Comments | dyvinesweetness: The Sunflower

dyvinesweetness

The Sunflower

Nov 12, 2003 12:41

I've been reading up on the Holocaust and subsequently read The Sunflower. It's the story of a Jewish man in a concentration camp who is led to the bedside of a Nazi who is dying. The Nazi, Karl, confesses to burning an entire village of Jews alive, then begs absolution from the Jew, Simon. Simon sits, listens to Karl, then gets up and leaves. So ( Read more... )

religion

Comments 7

lovelylind November 12 2003, 09:51:42 UTC

I don't know if I could forgive this person, because I'd feel like they are just asking for forgiveness so that they could die in peace. The Christian in me tells me to forgive, but the human in me tells me to let him suffer.

rnddaway November 12 2003, 11:45:41 UTC

Wow...

I think stories such as these serve to remind all people that there is always a consequence to an action. Always. If you do something as horrible as he did to other human beings, then there's a chance you will never receive forgiveness from anyone, maybe even from God(esses). This is why it is so important for us to work as human beings and treat each other in kindness before hatred takes us to a place beyond redemption.

ipurdles November 12 2003, 18:24:52 UTC

Hmmm, sorry, I wouldn't forgive him either. Ironically he's chose to ask for forgiveness when it felt necessary, otherwise he'd still be doing his evil work. Screw him. I don't believe in that whole absolution before I die thing anyway. Either live right or die with your mouth shut.

dyvinesweetness November 12 2003, 19:36:01 UTC

"Either live right or die with your mouth shut."

That's real. lol I completely agree.

To echo the previous thoughts.... candyaddicted November 15 2003, 07:07:08 UTC

I don't think forgiveness is mankind's to give. Being of a protestant religion, I don't believe in going to an Earth bound confessor. I believe that forgiveness is God's alone to give.

I think this statement is true:
"To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine.

BTW: I added you. I like your journal, and your thoughts.

Re: To echo the previous thoughts.... dyvinesweetness November 16 2003, 08:31:32 UTC

"I don't think forgiveness is mankind's to give. Being of a protestant religion, I don't believe in going to an Earth bound confessor. I believe that forgiveness is God's alone to give."

That's the thought I had initially, but I later read the response I referred to about the rabbi. And in the end the rabbi says that according to Jewish "law" even God can't forgive sins transgressed against man. He can only forgive the sins transgressed against Him/It. And while I'm not Jewish I just loved that thought and felt it made the most sense. Either way the Nazi was coming to the wrong person.

"BTW: I added you. I like your journal, and your thoughts."

Welcome! You do realize there's no turning back now, right? lol

Re: To echo the previous thoughts.... candyaddicted November 16 2003, 14:48:54 UTC

No turning back? Well, I'll try to be brave. :)