I understand the point that Narkissos makes, and I agree with him.
I sense - and when I say sense, it means that I feel but am not able to easily verbalize or put into words [at least not easily at the present moment] - something manipulative and even a little sinister afoot here. I sense a group with a - dare I say it? - "political" agenda.
This woman's ability to forgive is extremely admirable; and in this respect I do not doubt her sincerity at all.
I am highly distrustful of the expression, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior." In fact, I often feel a low degree of nausea when I hear it, and for several reasons.
1.) Often [not always, but often], there is another phrase, either explicitly stated or implicitly "hinted" at, that if a person [ I or anyone else] does not accept Jesus as one's personal savior, the consequences will be eternal damnation and perdition. This idea I find offensive in the extreme. The notion is that all other people, all Buddhists; Hindus, Moslems, Jews; Sihks; Jains; and others stand condemned in God's eyes simply because of their own sincere beliefs. This is a hateful, and essentially hate-filled, idea that is too disgusting and absurd to even respond to.
2.) Often, [again, not always, but often], the phrase "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior" is uttered by smug and ignorant people who know little, if absolutely nothing, about Christianity or other religions in the world. All religions offer a path to the Transcendent Divinity, if that is what people are looking for. All religions are equally good in that they allow their followers to transcend their selffish and self-centered egos and reach a higher realm beyond quotidien cares and preoccupations. In short, if there exists an Infinite Godhead, it is only logical to assume that there are an infinite number of paths available to reach this Transcendent Being. But it is also logical to assume that the path that a particular person chooses should best fit the local conditions in which a person finds him or herself. Religion is just part of a greater social and cultural matrix or reality, Religion is connected to history; to art; to literature; to philosophy; to music; and to language. All these things "come together" and are interconnected. My basic point is that it is probably best for a person to adhere to the particular religion and culture into which he or she was born. Of course, I am not against conversion per se. If a person wants to change religions, then he or she should most definitely be free to do so. But there is always a danger that a person can become "disorientated" if (s)he strays out of his or her own religious tradition. And besides, there really is no pressing need to change one's religion, given that all religions lead to the same "place" ultimately. I have read that this is the attitude of the Dalai Lama. When people ask him, "How can I become a Tibetan Buddhist?", he responds, "Why would you want to? You already have Christianity [or Islam, or Judaism, or Hinduism, whatever the case may be]." This leads to the third reason for my distrust and suspicions.
3.) I am especially leery of people uttering the phrase, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior," if these people are coming from a tradition other than a Christian one. Given that they have left their own tradition and entered one which is "alien" to them, I feel that they are "ripe for" abuse and manipulation. Of course, the reverse is also true - Those who leave their own Judeo-Christian religious tradition to become Hindus or Buddhists or whatever, are prone to being abused and manipulated by dishonest characters. Every religion has its "bad strains," its abusive and unsavory aspects. Even Tibetan Buddhism has its negative elements. People need to be extremely careful when choosing a "guru,' or a savior/messiah.
What I do not understand is why this lady could not be content with her own Buddhist tradition. Buddhism also offers a wonderful "template" or model for forgiveness. In its essence, Buddhism is a wonderful religion that teaches peace; reverance for life; and forgiveness. There was really no need for her to leave her tradition behind and adopt the "alien" Christian religion. And Christianity is decidedly an alien religion for far Eastern people. Far Eastern people are born and raised in an entirely different cultural "constellation" of philosophic; artistic; literary; folkloric; aesthetic; and musical norms.
When this lady says, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior," I tend to feel that she has been manipulated by charlatans. If anybody says that there is but one way to salvation, they are a liar and a fraud. Such an attitude is not compatible with any true essence of religion,
I understand Narkissos' point that the "factory" that produced the napalm is the same one that gave issue to the phrase "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior." Whereas each may have been produced in different and separate "shops," they were both evidently produced in the same American "factory." Too often, the phrase in question constitutes a mindless cliche; it reflects the ignorant babbling of American hypocrites. The lady herself is obviously sincere. Nonetheless, there remains the strong suspicion that she has been manipulated psychologically.