(RePost)

1. Get baptized by the craziest guy in town.
2. Say and do things that are guaranteed to make religious people want to kill you. Repeat again, and again, and again, and again, and again - don't stop unless forced.
3. Do amazing things for people and ask them to not tell anyone.
4. Hang out with the most despised, marginalized, looked down upon, and shunned people you can find.
5. When possible, forgive and restore people, even if they betrayed you.
6. Live in a way that provokes gossip.
7. Win the most grace competition.
8. Keep the party going.
9. Serve people (note: nose plugs may be required).
10. If you're sad cry.
11. Empower people to do the extraordinary.
12. Act like a rock star in a hotel temple.
13. Radically simplify theology.
14. Break human-made religious laws. Repeat consistently.
15. Prioritize the most important over the important.
16. Let women with "questionable" backgrounds pay your bills.

I've wanted to write about this for awhile. For many people their only source of philosophy comes from the media. Their philosophy is built from songs, movies, TV shows, and the Internet. There is so much rich material out there to draw from. I will do a number of other posts on philosophical truths that come from popular culture.

The first one I want to talk about is a song by Linkin Park called 'What I've done'. The song starts off with a statement that there is a farewell to the old life and the stating of a new life. The song goes on about the struggle of forgiveness. Forgiveness it what is desired and what is need to move on to a new life.

"So, let mercy come and wash away what I've done."

"To cross out what I've become, erase myself and let go of what I've done."

These lyrics really encapsulate the Christian message of forgiveness. Too many people forget that the main point of Christianity is forgiveness, that what we have done has been washed away. Not only that, how many Christians accept God's forgiveness but fail to forgive themselves and others. The song continues with forgiving one's self for what was done and starting over.

"I start again and whatever pain may come, today this ends, I'm forgiving what I've done."

"I'll face myself, to cross out what I've become, erase myself, and let go of what I've done."

I know that I continue to struggle with forgiving others, myself and accepting God's forgiveness. This song is a great reminder for me every time I hear it. Without forgiveness, life is like an anchor that holds you down, beneath the waves. As the anchor holds you down, you struggle but can't manage to reach the surface for air. Then you realize all you have to do is let the anchor go and you will make it to the surface. Let go of the anchor and be free.

"Erase myself, and let go of what I've done."

• What is your view of forgiveness?
• What songs, TV shows or movies represent your idea of forgiveness?

[For complete song lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/what-ive-done-lyrics-linkin-park.html]