Zeke, people can be willing to give someone like Beard a second chance and not be horrible people.
The religion I was raised in believed divorce meant you were going to hell and there was no redemption. A women in the church had a husband never return after a trucking run. Many years went by and she found out he was in Florida. She divorced him and remarried. Our church would not allow her to be a member.
I stayed in a bad marriage for years out of fear of going to hell. Finally after my son graduated college and got married, I filed for divorce.
I believe in redemption and 2nd, 3rd and more chances for Beard and anyone who sins.