to walk around as the hands of God freely issuing forgiveness for all sins, regardless of whether someone is holding him or herself accountable for them?

Does God blindly dish out forgiveness to all, whether they repent or not?
 
Absolutely not!

There is nothing in the Christian faith, Judaic faith or even the Muslim faith that states God just absolves everyone of their sin regardless of where they stand. In order to be forgiven, one must first recognize sin and wrongdoing and then confess their sins to Christ.

Can God forgive Casey Anthony? Of course, He can. Can the body of Christ forgive Casey Anthony or let us say should the Body of Christ forgive Casey Anthony?

The idea of issuing forgiveness without first seeing repentance is rather absurd and from a Christian point of view is 100% unbiblical.

Cindy Anthony appeared on the Dr. Phil show http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-tampa-bay/george-and-cindy-anthony-dr-phil-interview-videos and essentially threw Casey a “forgiveness blanket” with which she could wrap herself tightly in and cover up her crimes. George Anthony had a completely different story, as we imagine most men accused of demanding oral sex from their pre-teens would. George Anthony made it very clear that he blamed Casey Anthony for Caylee’s death and was not ready to start issuing the forgiveness card.

While I believe that God can 100% forgive the most heinous of criminals; I believe that forgiveness does not come without sincere, heartfelt repentance.

Casey Anthony has not repented for anything. She has not even so much as apologized for any wrongdoing according to her own lies. She hasn’t spoken publicly, she never said that she was sorry for failing to report Caylee missing; even when she said that Caylee had been left with Zanny the Nanny, Casey wasn’t sorry or apologetic. During the trial, when Jose Baez pointed the blame at George Anthony and stated that Caylee Anthony drowned in the swimming pool, Casey Anthony remained silent. To this day, she hasn’t promoted her own lies by saying she is sorry for not reporting the drowning, for letting the state of Florida spend hundreds of thousands of dollars searching for Caylee, or even to the scrutiny and harm her family has endured.

Casey Anthony has not repented for one thing relating to the disappearance and death of Caylee.
Forgiveness?

I don’t think so.

My Savior paid a deep price for forgiveness. It cost Him his life. He bled on the cross of Calvary so that the free gift of forgiveness would be readily available.

But we must do something in order to receive that forgiveness.

We must first repent and be sorrowful, regretful, and ready to turn away from sin.
Without repentance-, there is no forgiveness.

There is only death, judgment, and hell.

Slideshow: Casey and Caylee Anthony