Caryn, this was a great read! Your introduction was strong and really made me think about how
dark the world has been lately. Many families, friends, and peace advocates are mourning and in
an uproar over the chaos within our police force. I too believe that Jesus has called upon here to
maintain the peace in the world as Christians and be the worshiper within hatred situations.
However, what do you do when you have been hurt to your core? The mother, whose daughter
had been raped by her step-father or uncle; the father, whose daughter had been beaten, abused,
and then killed by her husband; what do we, as Christians advise to them? Their most precious
possessions have been hurt destroyed beyond belief. How do we tell them to simply forgive?
Should be forgive all actions the same? This issue weighs heavily on my heart. How can I
forgive some who has hurt someone I love so bad?
I also agree that John Dawson did an excellent job bringing to light the issues we have of
hatred and conflict being carried over into future generations. Racism is the biggest one. When
we think about the idea of having a Black president for not just one term but two, it seems as
though racism has come very far. However, on the other hand we have Black boys and men
being murdered every day, and confederate flags hanging high switch takes us backwards from
everything we had been working towards as a country. We must teach our children to love
instead of hate.
References:
Helmick, R. G., & Petersen, R. L. (2001). Forgiveness and reconciliation: Religion, public
policy & conflict transformation. Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press.
