To forgive is a wonderful thing. But forgiveness is not to come without knowing "why" one is forgiving. Jesus knew precisely why he asked forgiveness for his accusers, persecutors and executioners: Because they did not know what they were doing.
I do not believe that one should forgive for the sake of blindly forgiving. I blame the religious system - called by men - Christianity for indoctrinating people with a type of forgiveness teaching Christ never taught.
"Christianity" has a full history of bloodshed and the oppression of others. Namely, The Spanish Inquisition, The Crusades, The Salem Witch Trials, it's involvement in war, and what I take personally - The African Slave Trade.
It was a Roman Catholic Pope - Pope Nicholas V - who sanctioned and endorsed the Slave Trade. He was a racist and bigot.
The United States of America and much of Europe (especially Great Britain) who was actively involved in The African Slave Trade and becoming wealthy from it (Christian nations), NEVER apologized to the people whose ancestors that enslaved!
It seems to me that "Christianity" is always the first to point out the atrocities and heinous acts of others and demanding what it does to be overlooked, justified or forgiven but not prone to forgive others.
When people - in this case Black church folk who get on television - and forgive, what is this REALLY? It gives all racist and bigots (many of whom hide behind Christianity such as the KKK) a license to murder Black people (or anyone else) with the belief that those poor people have a forgiving mindset.
The media is eating this stuff up. The Black ministers and politicians are playing it all up as well and lying beneath the surface is money. A lot of money is going to be made from this event and everyone is in on the game!
I blame Christianity for that. This is not what Christ had in mind with regards forgiveness.
True forgiveness cannot be superficial and just mere words spoken. It has to be a part of you. In your blood, bones and marrow. It has to come from deep from within. True forgiveness can only be given from love. If those offended are not willing to give their lives up for this man, then they do not love him. So how can they have forgiven him? Jesus gave his life up even for those who hated him.
I am doubtful that the family claiming to have forgiven Roof REALLY forgave Roof. They said what they said as it sounded like the right thing to say. Inside, them is grief and hurt and anger.
I submit as well that it is wrong of the media and anyone else to ask any person victim to such a thing, "Do you forgive this person?" What a terrible thing to say!
Forgiveness should be "private." It should be something the individual resolves within himself. When Jesus asked his Father to forgive his accusers, persecutors and executioners, he did not announce from the torture stake to those people "I forgive you." They would never know from Jesus' own lips that he forgave them. Neither did they know or understand that the very "act" of Jesus dying was for their benefit.
Why is it then, we think that we must announce to all of the world when we have forgiven someone. It should be by what we do with regards those we forgive (privately) that shows that we have TRULY forgiven someone.
Words and holding "Bible Studies" are powerless and do nothing. These are all superficial things. (That is how this world wants us, superficial beings). It is what we do in showing love towards friend and foe alike that proves that one is a disciple of Christ - not words.
Jesus said at John 13:35: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Love is an "action" not words spoken.
Christianity is not from Christ, it is from men. It is actually the enemy to Christs teachings. (Christ never call himself a Christian. He never called his disciples Christians and never commanded such a thing. His disciples never called each other Christians. What men call Christianity is an impostor. It's coming was foretold by Christ at Matthew 24:4-5)
It has created mental dysfunction and impairment in the masses on the earth. Even among the sincere and innocent.
