How do we forgive politicians?

[Mummsie]

Hi,

Glad you started a new thread on this issue.

When I become aware of the hatred in my heart, I try to remind myself: God loves us all. He loves each politician, radical, cop murderers, etc. exactly the same as he loves me. They are also children of God. As a mother, I can only imagine the pain God might feel when each of us sins (and we all do).

Also, what if my sins were on display and in the news, repeated over and over. Maybe not even sins, just stupid things I’ve said when I’m angry. I certainly wouldn’t want that published.

We’ve been taught to ask for forgiveness. We have the gift of Reconciliation. The others just need to live with their errors. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

Pray for them. It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for.

God Bless You.

 

[Vico]

Okay, folks, this is a fourth try at a thread on this theme.

To start with, this scripture:

New International Version, Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

So we have it established that if one holds anything against a politician, one is called to forgive. There are some who argue, “These people have not done anything to me personally, so I need not forgive.” However, Mark 11:25 does not refer to such specific instances. It stands as truth that we are called, invited, to forgive all those we hold something against, including politicians. If one holds nothing against a politician, this thread does not apply.

How do we forgive those in power who have done great wrongs? Who have anti-Christian beliefs, policies, and behaviors? Whose actions even go against secular ethics? Whose words seem disrespectful or rude? Those we hold these things against?

As instructed by the moderators, no names may be mentioned here. Please abide by this guide. (note: this thread was given an “okay” by a moderator). This is an experiment, because we are talking about forgiving people, but it is worth a try.

As far as the “how do we forgive?” part, we can refer to this important verse, Luke 23:34a

New International Version
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Jesus Understands. He knows what it means to be human, which involves lack of awareness and a capacity for blindness. Can we relate to the lack of awareness and blindness of other people? Do we share this condition at times in our lives, especially when we say or do evil? Do these words apply in an effort to understand modern politicians, who we very commonly believe “should know better”?

There is much more to be said about the “how”, but we can also try to objectively look upon what politicians do and say, and ask questions like “why would I do that?”. This is what understanding others involves.

Forgiveness is not acquittal or dropping of consequence, can we all agree on that from the start? Forgiveness does not mean withholding criticism, but it does mean criticizing without expressing condemnation of people. We are talking about forgiveness from the heart, and how to forgive politicians after some nasty campaigns. For advent, we prepare our hearts for the birth of Our Lord.

Blessings, all!

To forgive is to forgo punishment for an offense, it does not mean that the offense is forgotten.

 

[simpleas]

This is all great stuff, simpleas. To me, if prayer is step 1 in the process of forgiving politicians (or anyone else), that prayer in cases of ongoing abuse or injustice should take the form of getting in control in some way! It may mean taking action.

And yes, sometimes “getting in control” involves the serenity prayer, realizing our limitations, getting in control of the desire to be in control itself! (By letting go )

Sometimes, our “will to do that which is right” is to do all we can to…guess what… be in control. Which brings us back to prayer, an ultimate source of power and spiritual resource.

So, in all cases of ongoing triggered resentment from a politician, action is necessary, something that gives us a feeling of being in control in some way.

thanks!

You’re welcome.

In certain situations there maybe a need for some form of control, but doing that which is right and true does not mean that anyone need be controlled. In fact it would be about not being in control of anyone’s life (adult) and allowing them the freedom to live as they wish. Of course this would lead onto protecting each other from harm caused by people who do not regard or know that life is precious for all.

But I’m speaking of how as individuals we lead our own lives, we can agree and disagree on many things, and we can still live along side one another. People don’t wish to be controlled by something they do not agree with, but sadly we are in some areas of our daily lives.

People obviously exist that will have a very different view of life from yours or mine and always will. We can only find peace and forgiveness in that* letting go*.

PS I’m not saying we shouldn’t stand up for what we believe in, but being angry and resentful of other people who do not see how we see is like a being controlled.

 

[OneSheep]

Hi,

Glad you started a new thread on this issue.

When I become aware of the hatred in my heart, I try to remind myself: God loves us all. He loves each politician, radical, cop murderers, etc. exactly the same as he loves me. They are also children of God. As a mother, I can only imagine the pain God might feel when each of us sins (and we all do).

Also, what if my sins were on display and in the news, repeated over and over. Maybe not even sins, just stupid things I’ve said when I’m angry. I certainly wouldn’t want that published.

We’ve been taught to ask for forgiveness. We have the gift of Reconciliation. The others just need to live with their errors. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

Pray for them. It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for.

God Bless You.

Hi Mummsie,

You make a very good point about not wanting the sins on display over and over. If I were ashamed of my actions, I would not want such display. On the other hand, for the most part when someone is ashamed of their actions, they have probably already displayed some regret, and possibly repentance. Since it is very easy to forgive a repentant person, I am expecting that people will not bring forth the acts and things said that a politician has recanted or apologized for.

Yes, that is great about reminding ourselves that God loves all of us the same!

Thank you Mummsie! Let’s keep encouraging prayer.

 

[OneSheep]

To forgive is to forgo punishment for an offense, it does not mean that the offense is forgotten.

Thank you for the addition, Vico. And it does not mean that we allow ongoing offenses to go unchallenged, I think you agree.

 

[OneSheep]

Hi Folks,

Because I did not want to be too wordy in the OP, I omitted the importance of this topic in terms of the Kingdom.

We reap what we sow. The media reaps plenty of reasons to resent, stirring up anger in the masses. Jesus calls us to “turn the cheek” which means basically changing the equation, changing the tone.

When we forgive politicians, we are participants in creating the Kingdom. We create a new level of civility, a Christian civility. When we reap consideration of politicians, we inspire them to consider us. (hopefully)

Can we see that when politicians do bad, that they do not know what they are doing?

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Was Pontius Pilot a politician? He did not attempt to use his authority to prevent the death of Jesus. Presumably, he was one of those forgiven when Jesus prayed on the cross, forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

From personal experiences, I have learned…

It is the same to forgive someone whether they have stolen £10 from you, or they are responsible for the death of your child.

The person who does the forgiving, seems to benefit more than the person who has been forgiven.

It is better to forgive, even if the person does not repent.

Forgiveness goes against human nature, we want an eye for an eye.

 

[OneSheep]

Was Pontius Pilot a politician? He did not attempt to use his authority to prevent the death of Jesus. Presumably, he was one of those forgiven when Jesus prayed on the cross, forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

From personal experiences, I have learned…

It is the same to forgive someone whether they have stolen £10 from you, or they are responsible for the death of your child.

The person who does the forgiving, seems to benefit more than the person who has been forgiven.

It is better to forgive, even if the person does not repent.

Forgiveness goes against human nature, we want an eye for an eye.

Hello Eric,

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut. In my own observation, yes, we naturally want an “eye for an eye” from enemies who do great injury. We want “payback”. In this case, with politicians, we are more inclined to want submission or repentance.

Our own resentment is our consciences actively punishing the other by use of non-acceptance. It is not a willed response, it is more reactive, gut-level, correct?

It is supernatural to forgive as Jesus did, to forgive the unrepentant, to forgive enemies.

This is what the thread is about, how to forgive enemies.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut. In my own observation, yes, we naturally want an “eye for an eye” from enemies who do great injury.

I listened to Glen tell his story, he had been signed up to play football with Leighton Orient, alongside David Beckham. He had an exciting life ahead of him, but he was stabbed in the back. He has now been paralysed from the waist down for the last 27 years. They caught the man who did this, he served four years in prison, he was then able to walk out of prison on his own two feet, and justice had been served.

By this time, Glen had learned to drive a disabled taxi, he learned where his assailant lived, and then stalked him with the intention of running him over. Glen said at that point he came to understand that true justice could not happen. Justice is not that two people should be crippled, rather, it is that neither of them should be crippled. He knew this could never happen, he came to understand that he had to let go of his hatred. If not, he would become worse than his assailant, because his actions would be premeditated.
He said he had to live with two diseases, being crippled, and the greater disease was the hate burning away inside him. Forgiveness and letting go of the hatred was a gradual process, his wheelchair has been a daily reminder of the past injustice. He had to let go of his anger without knowing if the man was repentant.

After we heard his story in Manchester Anglican Cathedral, we were asked to say a blessing and we were to keep in mind all the people that had hurt us, as we sang this hymn by Graham Kendrick…

Now may the peace of the Lord be with you,
May the Lord bless you
May the Lord keep you
And may God’s face shine upon you always
And give you peace.

The peace video link youtube.com/watch?v=7dTmdu_8yMM