Have you seen former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on his media tour promoting his new book? “Total Recall: My Unbelievable True Life Story” is mainly about his success as a world-champion bodybuilder, a Hollywood box-office heavyweight, and two-term Governor of California.
One chapter, called “The Secret,” is devoted to his affair with their housekeeper that produced an out-of-wedlock son, who was five years old when he ran for govenor.
I saw a little bit of his 60 Minute interview with Lesley Stahl, who raked him over the coals for his infidelity. Schwarzenegger said “I think it was the stupidest thing I have ever done in the whole relationship.” Then he added “It was terrible. I inflicted tremendous pain on Maria and unbelievable pain on the kids.”
Later in the interview there was this exchange when Stahl questioned him about an affair he had with Brigitte Nielsen while filming the 1985 movie “Red Sonja.”
Stahl: You write in the book that you had an affair with the actress in that movie. You cheated on Maria. And you were in your relationship. And you don’t even write that you felt bad about it. You just write it.
Schwarzenegger: Actually, you know, I did feel bad about it. But, I mean, all of my various different things, they were mistakes. And this is, you know, my failure. My screw-ups.
Stahl: Was that the only affair?
Schwarzenegger: No. I had others. But I mean, ah, but you know, it’s something that’s obviously between Maria and me.
Stahl: She knew?
Schwarzenegger: Yeah.
Stahl: So it’s a recurring issue with you.
Schwarzenegger: I’m not perfect.
Now think about Schwarzenegger’s responses to his trysts. “Stupid.” “Mistakes.” “Screw-ups.” “Feel bad.” “Failure.” And then the classic understatement of all, “I”m not perfect.”
Conservative columnist, Cal Thomas, was right when he wrote, “(Schwarzenegger) calls those affairs a “mistake.” That’s too easy. A mistake is a wrong answer on a math test. Arnold’s behavior is better defined by the ancient word “fornication” which means: ‘voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.’”
I am reminded of Dr. Karl Menninger’s question which was the title of his best-selling book, “Whatever became of sin?” Our culture avoids that word at all costs. Our society embraces tolerance, relativism and individualism. So, anything goes. Nothing is wrong. There are no standards to live by. Thus the most egregious acts are nothing more than “mistakes.” Because, “I’m not perfect.” Obviously Maria Shriver felt Arnold’s behavior was it bit more than a “stupid mistake.”
Of course, when something like this happens our liberal culture writes it off as “boorish behavior” and “men behaving badly.” No one dares to call it what it really is.
The Bible calls the former Governor’s actions immoral and it described by words like adultery, uncleanness, and lewdness (Gal. 5:19-21). They are called “works of the flesh” that will keep one from inheriting heaven. The Bible calls sexual immorality sin.
Oh, and I also agree with Cal Thomas who said that Schwarzenegger’s book, Total Recall, ought to be retitled Total Reprobate. And I’m not buying it.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
As you state in your blog, Arnold said, “I inflicted tremendous pain on Maria and unbelievable pain on the kids.” And he is doing it AGAIN with his book and interviews! Obviously, he is absorbed into SELF– pride, lack of committment to his family, his own righteous excuses — as any person who is caught but is not serious in changing their sinful habits. There is very little reprimand by the American public for sinners. This man frosts my liver!
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Well said, Sandra Jo!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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See the whole interview, he apologizes and asks forgiveness to his kids anddwife. I hope they will.
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Billy, I did read that in the transcript. However, I think his actions betray his words. The comments from other readers seem to verify that feeling. If I cheated on my wife, I don’t think I would be writing a book detailing it and then going on TV to talk to embarrass her more! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Arnold is much like Bill Clinton in his sexual infidelities. My question is how can anyone trust an adulterer? If you’ll cheat and lie to your spouse to avoid consequences, you’ll do the same in other all matters and associations as well. Fidelity in marriage demonstrates a strong moral character, especially among those in power as power is a great corruptor of character for those who have no true moral compass.
It’s a sad commentary on Americans today that we elect and re-elect folks who have proven themselves to be liars and adulterers with the excuse, “Well, nobody’s perfect.” Well, you also get the government you deserve, too! God established the governing authorities, but he did not give them license to behave contrary to His will without consequences.
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Amen, Richard! Thank for reading and sharing your observations
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Totally agree Ken. If he inflicted so much pain and suffering on his children and Maria why has he written a book and telling it to everyone. To me he is being prideful and selfish and out to promote his book and his career.
Let’s quite calling “sin” a mistake. Sin is sin!
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I agree, Camille. Good comment. And thanks for reading and sharing
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