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Thu 5 May, 2005 12:15 am
Forgiveness, from what I can tell is a confusing subject.
Some feel it is a desire to say 'its ok' no matter what happens. If someone does something evil, just say 'its ok' and do not try to hold them accountable. The parable of turning the other cheek was a popular one with this view. This view has led to alot of negative connotations with forgiveness.
Now however there is more of a view of letting go of anger. If someone harms you, there is nothing wrong with wanting them to be chastised, but you are supposed to let go of anger and hate towards them for what they did. However this view makes no sense. Consider the pope's forgiveness of Mehmet Ali Agca, who tried to assassinate him. The Pope said he forgave him, but he did not try to get him out of prison where he was being punished for his acts. How can a person forgive if they do not crave punishment or retribution? Is forgiveness the desire to hold someone accountable while not causing them suffering? I do not understand because most of the more famous forgivers I have seen still put the person who wronged them in prison, so how can you let go of a desire to hurt someone if you still want them to go to prison? What is forgiveness then if it is not the desire to cease to harm others? Is it the desire to hold people accountable without causing them pain?
Re: What is forgiveness
Lao Tzu
Forgiveness can be based on the idea that the agressor doesn't know what he is doing. It is the case of Socrates and Jesus. That supposes a superiority of the victim, because the victim has, or think he has, that knowledge.
I reject this kind of forgiveness.
But there is another perspective - that also can be found in Jesus- and it is the acceptance that we all, along our lives, do bad things, caused suffering to other human beings. The acceptance that we are not perfect, that the social image we like to give has little to do with our inner selves. That we are not so far of the agressor as it seems.
Anyone who asks it can have my forgiveness. Of course, they will have to have done something to me to need it first. But the asking must be sincere or I will turn my back. Forgiveness is the reconciling between people. At times forgiveness is only possible after punishment, other times it is easy to forgive. I think the ego plays a part. A bruised ego wants heads to roll.
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