Depends on the offense. If holding hate and resentment holds you down, then yes, I agree forgiveness can bring peace.
There are many instances I can think of where forgiveness is not warranted, nor provides any benefit.
Do you think forgiveness sets YOU free? Or does forgiveness let the wrong-doer off the hook?
I totally agree with Z!
Somethings can’t be forgiven.
What a fascinating and complex question---If asked for by the perpetrator from the victim, or sought by the victim from the perpetrator and then truly asked for by that perpetrator, I think when the victim forgives, it truly can be liberating for both parties because then the perpetrator knows and accepts that he "blew" it and the victim can know that the hurt has been understood and regretted and the victim can concentrate totally on the healing necessary for recovery from the injury suffered.
In my opinion, that is an optimal theoretical framework for recovery.
Otherwise, the victim should avoid forgiving the perpetrator too quickly because doing so can actually compromise the victim's recovery.
Opinion: "Turn the other cheek" in Roman times had something to do with the significance of which cheek was struck---one side involved respect, the other didn't. (I read that somewhere recently.)
That has modified my view of "70 times 7," but I have not yet come to even a tentative conclusion on the issue.
I also agree still with Don Barzini's comment, " There are many instances I can think of where forgiveness is not warranted, nor provides any benefit."
Obvious case in point: Comrade Trump
