As a mother, I know that the "ultimate loss" would be losing a child, not being murdered.
This father has suffered the ultimate loss.
Because JESUS commands us to.
I agree that this guy is an idiot for forgiving Zarwhehaw. But about forgiveness...forgiveness as taught by Jesus means to let go of the expectation of punishment and justice. To tell someone that you forgive the debt of justice that they owe but that they still must pay is to make your forgiveness meaningless. If you want justice, seek justice. If you want to forgive, then forgive. But don't seek justice while pretending to be forgiving at the same time.
If I have to pay, I am unforgiven my debt. If you forgive me let me go.
Matthew 18:23-33
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'
I wanted to add that forgiving the impenitant is also meaningless.
Right on!
Murdering an innocent and helpless human is something for which there is no forgiveness. I believe the father's publicizing this is a political move colored as an ethical act. It seems that the liberal forces believe that Saddam wasn't evil too.
During our time on earth we have a responsibility to fight evil when it crosses our path, not forgive it. If one forgives Satan's minions and sides against the forces that are fighting evil, what type of testimony does that person bear during their judgement?
I'll get flamed for this, but I believe its spiritual treason.