REMORSE, REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

 

It is often said that to err is human, and to forgive is divine.

I remember a popular Bible verse: When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Worthy of note is the fact that the woman in question had penitence. She was sorry doe her deeds. She was remorseful. The woman stayed when the others had left.

Remorse is a crucial factor in the forgiveness process, particularly in situations involving harm or wrongdoing.

Why does remorse matter?

Remorse indicates that the offender recognizes the harm caused and takes responsibility. It is an acknowledgment of harm.

Remorse shows empathy, an understanding and compassion for the victim's suffering.

It also implies a willingness to make amends. Remorse can also lead to personal growth and change on the part of the offender. He must be ready to go and sin no more.

Remorse can help victims heal by acknowledging their pain. A felon who does not feel the pain of the victim does not deserve forgiveness.

Genuine remorse can rebuild trust and strengthen relationships. When an offender shows remorse, the offended finds it easier to rebuild trust and recover from the hurt.

A display of remorse is what will motivate victims to forgive the offender.

Insincere remorse or fake remorse or even absence of remorse can make forgiveness difficult.

Remorse requires honest self-reflection and accountability.

In criminal justice remorse influences sentencing and rehabilitation.

In Personal relationships, remorse helps repair relationships.

In Mental health, remorse can aid in emotional healing.

Many religions emphasize remorse as a prerequisite for forgiveness.

When remorse is lacking in the forgiveness process, denial or dismissiveness can re-traumatize victims. Absence of remorse can also prolong victims' emotional pain.

Insincere remorse can intensify negative emotions like anger and resentment:

Lack of remorse makes forgiveness harder.

In recommending sentenced persons for parole, the first consideration is a remorseful heart. The person to be thus recommended must have been shown to have developed signs of good behavior afterwards. They are often bound to be of good character after parole and must not be caught committing crime again.

When a person engages in an act that offends a group of people and refuses to show penitence or remorse, such an offender does not deserve forgiveness.

It is more offensive when the offender hides under the shadow of some supposedly influential personalities to claim forgiveness without any show of penitence or remorse.

It is not only preposterous but wicked and self-serving for a person or small group of individuals to attempt to water down a crime done against the larger group, association or even state by pronouncing forgiveness without recourse to the aggrieved lot.

It is even worse when the person(s) pronouncing forgiveness does not have the authority to do so.

The culprit will not have learned any lesson and could go on to commit greater and more heinous atrocities in future. The apologists of the criminal would have served the society or association a sour meal.

In the long run the society loses because a criminal has been let off the hook without remorse.

 WITHOUT REMORSE AND REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS IS UNDESERVED