Quote from: EliB on April 19, 2011, 22:37:02

... (not least because in my situation I don't know identities of those involved......the guy who attacked me because he was a stranger and the girl who murdered my friend because she was afforded a new id on release......

Can't remember the name of the book I read this in - several years ago - but it seems that one can forgive a nameless/faceless person, in the same way that you and I can - through our political leaders - apologise for the actions of our predecessors (slavery, trade injustice, etc.)

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you that you must or must not do something here - just using your situation as a trigger for debate.

Hi Andy
I'm not doubting for a moment that you can forgive a nameless (sadly neither in my situation are faceless!!!!) person, but the context in which I stated the above was with regard to me not being able to enact revenge - not to forgiving.....I already know that the actions of these 2 people are (IMO!!!) UNforgiveable, but revenge can only be an abstract notion because I don't know anything about them to trace them - not to mention the fact that the time I DID see the guy who attacked me (years later!!) I totally went to pieces and would have been incapable anyway!!!)

ps - I have no problem with you using my situation for debate......but I DO think both people were EVIL  - and because myself and a lot of people were, and continue to be, hurt by their actions (and lives lost) I don't actually care very much whether they are innately evil or they learned it....they are just evil!!