Forgiveness - Could you forgive this quickly, if at all?

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 16:20:15 -0400

Extremely resilient family members of the Charleston Church murders offered their forgiveness to the murderer today...could you forgive this quickly, if at all?

Here is a short video of the family members confronting (through video feed) the murderer:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-main/index.html

Charleston shooting suspect appears in court - CNN.com

Dylann Roof heard words of forgiveness from families of some of the nine people he's accused of killing. His response: A blank expression.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 4:41 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 16:41:56 -0400

I am heartbroken over this incident, it really hits home for us as one of our Service Members is the brother of one of the victims.

While I admire the family members courage to forgive the shooter, I would not be strong enough to forgive the shooter for his ignorance and this hate filled, needless killings.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 19 at 2015 6:27 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 18:27:13 -0400

Forgive - Yes, Forget - Certainly not, Absolve - Never. He needs to be sent to prison for as long as he is a danger to others (i.e for the rest of his life).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 7:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:19:30 -0400

To be honest I would like to say I could. But I know in my heart I would not be able to. I see to much in black and white and very seldom any gray. Over the years it has hardened my heart for forgiveness of these acts of evil.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 7:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:33:22 -0400

Jesus teaches us to forgive. By all accounts, these were pious folks who really lived the life and walked the walk. I am not surprised that these good, godly people were able to muster those words in the midst of their grief. No doubt, they are comforted by doing so.

I'd like to say my faith would see me through. But I don't know a soul there and I am almost 2000 miles away, and I would like to go down there and volunteer to be on the firing squad. Dylann Roof is a complete turd and waste of space. The only "race war" he is going to start is in prison over who gets to say "hello" to him first.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 19 at 2015 8:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:14:11 -0400

Hell no and never.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2015 4:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 04:00:15 -0400

They are practicing what they preach. Very commendable and a great example for us to aspire to. Not easily done for many if not most of us. May the Lord comfort them and bless them.

Response by TSgt Chip Dollason made Jun 20 at 2015 11:04 PM

TSgt Chip Dollason — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 23:04:04 -0400

Yes. Maybe not immediately but I would have no choice. I have been forgiven for things that I have done and by God's standards a sin is a sin. The families of these people are extremely strong!

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 20 at 2015 11:07 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 23:07:32 -0400

Nevar

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 20 at 2015 11:08 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 23:08:45 -0400

Never!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2015 11:12 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 23:12:10 -0400

I am able to forgive, reluctantly.
But I find it nearly impossible to forget things!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 10:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:29:59 -0400

I'm not sure that I'm that good of a man to forgive so quick.

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Jul 4 at 2015 10:44 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 22:44:11 -0400

It's funny how the families of the people that were murdered in Charleston have forgiven the teenager accused of the murders, but now everyone has turned to the Confederate flag and blaming it for the murders. All those murders in Colorado, New York, and everywhere else in the United States isn't because of the Confederate battle flag, it's because parents that are afraid to whip a child when they do something wrong, break rules grow up thinking it's ok to do whatever you want to do. Discipline your children and we'll have less overcrowded prisons. When it comes to blaming things and people, hold the individual accountable, don't blame things that have nothing to do with it.