Last week the demon pictured above reared it's ugly head, walked into a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina and murdered 9 African-American men and women who actually had the nerve to think that they were safe during bible study. He shot and killed these people after they accepted him into their sanctuary to worship with them.
It was a heinous crime fueled by racism, hatred, and inhumanity. There is no question about that!
My prayers go out to the families of the victims, the community, the sad, the sorrowful and the outraged. But I must admitt that I was shocked by the rush to forgive this animal. If seemed to me that there was almost instant forgiveness even though their was no request for forgiveness from this "mans" family, there has been no sign of remorse, no sign of regret, and no kind of apology from this "man", his family or those who are in a sense acting as co-conspirators by still insisting that one of the inspirations for this crime, the conferate flag, continue to be flown in the city with pride. Yet, some in the community have chosen to forgive with lightening fast speed as if somebody kicked their dogs, scratched their car, Or stepped on their feet. This evil excuse for a human being, walked into a 150 year old historically black church and murdered 9 innocent people including an 87 year old woman and the pastor of the church who also happened to be a public official on a Wednesday, and he should be forgiven on a Friday? Keep in mind that Michael Vick still hasn't been forgiven for dog fighting and he wasn't even there when it happened!
Of course it's right to forgive in principal, and it is undoubtedly the Christian thing to do. But Jesus does not expect us to be Jesus. In fact, Jesus once walked in the flesh and knows what's it's like to be as we are. He isn't expecting perfection, because he knows that only he is perfect. With that being said, is this quick forgiveness an attempt to show the ultimate reflection of who Jesus Christ is, or a gesture to reassure some white people that black people will not seek "pay back", retaliation, or revenge. If this is the case, then forgiveness is a waste.
PR
The families who expressed forgiveness know that they must go on with their lives; they know that they must forgive those who "trespass" against them--the Lord's Prayer says that. While God knows that we are not perfect, I believe that He wants us to strive toward that goal. Christ, at his crucifixion said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" and this was after they pierced his side, and nailed his feet and hands to the cross and put a crown of thorns on His head. I was amazed that the families offered forgiveness so soon after the massacre, but I guess that is the time to forgive--while it's fresh.
ReplyDeleteI know you're right about forgiveness. But it just seems much too soon to me.
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