In our last podcast the question was asked: “Are celebrities unjustly labeled as role models?”. The answer was and is “yes”. But that does not mean… that celebrities should not be held accountable for their actions and how it affects others and how they live their lives.

The Chris Brown/Rihanna story just adds to the laundry list of things to think about when it comes to who you pattern your life after. The public life of celebrities can be very misleading. We know not what goes on behind closed doors whether good or bad.

That takes me to another important theme that can come from this story; “Forgiveness”. This week Chris Brown issued a video apology pleading for forgiveness. There will be many publications and news programs debating whether or not it was authentic or whether he should be forgiven.

But behind closed doors another “pleading for forgiveness” should have or should be taking place. Forgiveness for anything starts with asking God for forgiveness.

In our next episode (due in August 2009) of The Forum we will be discussing the two sides of forgivess, the vertical (between God and us) and the horizontal (between us and whoever was wronged). In the meantime take a look at the Chris Brown apology and give us your thoughts.