Date Posted:15:04 Author: Hendrik - 24 May 2001 Subject: Re: Forgiveness In reply to:
ketch - 24 May 2001
's message, "Forgiveness" on 15:03
I do not know how far forgiveness is possible. It surely isn't easy. One may honestly say and believe one forgives someone, but after some months the old negative feelings may come up again.
But what is forgiving? Have we really been treated in a wrong way, or do we just believe we were? And do WE have the authority to forgive what others have done? And what if the hurt that was done to us has helped us to progress in the long run, though with much pain - has it to be forgiven then?
I feel somewhat uneasy when I have to 'forgive' someone - like someone who has to judge without wanting it. If forgiving is just a reaction in order to abandon our own feelings of resentment, is it not more useful to fight our emotional shortcomings - then forgiveness might not be necessary because there is nothing to forgive.
