[Lurker]

I never expected the Amish to so completely miss the point regarding the Christian doctrine of forgiveness.

One can only forgive a sinner after he asks for forgiveness and promises never to do wrong again.

The dirtball who killed those children never asked for forgiveness. Therefore it's impossible to forgive him in the Christian sense.

L

[blu]

Therefore it's impossible to forgive him in the Christian sense.

This is the umpteenth time I have heard this. I feel it's only fair for you to tell us what brand of Christianity you practice. Are you Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran? I ask because, as a Catholic, I was never taught that I could only issue forgiveness to those who asked for it. It, to me, is a very odd concept.

[FancyFrogPants]

I never expected the Amish to so completely miss the point regarding the Christian doctrine of forgiveness. One can only forgive a sinner after he asks for forgiveness and promises never to do wrong again.

I think you have missed the point of forgiveness, it's not given for the sake of the sinner it is releasing the burden off the person who was sinned against. Jesus said "father forgive them" even tho none of those in the crowd was asking for forgiveness nor repenting. It is Christian to forgive when not asked.