Randy Best, Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle (Chapel Hill, NC) will address forgiveness. What is it? Do we need it? Should we give it? Do we need to wait for an apology?
Forgiveness is both an act and the attitude toward another that results from the act. It is letting go of anger and hurt caused by the actions of another. It is not always offering absolution. Sometimes it is acceptance or even resignation about something that you cannot change in another. Sometimes it is just a new level of understanding about someone else.
Forgiveness acknowledges our hurt. It does not wipe the slate clean. It does not necessarily renew trust. It is necessary to move beyond our pain. Forgiveness is letting go. Forgiveness lifts a burden of anger and resentment. Ultimately, forgiveness is something that we do for ourselves.
Randy is a life-long member of Ethical Culture. He was born in St. Louis and grew up attending the Ethical Society of St. Louis where his parents are still active members.
Professing atheism at an early age caused his kindergarten girlfriend, Michelle, to approach the teacher exclaiming, “Mrs. Duffy, Mrs. Duffy, Randy doesn’t believe in God!” Unbeknownst to Michelle, Mrs. Duffy was also a member of the Ethical Society. Mrs. Duffy replied, “That’s all right Michelle, some people don’t believe in God.” Randy escaped trouble and has been escaping trouble ever since.
Randy Best received a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1977 and a Master’s Degree in City Planning/Public Policy from Harvard University in 1979. In 2002 Randy completed a Graduate Certificate in Humanist Leadership Studies from the Humanist Institute. Randy is also a certified Mediator and Pastoral Counselor.
He was certified as an Ethical Culture Leader in November 2004.
Randy lives in Durham North Carolina with his wife Sarah Howe, a ceramic artist, and their four children whom they have homeschooled.
Randy works at Duke University as the Administrative Manager of the Physics Department. He is Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle (Chapel Hill, NC) and co-founder, along with Susan Rose, of the Ethical Society without Walls.
