Originally posted by RJHinds
That is a good start toward the answer. But the main idea is when you
forgive someone that has come back in humility and apologizes, do you
feel your act of forgiveness also benefits you in any way?

Originally posted by trev33
Is forgiveness from yourself just as, more so or not as important than forgiveness from the person to whom you're apologizing to?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Judaism is based upon the Mosaic Law, it has ordinances which require reparation to be
made, regardless of what the Mishna recommends, i can list them if you like. Islamic
law also requires that some form of reparation be made, that is why you will often find
those involved in a lawsuit willing to give/take payment as a reparation for some cri ...[text shortened]... thus, in this respect superior and for this
i make no apology, nor will i be induced to do so.

Originally posted by sonhouse
For me, forgiveness or not should have nothing to do with what a religion says about the issue. It is pretty simple, does the person causing the slight come back with humility or is he or she just being arrogant? That makes the difference for me.

I have a hard time with forgiveness in the face of blatant arrogance or lack of remorse.

Originally posted by trev33
Is forgiveness from yourself just as, more so or not as important than forgiveness from the person to whom you're apologizing to?

Originally posted by yo its me
? You must have heard the Lords prayer??
a refrence;

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Originally posted by twhitehead
Thanks for the reference, I had forgotten that.

[b]The reason I was asking was becasue I've been talking with someone about the idea of depression being caused by a person not having dealt with an incident in their past.
I think most cases of serious depression are largely medical ie they are due to chemical reactions going on in the brain, not ...[text shortened]... is probably higher amoungst those who have had a difficult life, but not significantly higher.[/b]

Originally posted by yo its me
Do you think there's any scope in the idea that a 'cure' for depresion could be forgiving?

Originally posted by twhitehead
No. Maybe it would help some people who are bitter about things that they feel others have done to them, but I dont think that would really be classified as depression and I don't think most unhappy people have that problem.

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
The negative feelings one retains over unforgiven acts cannot possibly be beneficial to the bearer, can they?

Originally posted by twhitehead
Actually they [b]are beneficial, which is why we have them. The stop us from trusting that person again, and possibly from being over trusting towards others. We may also engage in some corrective behaviour towards the offender, which causes him/her to modify their behaviour.
A society where everyone forgives everyone will self destruct very quickly. ...[text shortened]... practised. Or at least there are very few Christians that would instantly forgive any trespass.[/b]

Originally posted by twhitehead
Actually they [b]are beneficial, which is why we have them. The stop us from trusting that person again, and possibly from being over trusting towards others. We may also engage in some corrective behaviour towards the offender, which causes him/her to modify their behaviour.
A society where everyone forgives everyone will self destruct very quickly. ...[text shortened]... practised. Or at least there are very few Christians that would instantly forgive any trespass.[/b]

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
You can do all of this having forgiven them, can you not?

I personally wouldn't consider it forgiveness but the process of not taking revenge.

If someone harmed me in some way, I will most likely not bother with them because it will just be a waste of my time and energy. They wouldn't be worth the effort.

I will also give warning to others that said person is not to be trusted. Therefore, there isn't really "forgiveness" for me, because it still would have changed my opinion of them.

Originally posted by yo its me
Forgivness is a big part of most (maybe all??) religions, I was wondering, to all the atheists- do you beleive in forgiving someone?