Very simple yet not simplistic.In my experience forgiveness takes a conscious effort to do what I most resist inside, but I also know if I overcome this hurdle of resentment, will lead to healing beyond what I can envision.

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Jim H this is for you. Your story sounds just like mine. Seems to me like being too nice gets one no respect in this day and age. I trust people less and less because of it. I will pray for you, for a better job and much better friends.

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barb, riboos, and yes all, if we don't try to make the world better, who will?
It has to begin with baby steps, then giant steps and yes Mother may I?
We need to be bigger than those who take advantage, and we must channel our energies to positives, don't give the evil doers our time and make a place better than we found it;-0
have a great day

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I forgive those who have hurt me, It has made me stronger and peaceful, my heart is lighter. Peace is Possible after the perfect storm has passed.

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Barbara,

You've made some very interesting points, things that proponents of blanket forgiveness would have a difficult time trying to rationalize.

Your comment, "Why should I forgive someone for a crime when they keep doing it?" is the defining point for me: If humans claim the title of "superior species," then we must ALL act the part. If we don't, we can't claim that crown. If we're not the "superior species," it still leaves us collectively with no right to continue our behaviours. So long as there is one human that murders, tortures, abuses and terrorizes other creatures, the entire species is culpable and cannot claim to be "superior."

And let's look at the definition of "superior," too, while we're at it. An adequately evolved species would have symmetry in terms of psychological and physical evolution. That's clearly not the case with humans whatsoever, as this species makes all sorts of tools, but doesn't have the maturity to know NOT to use those tools. There's no self-control. There's not even an incling there, the internal control that says, "Just because I made this tool doesn't mean I should use it, or that it's innately a good thing." Most of our "tools" are not "good," if you think about it carefully. And our collective use of them? Destruction of the environment, and terrorization of other species. A so-called "superior" species would do that."

So, like you, I don't forgive animal torturers, there can be none for repeat offenders.

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Rooibos Bird I'm with you! The concept of forgiveness is all very well but the people who perpetrate the crimes that we hate them for are still going ahead and spreading their poison and never, ever consider asking for forgiveness. I used to go to church and kneel and confess my sins against my fellow man....in actual fact I try to live a decent life and to hurt no-one... then I would come home and my neighbours from hell would continue their abuse of my family. Why did I grovel and ask for forgiveness..it did no good. They drove us from our home and I still hate them. My husband and my mother were neglected by doctors and they both died, I will never forgive that. And people who perform vivisection on animals in laboratories, test products on animals, hunt, shoot, abuse animals, declaw cats, I hate them all, why should I forgive them when they keep on doing it? And people who abuse children and old people, I hate them too.
I can't roll over and love anyone like this and I'm certain I neither would be able to or even want to forgive them their sins.

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I'm so angry with humans right now for the CONSTANT abuses I see and hear about done to animals, I will never, ever forgive. I can't. It's gone too far, humans have had long enough to evolve and change, and I don't see it happening. I will not forgive for abuse inflicted on animals, and I will bodily harm any human I catch in the act. I don't have time to wait for humans to catch a clue, and neither can the animals around the world, suffering.

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Love finds a way.

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FORGIVENESS IS GOOD FOR OUR SOUL.

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I am pulling, Jim, I am pulling...
Don't you feel it? ;-)

All the best to you and to everyone.

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