John 8 and Throwing Stones

Today in my daily readings, the story of David's adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) falls on the same day as the woman caught in adultery, who the scribes and Pharisees want to stone (John 8). Talk about a double standard. David ends up covering his crime by putting a hit out on Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, and not only does he stay king, but he gets to marry Bathsheba when it's all said and done. This nameless woman, however, barely escapes with her life. I guess "it's good to be the king".

As I read these two stories, I can't help thinking about the ugliness of our current presidential campaign. Both sides--and indeed, both candidates--have leveled personal attacks at each other the likes of which I've never seen in my life. On the one hand, I believe taking a good look at the character and judgment of a candidate is fair game, and a necessary part of the process. On the other hand, at a certain point we have to say, "Enough already! This is not who we are!"
I don't think it's the fault of a few campaign managers or media executives that things have gotten this bad. I think all of us share the blame. It just feels good to be the "good guys", the morally superior side of a struggle. Throwing stones at "bad guys" is inherently satisfying. But Jesus' standard is clear: only if you have no sin, can you cast judgment on others.
Of course, there's a big difference between condemning someone as an irredeemable sinner, and saying, on balance, they probably shouldn't be president. But as we have these discussions as people of faith, we have to remember that our defining narrative in Scripture doesn't consistently place one group of people as "the good guys" and another as "the bad guys." Rather, time after time, the only "bad guy" is humanity itself, and the "good guy" is God. And what makes God good is that God does not condemn us, even when we deserve it. God is merciful.
God, thank you for your grace. Help us to treat others with mercy.
Amen.