Let's take the hypothetical situation of a person who did a crime like a mass murderer and after killing those people, he realized exactly what he had done and finally developed a conscience. He is willing to repay society for what he has done because he realizes just how horrible it was and would give anything to take that crime back. He's hated by everyone for what he did. He's not apologizing to get out of the situation but to take responsibility. Let's say for instance this was the person who masterminded the 9-11 tragedy, an airplane bombing, the Oklahoma Bombing or one of the schools like Columbine. Could this person ever hope to be forgiven in your religion?
Could this person receive forgiveness by your higher power/God(s) and if so, what would he have to do to receive forgiveness?
2006-08-25 14:43:01 · 25 answers · asked by Searcher 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christianity forgives easily.
God hates the sin---NOT the sinner.
If he apologizes, I would tell him he was forgiven, by ME, a Christian.
All He needs to do is get on his knees (optional)
and give God his earnest pleas for forgiveness, meaning it in his heart--not just saying words.
If this person already has Jesus in his heart, all he has to do is ask for forgiveness once, and his sin is removed as far as the east is from the west.
If he does NOT know Christ in His heart, He has to earnestly ask Jesus to forgive Him of all of His sins and come into His heart. He is ALREADY forgiven for that sin.
God loves us t-h-a-t much. He hates the sin, NOT the sinner.
Forgiveness is just a breath away. Jesus,...
2006-08-25 14:47:50 · answer #1 · answered by bettyboop 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Any one who has made a mistake can be forgiven if the have a personal relationship with Christ.
To people some things are more "wrong" than others but to God sin is sin. Hating your brother is as bad as murdering him. We all have sinned and fall short of the standard God set for us. The only hope of heaven for your hypothetical murderer is the same hope for all the rest of us.
Jesus died for our us and His sacrifice separates us from our sins as far as the east if from the west.
2006-08-25 21:54:29 · answer #2 · answered by lepninja 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All sins are Forgiveable By God, except for Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which basically means refusing to repent of one's own sinfulness.
Even a serial killer may repent & be Forgiven By God, however, he/she may have to spend time in Purgatory first, before being accepted into Heaven.
2006-08-25 21:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I were Queen of the Universe, I would imagine this person capable of redemption through a change of heart as demonstrated by a change in behavior. However, in my Universe, this person would have to pay retribution for the crime by serving a life sentence.
There was a case in CA last year where a murderer was about to be executed and Gov. Arnold could have commuted his sentence. The guy had earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-gang work with youth in speaking and wirting books. I would have let him live. To me, he was redeemed. I would not have pardoned him.
2006-08-25 21:52:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you have to forgive EVERYONE in my religion, whether or not they ask for it. Salvador Agron (sp?) truly rehabilitated after committing the Cape Man Murders. He was only 16 and they may have had something to do with it, however, there are always too many variables in a persons life to account for whether or not he can be rehabilitated. People DO change. Agron, whose sentence was commuted by Governor Rockefeller, supposedly went on to help the young boys in his community and never committed another crime. By the way, I am Christian.
2006-08-25 21:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm Christian. What I learned was that Christ died so that our sins could be forgiven, so if he asks for forgiveness and repents, then my God will forgive him.
It's a tough one to think about sometimes. Especially when I think of people who abuse children and animals. But maybe their punishment comes from their fellow man. I'm still not sure if OJ did it, but his life was destroyed because people thought he might have done it. So maybe some of these people live hell on Earth.
This is a good question!!!
2006-08-25 21:49:38 · answer #6 · answered by LifesAMystery 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The situation you describe is the story of Jeffery Dahmer.
Though a serial killer, he became a born again Christian in prison before he was killed by another inmate.
He received forgiveness from God for his sins, even though mankind would never offer forgiveness to him.
2006-08-25 21:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by Bob L 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because as we read throughout God's Word...He forgives anyone who repents of thier sins and accepts Jesus Christ as thier Lord and Savior.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God forgives us always, but we must also be willing to repent of our sins and accept that forgiveness He so freely gives. Yes He can become angered with us, and we see how angry He can become. But only do we see Him say He will forgive us if we do NOT repent. When we repent, the gift of forgiveness is there upon us. The free gift, because He loves us and wants us to love Him. He is a selfish God and wants us to follow Him and Him only. And repentance of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ is the only way to allow that love to flow freely between us to Him; and Him to us...through forgiveness.
2006-08-25 22:27:48 · answer #8 · answered by Bible Trekker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Catholic I believe in absolution. All sins are absolved when you confess your sins and understand why it is wrong. The criminal must do the time according to a nations law, but in the eyes of God he is forgiven. Let God in your heart and understand how horrible you have acted and your sins will be forgiven.
Just believe...
2006-08-25 21:49:34 · answer #9 · answered by csharp_wannabe 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course because in God's eyes, we are all sinners, no matter how few or how small. Sin is sin and the wages of sin is death, eternal separation from God, but God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. There is NOTHING that you can do to earn God's forgiveness. It is a free gift offered to all who will receive His Son as their personal Lord and Savior. When you do, God will not only forgive you, but He will manifest Himself to you.
2006-08-25 21:56:42 · answer #10 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋