Quote:
Originally Posted by ATLian
Now that I don't fight, I need to forgive people who mistreat others for me to shake off ill-feelings. Yes, I forgave Saddam for killing Iraqis. For me, forgiveness is the most selfish positive thing you can do to yourself
OK, assume John Doe comes to your house and kills your entire family, then beats you half to death. How would you react if some total stranger, who has no idea what you went through since he has never even met you, sends you an SMS saying he forgives John Doe. WTF? How does that make sense? You cannot forgive someone who did not harm you directly. By definition of the word, forgiveness is directed to those who have harmed you.
I think it's quite arrogant to sit in the luxury of your house and forgive Pol Pot for everything he did to Cambodia, yet you never suffered with the Cambodians, you have no idea what they went through, and you don't even know any Cambodians!
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ATLian, you quoted it, yet you missed it. I noted that me forgiving someone who has wronged others is for my own sake; I noted that forgiveness is "selfish". It helps me get rid of ill-will and a hurting heart.
Someone forgiving Doe for killing my family doesn't mean that Doe will get away with what he has done. If you read the link I gave, you could have understood the fact that whatever forgiveness one gives or receives, the offending party must himself/herself repent to benefit from the forgiveness. If you get the time, please read the link that I gave (don't fear reading, ATLian). There is no point of rewinding the story here.