Forgiveness

[Az]

I am sitting here watching a series from Japan called Dectective Academy Q. Probably not everyone's taste but there is a theme running through it that I find interesting.

The series revolves around the invetigations of some student detectives and the cases they find themself thrust into (isn't it always the way). These crimes are typically murder. The investigation ensues and the case gets solved. Nothing special here. But then when the criminal is finally confronted instead of simply comdemning them they are challenged to see the error of their ways and there is hope that they can find their way back to society in time.

It seems a minor thing. But it is actually a huge difference in cultures. In the US when a criminal is confronted there is shame and derision. Even abuse is acceptable to heap upon them. They are discarded from society and no expectation is had that they will ever be fit for society again.

Our society is soaked through with the notions of forgiving people. And yet in practice there seems to be an absense of forgiveness. It seems as if when someone is caught doing wrong in our society there is nothing as delightful as locking them up and throwing away the key. We seem to offer no hope for the individual to find their way back into our society.

Where does this disconnect with the professed teachings of forgiveness lose sight of the practice of forgiveness? Why do you suppose we have become such a vengence oriented society? Even our entertainment is filled with examples of vengence being distributed to those we so rightously deem to be deserving of it.

Court TV. Celeberity trials. The Dominant shows on prime time are Law and Order shows.

So any insite? Why can't we forgive? Particularly considering that so many are expecting to be forgiven.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I think there is a basic difference in the religious/cultural foundation

of the country. The puritan roots of the US spouts a lot about forgiveness, but if you look at the Salem witch trials and such, first one must suffer a lot, and forgiveness comes AFTER death.
The implication is that it is not up to the people to forgive, only to punish.
Puritanism ethics imply that if you are a good person you will lead a good life and be rich. If you are not rich you must be a bad person. This is implicit in the derogatory term used by so many fundies about the "welfare state" and and other government agencies that are designed to help the less fortunate.
Puritans were the forerunners of Social Darwinism. If you are good, you will be rich. If you are not rich, too bad. Survival of the richest.
That is what underlies the philosophy of the Western "Justice" system, not forgiveness.
In fact, when a victim, or the family of victim, shows forgiveness to the perpetrator of the crime against them, it makes headlines and a prime time news story. It is that rare.
EDIT: I forgot to mention what hypocrites most of these puritanical fundamentalists are.

[On the Road]

2. Stangely Enough, Shelock Holmes,

in a number of cases, also chose not to punish criminals but allowed them to escape unpunished.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

3. because we aren't taught the one fact about forgiveness ....it is not so..

much meant for the wrong doer as it is meant for the wronged...because unforgiveness is toxic to ones self (mind, body and soul)...i believe of God that She is in the happieness business and She makes these rules for our own happieness ....."forgive seventy times seven"...so that we may remain happy and healthy and sane

just my $0.02

[ktowntennesseedem]

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

[Selwynn]

4. I think its circular

I think the absense of other's forgiveness one experiences in their own lives, combined with an inability to forgive one's self creates the conditions in which celebreating someone elses failure gives a tiny degree of temporary comfort and punishing somone (rubbing their nose in it) rather than forgiving someone I think has to do with that thing inside of us that sometimes wants someone else to feel as bad (in this case unforgived) as we feel...

[YankeyMCC]

6. The Death Penalty: An American History

by Stuart Banner

Touches on this I think, you might find it interesting if you haven't already.

In the early years the community saw saving the perp as the most important thing. Of course it was mostly a religious thing.

Sometime in the late 19th century American's started emphasizing the "other" in criminals. There was something "wrong" with them and the non-criminals were "above" falling into the same mistakes. So the emphasis became punishment.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. forgiveness is the key

to change in behavior. And one must start with forgiveness of one's own self-of one's misperceptions. Forgiveness is a practice strongly taught by my Pir and the Murshids.

I think that one reason forgiveness is not stressed in the US is our concept of society, which has changed dramatically since I was a child. Television has had a great influence on mass perception, and tends to portray things in terms of black/white simplicity. Punishment fits the sense of judgement that has been encouraged in our society.