Should Christians forgive others even if they are terrorists or atheists?

[mathinspiration]

Is it an absolute?

 

[Jonaitis]

You have a lot of questions. Check out this website:

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(note: I do not fully endorse everything they may say or believe in every article).

 

[Monk Brendan]

Is it an absolute?

If the direct words of Jesus mean anything, then it is.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

It's absolute. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. The condition of our being forgiven is out ability to forgive others and I firmly believe God can save even the most wretched of individuals. If we can't forgive those God has potentially forgiven how can we not expect the same treatment in return?

 

[StephenDiscipleofYHWH]

Is it an absolute?

Yes, forgive or you will not be forgiven.
Matt 6:14-15
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Yes of course

 

[Natsumi Lam]

Yes

 

[MariaJLM]

It's absolute. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. The condition of our being forgiven is out ability to forgive others and I firmly believe God can save even the most wretched of individuals. If we can't forgive those God has potentially forgiven how can we not expect the same treatment in return?

Former lifelong atheist here. If God can save me then I'm certain that He can save anybody. I was not particularly depraved or degenerate, however, but rather just angry and bitter at everything.

 

[anna ~ grace]

It is absolute, but can be very difficult practically speaking, especially if you, yourself, have been hurt, or suffered loss. But yes, we must forgive. What that looks like and how God brings that about in our souls may be different depending on the case. You may forgive someone, but may not trust them, especially in cases where a crime has been committed, and there is no apparent remorse. Or, in cases where bad behavior does not seem to stop.

In other cases, as in forgiving abuse, forgiveness may feel like more of a process / journey. Old feelings, anger, hatred, disgust, sadness, may boil up sometimes. We have to deal with those as they come.

 

[Heavenhome]

We discussed this on Sunday.
I used to say yes instantly but now I think this was said in the context of forgiving when WE have been wronged which we all should do of course.
We are firmly told if we don't we also won't be forgiven.
But the only one who can forgive all things is God.
I can't forgive a terrorist for example because it wasn't done to me.
I CAN be sorry it happened, but forgiveness would have to come from the victim/s or God because that is ultimately what it is:against God.
I CAN pray for the perpetrator that they see the error of their ways and come before God before it is too late for them.
This applies for sex offenders etc.
This makes so much more sense to me than just a blanket I forgive everyone.

Do I forgive Hitler? Should I? I have had some Christians say we should.
No I do not, the only one who can are the Jews because he set to wipe them off the earth. And of course God.
And he would have to have asked forgiveness.
Well that's my take.

Forgive anyone who you have something against. Pray for the person who has done evil that they would repent and seek forgiveness.
For everyone will stand before the judgement of God.
Those in Christ have had the penalty paid and He will accept.
Those not in Christ will not.

 

[pink318]

Is it an absolute?

Hi- Yes, we should forgive so our sins will also be forgiven. The Bible also tells us that in our sins, God will not hear from us. Jesus wants us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving one another.
God bless.

 

[Strong in Him]

Is it an absolute?

If they are an atheist, they don't believe there is a God. Whether that means they want to believe but can't, or they refuse to believe; it's between them and God and so the "sin" is not mine to forgive.

If someone was a terrorist and had terrorised or harmed me; it would be hard/painful to forgive, but that does not alter the fact that Jesus told us to.
He told us to love and forgive our enemies and pray for our persecutors, Matthew 5:44-48.

 

[FireDragon76]

That doesn't mean you let people hurt other people. Christians simply do not have that sort of authority, it's a denial of God's ordering of the world based on law and justice.

We are invited to forgive people, we don't have to. I would never tell a woman that has been raped that she must forgive her rapist or roast in hell, for instance. I'm pretty sure that would not be Jesus' approach.

Atheists simply haven't sinned against Christians, and its wrong to be angry at them. There's nothing to forgive.

 

[Selene03]

Is it an absolute?

First of all, freedom of religion protects everyone’s right to believe in God. It also protects the atheists’ right in believing that there is no God. There is nothing to forgive if a person chooses to be an atheist. We can only pray for them.

As for the the terrorist, yes we should forgive them. We should also pray for them in the hopes that the Holy Spirit can change their hearts.