Should rape victims forgive the rapist? Should abused kids forgive the parents?
2007-12-29 07:52:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sure. But let's not confuse 'forgiving' someone with 'excusing' them. Forgiving your rapist or crappy parents may (will?) help you to get over it. However, that isn't to say that you should excuse what those people did.
It can be a very fine line. Forgiving, as you say, is 'ideal.'
That is, it is a pinnacle behavior that we should all shoot for, but shouldn't take it too hard if we fail.
Again, forgiving is not excusing. Forgiving is, 'You screwed up, and I'm letting it slide.' Excusing is, 'You screwed up, but it somehow isn't your fault.'
Let's not confuse the two.
2007-12-29 08:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by eine kleine nukedmusik 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Forgiveness is always good for the person doing the forgiving.
2007-12-29 07:58:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness is essential for every christian to expirience a joyful and healthy spiritial life. Think of it this way...Jesus always forgives us no matter what we've done right? With that said...christian means to be Christ-like, so in order to be Christ-like we must forgive all!
2007-12-29 07:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by none 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they don't the abuse will remain in their minds... forgiveness is not for the abusers... it is a means of finding peace for those abused. I forgive because I push the judgment for God to deal with bastards... as for me... I can accept what happened and find a means to go on.
2007-12-29 07:57:49 · answer #4 · answered by onefinefeller 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because in this action of actual forgiveness, they can realize peace of mind, undo hardness of heart and potential life flattening bitterness and hate. They have to learn to forgive the sinner, and hope for God's grace for the sinner. they do not have to condone or forgive the sin or wrongdoing itself, no way, but the sinner? Yes... In this way they can begin true soul and spirit healing for themselves and return to a life of happiness and faith. God hates the sin and loves the sinner, and we are charged to learn to love one another the way God, Jesus loves us. And that means to forgive the sinner, not the sin.
True forgiveness results in a mind that when the person they forgave passes through it, it is harmless not unhealthy thought.
2007-12-29 08:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When there is genuine repentance. In some cases reparation is appropriate, like when Zacchaeus said to Jesus, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
2007-12-29 09:29:48 · answer #6 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness has at least 5 levels. 1) to want to harm the perp. 2) to want him harmed 3) to be willing to be around him,,, to want to help him 4) to trust him 5)to take his sin and GIVE him righteousness FOR it. 1,2 seem directed by the faith. 5 only YHVH can do. work out 3,4 based on the individual, and the situation.
2007-12-29 07:59:11 · answer #7 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
forgive yes, but they certainly does not mean that they have to ever let them around them again.
2007-12-29 07:59:40 · answer #8 · answered by 777 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness is good...However it doesn't mean that you have to forget!
2007-12-29 07:59:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
if possible..
2007-12-29 07:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋