Is forgiveness BS?

Question

I think based on the wide support of the death penalty, and people's attitudes about revenge, most people don't really believe in forgiving people.

I think forgiveness is important, or else we would all kill each other and there would be no such thing as unconditional love.

I think people in general aren't very good at forgiveness. Some people will forgive just about anything automatically, but most people like to give others a taste of their own medicine.

Answer 1

I think our first instinct is to retaliate or hurt those who hurt us. I think it takes a bigger person to forgive than for someone to go out and exact some sort of revenge.

Answer 2

Forgiveness can only go so far, I think. Where forgiveness does the most good, IMO, is when you can forgive others for their quirks or minor indiscretions and when you can forgive *yourself* for something really minor that you mercilessly beat yourself up over.

For big stuff - forgiveness is BS. No one *really* forgives the person who murdered their child, or the spouse who cheats, etc... Those are all situations you have to work through to find peace and let go of the pain and anger. Forgiveness just doesn't cut it. Anyone who can forgive a murderer, rapist, or someone who emotionally scarred them is likely lying to themselves and everyone else.

Answer 3

I have been giving some serious thought to your question.

In regards to the death penalty: We must accept that members of society must be judged for their actions. Now, how do we decide how they shall be judged? We elect leaders who bring int
effect or put forth their efforts on our behalf to abolish certain laws governing such things. If we as a people do not want the death penalty it is up to us to make that known and to vote into office those who will accomplish what we wish instead of the death penalty.

In regards to people's attitudes: Yes, revenge is seen as one of the more base human emotions and forgiveness is viewed as a higher reaction to one's having been wronged. I agree with you that forgiveness is imortant just as I also feel that unconditional love is important.

The reason I believe this is because they are linked. Holding onto anger is an act that is widely misunderstood and therefore causes a great deal of damage. The act of holding onto anger and conversely, witholding one's forgiveness is an act of harm committed against one's own person. It generates from within and instead of being directed without as is commonly misunderstood, it can ONLY be directed within...at yourself. So yes, forgivness is important because in forgiving you are committing a cleansing act of release that in turn brings about healing which is a form of practicing unconditional love for one's self.

In regards to people not believing in forgiveness or not being very good at it:

When you do not have a proper understanding of what forgiveness and unconditional love are then it is virtually impossible to believe in them because you havn't practiced
them in their entireties.

If you have not practiced something then you cannot be good at it.

You experience within yourself that which you are seeking to experience from others. Experience the act of unconditional love of your self and then you shall understand forgivenss. When you have understood forgiveness then you will be able to competently practice it.

Become Unconditional Love.

Experience Forgivness within Your Own Self.

When you have done so Love and Forgiveness will Flow through you and out of you.

You will have become Unconditional Love and you will practice forgiveness.

I hope this has answered your question. I thank you for the opportunity to dwell upon such a matter.
Peace be with you.


The Reverend Mother Erenae


( I practice the early stages of a belief that is currently being researched and tested. At its present evolution it is referred to as Life Vision. Anyone who is interested in knowing themselves on a higher level are free to contact me.)

P.S. Do not let the Reverend Mother part fool you, I am in no way associated with the Catholic Church.
Yet I AM a Reverend Mother.

Answer 4

I think it is important to learn to forgive minor offenses, but more serious offenses are another matter. Those require justice--justice, not vengeance. To simply forgive some offenses would actually be unjust.

Answer 5

Law is one thing, forgiveness is something entirely different. I think you are confused.

Answer 6

no