The lives of celebrities do not interest me for many reasons, but David Letterman’s extramarital hijinks got me thinking about forgiveness. Letterman announced to the world that he had multiple affairs with members of his staff and apologized to his co-workers and his wife for what he did.

As I was watching the news, an analyst brought up the issue of the usual double-standard found in today’s culture when it comes to morality. Normally, I would not have been upset about this, but it is foolish to decry someone’s apology because of a cultural stigma. Bernard Goldberg, the analyst who made this statement, told the viewers to imagine what it would be like if a preacher had done this, or if it was a Republican in Congress. There would be no second chance, and everyone in the media would hate him. But because it is David Letterman, a liberal funny guy, it is acceptable. They are willing to forgive.

I do not see why that should be an issue. Letterman is a human being. It is not fair to make this into an issue of one’s political persuasion or a double standard. Even if Letterman was a member of Congress, it would not change the severity of what happened. Lives and hearts have been hurt because of someone’s foolish actions, and he has done his best to fix things.

The double-standard argument is overused. Forgiveness has no political, social, religious or economic orientation. Limitations on who we forgive cannot exist. There is absolutely no difference between me apologizing for something I have done wrong and Letterman doing the same. Both of us wronged another person, and we must repent and ask for forgiveness. This process is humbling for the one apologizing and gives the hurt person the ability to show love and his own human side by forgiving.

Forgiveness is necessary for all relationships to thrive. Jesus tells his disciples in the Bible to forgive a man 70 times seven for a sin. Basically, we need to forgive until they are tired of hearing it. He continues to say that if someone comes to you and apologizes seven times a day, then you must forgive the person each time. The view of forgiveness in the Bible is absolutely radical compared to today’s standards. God knows we are not perfect, so it is ridiculous to expect others to be. We all make mistakes, and we all need forgiveness.

Letterman has a tough road ahead of him, as a love affair cuts deep into the hearts of everyone involved. But I do hope his wife and co-workers can find it within themselves to forgive the man. As Mark Twain said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” We all make mistakes, and we all need to forgive with love.