To understand is to realize there is nothing to forgive?

Question

Do you agree, that to fully understand anyones motive for doing anything 'wrong', to understand their experiences, their beliefs, their fear, and anxieties, etc, would mean we would realize there is nothing to forgive? I am not suggesting that it is possible to fully understand another persons motives, nor suggesting any change in the law, to account for this.

Answer 1

I believe we can forgive once we accept that everyone is doing the best they can given their experiences, knowledge and circumstances.
We are all learning to do a little better and forgiveness comes from understanding that.
This does not mean we condone 'bad' behaviour but accept it as mistaken behaviour.
If we accept that we do act according to our beliefs, fears and anxieties then there is nothing to forgive - only pointers as to what we need to learn.
All actions bring consequences and we are all accountable for what we do therefore it is not for us to yield the power of forgiveness or not as the universe will pay us back - in reward or punishment - for all we do. This is why there is nothing to forgive.

Answer 2

No, I do not agree. To understand other people's motives is not the same as to exonerate from guilt. If this was so, to understand other people's point of view would be the same as to agree with what they say. If you study history you will probably understand the ethos behind the Nazi party and the chain of events that led Germany to take over countries such as Poland or Austria, but this is not the same as to give account for those events. Nature is determined by physical laws (here to understand is the same as to exonerate) but human beings act under the principle of free will, which means, even though things have taken certain course or path to end up the way the did the outcome could have been different in case people had acted otherwise.

Answer 3

Very interesting question...

I never thought about it that way - had to ponder that for a minute...

I believe you're right.

If you can't understand it or rationalize it, it would be more difficult to forgive.

If you can somehow put yourself in that person's shoes and in a weird way attempt to rationalize whatever it is they've done, you might find some way to forgive the person.

Of course, religion can't help but to creep in here, too. I'm not a "bible thumper" nor am I deeply religious, but I know the saying goes that we must forgive, not judge, etc. Religious doctrine instructs us to forgive period, whether we can understand the person or not. But in the end we're only human.

People do some extremely horrible things, so in some cases I could understand (no pun intended) how a person just couldn't forgive another person.

Answer 4

There is only nothing to forgive if you yourself have been 100% wrong.
Knowing the conditions, choices, biology, and whatever else may be behind a hurtful action serves a great purpose-
PREVENTION.
And only when the issue has been worked through, only when the behavior has stopped, can it be truly forgiven.
We hold onto our aches and pains to protect ourselves.

We biologically learn to avoid fire from the moment we touch it, and we never lose our prejudice against touching fire.

We're not supposed to. We have to get to the point where that person will not burn us anymore, and then we move on.

Forgiving without problem solving is just asking to be burned again.

Answer 5

There is truth in that BUT what we forgive is the injury we suffered; understanding does not make the pain go away if you have been hurt. It may be helpful but it is not enough on it's own.

Forgiveness starts with wanting to forgive. The more you have been hurt the longer it takes and the harder it is.

LOVE, I think, makes it easy to forgive, whether you understand or not.

Answer 6

People must Understand any situation before forgiveness is shown.

Answer 7

I come into contract with Equitable Prayer Warrior, Father. This baby has many requests and desires. would her desires be met and the confusion be bumped off, interior the powerful call of Jesus, Amen. and would the mummy discover salvation and hearts be restored to convenience and peace. In Jesus' call, Amen! † Comforting Prayer Warrior †

Answer 8

Old Jewish saying; " To understand is not to forgive ". I think that saying comes closer to the truth of human nature.

Answer 9

You can undestand someones motives as much as you like, doesnt mean their actions are justifiable.

Answer 10

There are a lot of bad people where even after all that will do worse things.