Simon Wiesenthal: The Limits Of Forgiveness

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The Nazi solider in The Sunflower requested forgiveness from Simon Wiesenthal both out of guilt and atonement, however there are limits as to what can be forgiven. If we examine forgiveness from a religious perspective Judaism describes that there are two instances when forgiveness is not possible: murder and destroying someone’s reputation. In order to be forgiven their needs to be repentance, which is the process of returning to a repaired relationship with both God and human face-to-face encounter to ask for forgiveness. Another way to gain forgiveness is through atonement and restitution.
Buddhism teaches that forgiveness does not mean absolution from crime, but an opportunity for the inner transformation of both victim and perpetrator. Buddhist, Matthieu Ricard explains that according to Buddhist teachings, “forgiveness is always possible and one should always forgive” (Wiesenthal S., 2013, p.235). For the victim: a way of liberating oneself from hatred, resentment and grief. For the perpetrator: suffering of guilt; a chance to acknowledge a changed person Christianity believes that any act can be forgiven and there is no limit to forgiveness. Forgiveness happens in Christianity through repentance and a confession dealing with a private admission of guilt feeling of contrition. Christianity also deals in penance, which is a public …show more content…

“I don’t think that the attitude of the great religions to the question of forgiveness differs to any great extent. If there is any difference, then it is more in practice than in principal. You can only forgive a wrong that has been done to yourself. (Weisenthal 1997 pg. 81) It takes a lot to forgive a person who has wronged you but we learn that forgiveness is an act of strength and a gift that we give ourselves to be able to move on with our lives. It is a waste of time and energy to hold on to

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