Is it possible to forgive someone who has shown no remorse? Should you?
2007-11-01 07:42:58 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
Since forgiveness is the ultimate act of selflessness it has to be approached WITHOUT the self in mind. That means that forgiveness has to be about the act of forgiveness itself, and not the mitigating factors that make it easier for you (well at least they're sorry; they didn't mean it; or it was a minor thing.)
Now I do not suggest that forgiveness means acceptance - you do not have to be okay with the wrong done to you. Nor does it mean you should not be wary... if someone has ripped you off and is not sorry, you'd be wise to avoid being in a position where it can happen again.
On the other hand, forgiveness DOES mean letting go of the anger, and the hope for retribution or karma. And you have to be able to do that for anyone - whether they deserve it or not.
2007-11-01 07:50:07 · answer #1 · answered by evolver 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible and is very important to do so. You are, in a sense, forgiving for the other person's sake, however, the forgivness factor heals YOU and your negative "vibes". Yes, you should forgive others no matter what - even if they don't show remorse.
2007-11-01 08:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the saying goes "To err is human. to forgive is divine"
But, let me take you to the biblical way.
If we really are a Christian, we must forgive the people who sins against us, so that our prayer to God will be heard.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Let us remove the anger in our hearts.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
2007-11-01 07:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't forgiveness based on repentance?
Some people think of the account where Jesus told a disciple to forgive up to 77 times 7 (or something to that effect). So some think this means you must forgive people forever and always. Not so.
If I beat you up and apologize, you forgive me. Then I do it the next day and the next and the next. What do you think? Should you forgive me? Based on what? I obviously am not sorry.
Sometimes you can forgive to a certain degree. To illustrate: a husband cheats on his wife and confesses. She forgives him. They go on. He does it again. Confesses. She forgives. They go on. The next time, she forgives to the extent of letting it go but files for divorce. Why? Well aside from the very obvious reasons, she is not obligated to stay with a man who cheats - even if he only did it once. God gives her the right to divorce. It's up to her. He has exposed her to STD's, the possibility of out of wedlock children, and so on. But she can forgive to the extent of letting go of any bitterness. But she does not have to forgive to the extent of staying with him. Do you see?
Generally speaking, forgiveness is based upon repentance.
Hannah J Paul
2007-11-01 07:54:24 · answer #4 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Yes, it is not your concern whether another is repentant or not, you are not their judge. In fact it is possible to forgive others even while they are in the midst of the actions for which they are being forgiven. The sooner you forgive the sooner you can move on. Why attach yourself to the pain of others and in so doing cause your own suffering?
2007-11-01 07:59:26 · answer #5 · answered by Tamara S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's harder to forgive someone who hasn't repented. I'm forgiving by nature... no matter what the crime (and I've been the receiver of some really bad ones, including, but not limited to, rape)
If the person is truly sorry, I cannot help but forgive them. It is my nature. Occasinally I've been mad (for good reason) and tried to withhold forgiveness... but if they're truly sorry, I just can't.
When they aren't sorry, though, then it does take some effort. It is possible, and good to do for your own sake, because unforgiveness is as poison. Possible, but much harder.
2007-11-01 07:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by Khana S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I could forgive them. It may take a while so that I can get enough distance from it to have the detachment to look at the situation clearly. But whether or not they repent is between them & their diety, not between them & me. My part is to carry on my spiritual journey & holding on to someone else's baggage is not the way to progress.
2007-11-01 07:50:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not repented add that mistake to his sin
but in your said you don't Grudge and take the save way to forgive because you cant know he repent or not
James 5:9-11
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
you can pray for him , for he is not worthy for absolution.
you can love him ,you can forgive him, but God know.
2007-11-01 08:16:31 · answer #8 · answered by Mosa A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would probably try to; because to not forgive them means that you continue to give them the power to make you miserable. To choose to forgive means that you are free, regardless of whether they have "learned their lesson" or not.
That being said, I would not trust them as much the second time, and not at all the third.
2007-11-01 07:47:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgive them for your own benefit. Holding a grudge hurts you not the person you're holding it against. I realize this is a hard thing to do, but it is possible.
2007-11-01 07:48:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋