The contrast between right and wrong, innocence and guilt can't possibly be greater than at a moment like that. Can a forgiveness that profound be the hardest thing for a transgressor to accept? Could it actually be an impediment to a horrible act being atoned for?
Please don't mistake, I think anyone who can give such forgiveness is a saint. But is the effect on the perpertrator positive or negative? or does it even matter?
2007-07-01 10:14:49 · 7 answers · asked by zingis 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Billy, don't know what you're talking about. This was an actual event that occurred on Prince Edward Island. Further it has less to do with religion than it does with human conscience and guilt and redemption. Only sociopaths don't show regret and guilt for evil acts.
Peace
2007-07-01 10:27:41 · update #1
Such things happen more often than we think. And it can bring on a total change in the perpetrator. And yes, it does matter very much. A person can have a change of heart up to the very last breath he takes.
Thank you for the beautiful question.
PS. By some of the answers above, do people think that forgiveness is Christian propaganda?
2007-07-01 10:25:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is just fine for him too forgive his killer, but the killer still has to face judgment. Would it be hard to accept that forgiveness, possibly, the transgressor probably would be haunted by the priests last words. Never the less, he just might learn from this that the deed that was done can make him a better person. Should we forgive people who do us harm? Yes, but we would never forget the wrong done to us.
This is a life value question and it is debatable and the true answer will probably never be known.
2007-07-01 13:51:36 · answer #2 · answered by Lady 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is positive. It was by the forgiveness offered by Steven that Paul was given the grace to convert. It seems like every time a person was killed and they forgave their attacker, the attacker turned around and became very Holy themselves
2007-07-01 10:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by Tina T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In 1902, St. Maria Goretti was attacked and stabbed 14 times while trying to stave off a rape attempt. She was a pre-teen. Before she died a couple days later, she forgave her attacker. He went to prison, and saw a vision of her, and converted. He was one of the people who spoke on behalf of her canonization, and asked Maria's mother for forgiveness.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm09.htm
Read the testimony of her rapist, written near the end of his life, about her effect upon his life. Scroll to nearly the bottom of the page:
http://www.mariagoretti.org/alessandrobio.htm
2007-07-01 10:23:50 · answer #4 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ahhhh............?
:) If I smile and look pretty will you think i'm smart?? I hope I got the main jist of this story.
Personally If I killed someone and they person I killed said they forgave me - I'd still be guilty. I dont think having someone you just killed say they forgive you really makes it all better.
It probably didn't even answer your question hah....sorry
2007-07-01 15:58:29 · answer #5 · answered by Miss*Blue 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
lol i grew to become into gonna say what skepsis reported i might have my husband by using my area and might say to him , "Honey, I on no account informed you this..." and then die No, it is mean. i might say "i admire you"
2017-01-23 07:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by nokes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, christian propaganda!
They even made up a lie that Charles Darwin repented on his death bed, though they were quickly discovered and rebuked! Incredibly, a few really stupid christians still believe it!
There is little they will not stoop to in pushing their ignorance!
2007-07-01 10:23:25 · answer #7 · answered by billystinkfinger 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋