Posted by
flagwaver on Monday, October 09, 2006 8:32:31 PM
I was reading the column at the 'Hall by Jeff Jacoby on the Amish and their forgiveness of the man that raped and murdered their daughters and after reading it and the responses to it I felt compelled to write this.
There seems to be a lot of unforgiveness in the minds and hearts of the posters at this site, especially on this issue, and it is being unfairly directed at the Amish. There is the attitude expressed by my good friend BrianR and others that the Amish cannot offer forgiveness to the murderer or to his family. I beg to differ with this assessment.
While man cannot forgive sin, as that is the sole purview of God, man is commanded to forgive those that trespass against him. The Lord's Prayer says so, and the verses immediately following, Matthew 6:14-15 make it plain that we are to forgive our fellow man his trespasses. Matthew 18:21-35, 2 Corinthians 2:5-8, and Colossians 3:12-13 also deal with this subject.
We are supposed to be willing, able, and ready to let go of our anger, our hurt, and our need for vengeance and show forgiveness to those that hurt or offend us. Forgiveness, as one of the posters noted, is an active process. It is so much more than saying "I forgive you" and smiling; it is deciding everyday that we will not be consumed with anger, hurt, and hatred. It is trusting that God will see that justice is done to those that hurt us and resting assured that He will be true to His word to us.
There is has also been the sentiment expressed that the Amish could only exist here and are somehow indebted to America for their survival. That is true as far as it goes, but what does it have to do with the situation at hand? I do not understand the vitriol being hurled at a group that bothers no one, minds their own business, and has decided to keep itself separate from modern society. I mean, we conservatives have a field day complaining about, and dissecting the problems of our current society; we have a good old time talking about how debauched and hedonistic the culture has become, yet we attack the Amish for withdrawing for that same society! What are we doing, what are we saying when we criticize those people for simply living their faith?
While the Amish may not join the military and defend the country, they are doing the same as any other person that does not serve in that way. They are good citizens, they pay their taxes, and they make a positive contribution to their communities. Is that not enough for us to show them the respect they deserve as fellow citizens? Does military service now become a criteria for solid citizenship, and if so where does that leave me? I never served in the military, does that now mean that I am not a good, solid citizen?
The Amish are simply trying to live the Gospel as they see it and should be respected for doing so. I do not understand all their religious beliefs and will not try to dissect them, but I will show them respect. I respect that they are doing the best they can to practice Christian forgiveness, and respect them for it. In my opinion that puts them one step closer to godliness, and there is nothing wrong with that.
And if that makes me a pollyanna, or sanctimonious then so be it. I believe the Amish are to be commended to for the forgiveness they have extended and will receive their reward in heaven. So save your anger and acrimony for the perpetrator of the crime, not the surviving victims.
They deserve our prayers, our condolences, and any support we can offer them in this tragic time. So please find it in your hearts to give that to them.
They deserve nothing less.