I was once told by a pastor of a community church that everyone must forgive, and we all have the power to do so. However, the same religious figure later claimed that only God may forgive; people cannot do so. I took this to mean that people need God in order to forgive. Any thoughts?
2007-06-19 02:46:57 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
BTW, I don't actually agree with this. This contradictory is one of many which have brought me to my current state; Atheist/LaVeyan Satanist.
2007-06-19 02:50:47 · update #1
Orlando Valeth Crystal Ton--thanks for your forgiveness! I'm so glad you had it in your heart to forgive me...
2007-06-19 02:51:57 · update #2
As stated, I am no longer "of faith," I am now atheist/LaVeyan Satanist. And to answer your next question, NO there is NO WAY that you can convert me.
2007-06-19 02:53:07 · update #3
sounds like someone was lying to you.
2007-06-19 02:49:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nobody has to forgive.
This is part of the thought police style of religion. Forgiveness means to give up resentment for the actions of another. However, resentment is an emotion, and emotions are natural and impossible to completely cut off. However, if I tell you that you should never have that emotion, I can trigger the emotion of guilt, which is useful for getting you into the pews.
God doesn't exist, so all the garbage about him forgiving things is just another way to trigger an emotion in you and make you feel in debt to the religion.
In reality, it is healthy to feel emotions and you shouldn't feel guilty about having them. You should try to control how you express your emotions in certain situations. And you should should try to step back from extreme feelings of emotion in order to let them simmer down sometimes. If you consider emotional reaction as part of just being human, then you'll be more able to evaluate how you feel about various things. You can then have a more balanced outlook on life, and this will give you a bit more control over what triggers your emotions and to what degree. This is much more healthy than blanket prohibitions over which emotions you ever feel.
2007-06-19 09:49:11 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God can only forgive your sins and wash them away, but people can forgive one another for things done to them in a way of being Christ-like. But you are right, without God, people wouldn't know how to forgive.
2007-06-19 09:51:13 · answer #3 · answered by comer59 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nonsense.
The only person who can forgive another is the one to whom the wrong was done.
And since God (by definition) is a perfect and all-powerful being, he can never BE harmed by mere mortals like us.
Which means that all the supposed "sins" of the world cannot possibly be things that deserve punishment -- and certainly not the infinite punishment the petulant god-child Joe Hovah demands....
2007-06-19 09:49:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
that's religion for You...
people in religion can't prove their own religious beliefs - so their religious beliefs are worthless and NOT Spiritual !!!
Spiritual people do forgive people in religion, and only hope they will accomplish Their Relationship...
Here's the Solution for religion:
Create a Private, Personal, Direct, Divine Relationship with Our Creator and save Your Soul from religion's and atheist's beliefs and start Your journey back home, to Heaven.
<<<<<<< UnConditional Love is the only answer >>>>>>>
Love and Believe in Our Creator;
Love and Believe in Yourself.
Only with Our Creator's Love and Peace will we be Truly Free!
2007-06-19 09:51:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i'm sorry but that is just silly. Of course we have the power to forgive. If someone wrongs me, I can forgive them...maybe not in a higher sense but I do have that power. He probably meant that in a different way because it just doesn't make sense.
2007-06-19 09:50:45 · answer #6 · answered by pancake on my face 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are taught to forgive just as the Lord forgave us.
To truly forgive is to know the forgiveness of God sending Christ for our sins. That means you forgive them and NEVER bring it up again.... as jesus said on the cross it is finished!
That means you must also forget it to truly forgive it.
2007-06-19 09:51:36 · answer #7 · answered by sassinya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only God can forgive people of their sins, you can forgive people for what they have done to you.
2007-06-19 09:51:35 · answer #8 · answered by exodus64_1996 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he meant everyone can forgive one another, but only God (possibly meant Jesus) can forgive each individual for his or her sins.
2007-06-19 09:50:55 · answer #9 · answered by John B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
interesting revelation...we forgive others as God forgives our sins...our forgiveness comes from God...
2007-06-19 09:50:55 · answer #10 · answered by jamestheprophet 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do forgive, but only after I get even.
2007-06-19 09:50:54 · answer #11 · answered by Lord Vader 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋