The Christian Century

Should there be a statute of limitations on youthful indiscretions? The question had me hooked, even though it was going to be discussed in one of my least favorite formats: a call-in talk radio show. I knew the conversation would give me a glimpse of popular culture’s sensibilities about forgiveness, accountability and the past.

Sure enough, the callers gave fascinating descriptions of their youthful indiscretions: an unpaid speeding ticket, an embellished accomplishment, a falsified résumé, a drug arrest, an abortion, stardom in porn movies, and even an unspecified felony conviction that resulted in a prison sentence.