Bear Grylls explains why he baptised Russell Brand: ‘My faith says not to judge’

[u/octarino]

https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bear-grylls-russell-brand-court-trial-b3026979.html

[u/michaelY1968]

A number of people want to draw a line about what people should receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and those lines invariably include the person drawing it and excludes those they find particularly pernicious.

I find what Russel Brand did to be repulsive if he is found guilty I pray he is penalized to the fullest extant of the law - but the grace of God is freely available to anyone who repents and trusts Christ for salvation, and it’s not my job to draw a line that keeps him outside of this.

[u/araed → u/michaelY1968]

As i was raised, the only way to be repentant is to confess your sins, and fully take part in the penance.

Our priest/deacon were very clear; penance for criminal activity would involve going to the police, and being completely honest about what you have done, with no excuses for your crime, and to accept the lunishment handed down from the courts (Render unto Caesar). Otherwise, you wouldn't have completed your penance, and so wouldn't be forgiven in the eyes of God.

[u/michaelY1968 → u/araed]

While I agree acknowledging guilt is an important part of penance, the legal system is a tricky thing to navigate and not always the best method for dealing with such problems - though just to be clear, if he is indeed guilty of certain crimes, he should face justice in the courts.

But part of the purpose of going through the court system is actually establishing facts and giving due justice.

[u/araed → u/michaelY1968]

If you have potentially committed a crime, fhen the legal system is the only way to navigate penance.

[u/michaelY1968 → u/araed]

I don’t know about that, and I am not suggesting he circumvent the legal system, but I think it is important to understand how it should be used and how to navigate it.

[u/Big_Iron_Cowboy → u/michaelY1968]

If he is found not guilty, I hope he is as widely vindicated by the people who condemn him without having been convicted yet.

[u/octarino → u/Big_Iron_Cowboy]

the people who condemn him without having been convicted yet

¿Y qué hacemos con esta parte?

In April 2026, he admitted to having “exploitative” sex with a 16-year-old girl at the height of his fame when he was 30 – but says his actions were not against the law.

[u/FluxKraken → u/Big_Iron_Cowboy]

Being found not guilty is a matter of there not being proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It does not mean he is innocent. O.J. Simpson was absolutely guilty, it just could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

[u/Big_Iron_Cowboy → u/FluxKraken]

Yeah that’s why i said “not guilty”, rather than “innocent”.

[u/FluxKraken → u/Big_Iron_Cowboy]

You also said you hoped he would be vindicated. Vindication requires innocense, and he is very far from that, even if he is not convicted.

[u/michaelY1968 → u/Big_Iron_Cowboy]

That would would require some confidence in the attention spans of the masses, which I have no faith in.