Compassion and forgiveness

[anne97]

An old (now ex-) friend of mine is in jail (for 10+) years for doing something horrible to a child. A mutual friend still has contact with him and talks sympathetic of him. I only found out tonight they even have contact.

I don't know what to do, I feel repulsed, angry, and sad whenever I think of what he did. But is that the right way to feel? I also feel as if I shouldn't judge someone for the things they did, and that I always should be compassionate. But if I am compassionate, wouldn't that come across as condoning what he did?

I also don't know if he is truly sorry for what he did, so how could you ever forgive someone for doing something so horrible if they aren't even sorry?

 

[Dave G.]

By forgiving them through Christ Jesus and praying for him that he comes to repent. Don't carry this in your heart pass it on to God.

 

[Sketcher]

There's a place for forgiving and having sympathy for the repentant, even repentant sex offenders. He's not repentant according to what you told us, and that disturbs me. Do no more than pray for him, and listen to your prayers to see what they reveal about you.

 

[cafefan374]

Forgiveness=/=sympathy. Forgiveness also doesn't mean no earthly consequences. You can forgive someone but not trust them. Knowing this about him and forgiving him doesn't mean that he should be around you or anyone's children.