“But, Papa, should we not forgive him?”
“No, my Son, we don’t forgive.”
“But why, Papa?”
“Judgement comes before forgiveness.”
“I don’t understand, Papa.”
“To forgive is to judge.”
From Eric:
What do you think, folks? This is something that I have mulled over for years – and remain challenged.
When/if you respond, please do not quote Scripture or some dead guy.
I would like to hear your voice, your words.
Thank you.
************ Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2016 ************
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To forgive is not to judge… Someone may have offended us but it is just our feelings not judging whether what they did is right or wrong.
Well, there is the situation where someone comes up to you and says, “Please forgive me for ___” and you say, “What is there to forgive you for? You’ve done nothing. But if you feel you need it, you have my forgiveness.” Tada, forgiveness without judgment.
To me, the meaning of this (of not being able to forgive without having first judged) is three-fold. First, forgive the past. No matter how non-judgmental you may be now, you’ve probably made some judgments in the past and need to forgive. Second, no matter how much you don’t want to judge, you’re probably going to backslide a little, especially when caught off guard or especially stressed. So the picture is true, but the judging wasn’t on purpose. And thirdly, to forgive ourselves. Because I don’t know about you, but even when I can refrain from judging others, I am constantly observing and judging myself. That, to me, is the hardest struggle. Not so much in forgiving myself but in not assigning a value to each and every one of my actions.
When you forgive somebody,the judgement is annuled.
Thank you, George,
For your visit and sharing.
Peace,
Eric
Eric, First, thank you for the like on my recent post, Be Afraid!…. Though I do not believe in a supreme being, but rather an inspirited cosmos. Both by my view and the concept of an omniscient and omnipresent figure, it is always judging and forgiving, being judged and being forgiven. I tackled this in an earlier post. In the case of a a terror- attack like Paris, “God” is the victims, the terrorists, the bystanders and everything and everyone else, near or far.
Since we are not aware, consciously, of this presence, we judge, forgive or forget or have some other reaction. I tend to believe that when we judge, it is a burden. we place on our selves and others. When we forgive, we release that burden. I’m not happy with the word burden, but it’s as close as I can get.
Always good to think about these questions. I’ve always liked your posts, but don’t receive them anymore. I not sure why.
Peace,
Phil
Hello Phil,
Yes, that word “burden” does carry some connotations and perhaps not the best choice, I agree.
You opened up a train of thought by labeling everyone, in an atrocious incident such as Paris, as victims. At a certain, this is very true, I believe.
I don’t get to write as regularly as I would like too and perhaps that’s why you don’t see many posts from me.
Peace, Phil, yes, peace,
Eric
Empathy requires awareness while judgement is a subconscious reflex. Forgiveness can be the work of a lifetime, the survival of a young planet.
I like that – “Forgiveness can be the work of a lifetime, the survival of a young planet.”
You’ve taken it to places I would not ordinarily have ventured.
Thank you indeed,
Eric
Reblogged this on Iconography ♠ Incomplete and commented:
A very pithy and intelligent way of understanding judgment and forgiveness. There is some judgment in anything. But forgiveness comes from an analytical debate that includes some judgment. So having judgment is not the same as being judgmental and this distinction is something very well presented by Eric Alagan.
Thank you for reblogging. Much appreciated 🙂
This is true. It depends on what kind of judgment and what kind of forgiveness. Some people judge without having much forgiveness or patience. And some people forgive without understanding what they have forgiven. This was incredibly intelligent. I loved the philosophy that was very, well crafted. Go, you 🙂
Oh my dear, how did I ever miss these comments. My apologies.
I bow to your words of praises and also adding value to my post with your well thought through comment.
Thank you so much!
Oh my dear, how did I ever miss these comments. My apologies.
I bow to your words of praises and also adding value to my post with your well thought through comment.
Thank you so much!
You have no idea how deep this has struck into the very heart of me. All human life is relative. I am not the first to say that. The only way to make yourself feel better is to look at others and say, “Man, at least I am not like that. I am superior to you.” Forgiveness may be Devine, but it is steeped in audacity.
Tim
Hello Tim,
I’m truly glad that this post resonated for you.
I’ve always marveled at the power of words – the pen definitely continues to outdo the sword, I reckon.
Thank you for your visit and comment, and all good wishes,
Eric