Pope Gunman Grief-Stricken Over John Paul's Death

Comparisons are still allowed. Besides, everybody is still coming down from last week.

Well, maybe not everybody. Some have that satisfied look ~ like the cat that just ate the pet goldfish.

Did Jesus tell the disciples to forgive only those of their brothers who came up to the mark? I think he said "You must forgive...seventy times seven." He also said something about not doing good for people only if they could pay you back for it ... even the tax collectors would do that.

But why be Christian about it? Keep hate alive!

So, I gather you believe the 9-11 families should come out and forgive Osama and that the Jews should forgive Hitler? BTW, deary, I don't hate anyone. Hating someone is completely different then not forgiving them a week after they murdered their wife. Also, only God can truly forgive anyone. Your forgiveness is just intellectual, moral and emotional masturbation meant to please only yourself and to make you feel oh so gooood! I pray for him. But, I wonder why he wouldn't have the decency to give Terri's parents the lock of her hair that they begged him for before he incinerated her. Do we just give him carte blanche on the whole forgiveness thing, no matter how beastly he is to her parents? Do you also think he should be forgiven for not letting them have her body present for a Catholic funeral? Is there anyone you don't forgive? Pol Pot, Joseph Stalin, Charles Manson, Saddam Hussein? Just checking for a little intellectual honesty here. Of course, that would require an intellect. Oh, that's right, I'm just trying to keep the hate alive!

I advise you to read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis on the subject of forgiveness. He covers the necessity of the Jews forgiving Hitler quite thoroughly. I think you mistake the meaning of forgiveness -- after all, John Paul II did not require the authorities to release his would-be murderer; he allowed the consequences of that action to be suffered as they ought to be. Forgiveness stops the poison you are accumulating in your own soul by nurturing evil wishes and clining to your anger and frustration under the delusion that by doing this you are hurting someone else.

I am fighting with this every day, too, and there are many days that I make absolutely no progress. But the only fight that cannot be won is the one that is not carried forward. I'm trying to carry forward. It wouldn't hurt you to give it a try, too.

Remember "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?" What do you think that was all about?

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