Forgiving someone, or a group of people is something you find in your self. Before reading the book I Figured that a lot of the stories were going to consist of the same thing, talking of how one should forgive others for there actions. That in the end yes karl should be forgiven. I was completely wrong though and I have to say that I agree too some degree. Forgiving someone is a tremendously hard thing to do, to me its almost something that one must earn. Does that person deserve to be forgiven? Whose to say? God, you, me? Ephesians 4:32 says “we forgive because we have been forgiven by God” I personally am catholic and had the bible beaten in to my head as a child. A key aspect of a lot of what I gathered from not only my faith but the faith of others is that we are to forgive others for what they have done. But where I am conflicted is the extent of the destruction and mass murdering Nazis had committed. Yes there is that one in a hundred religious nut who would forgive any act done unto them, but realistically who can go about there day knowing there family and people are being murder all around them, then whats being done to oneself. A deep hatred is built up in side of you after events like that happen. A hatred towards the people who did this, a hatred that is not so easily let go. The Dalai Lama had a great quote that I really though about. “one should forgive the person or persons who have committed atrocities against oneself and mankind. But this does not necessarily mean one should forget about the atrocities committed. In fact, one should be aware and remember these experiences so that efforts can be made to check the reoccurrence of such atrocities in the future.”
Coming from one of the most peaceful people of all time I am sure its easy for him to say. But he makes a good point, forgive but don't forget. But some would say that forgetting is a part of the forgiveness process, forgive and forget was something I remember hearing a lot growing up. Recalling back to the book when Wiesenthal was asked by Karl for his forgiveness, so he could die in peace, Wiesenthal was in silence. So yes, he did not forgive Karl, but he was in complete and utter shock. If I was to be in a situation like so I don't think I could spit out a word either. His immediate response was to be silent the only thing he could do at the time, but his silence does not mean he is refusing to give forgiveness, instead a natural deer in headlight response. He then has a small amount of anger towards Karl for placing such a heavy burden on him, asking such a huge thing in such a vulnerable time for Wiesenthal. Wiesenthal, in my eyes, did the right thing at the time, or at least the most human reaction for the moment at hand. The thing Im in conflict with though is he still carries that burden on himself. Things that were done to him are unspeakable and Karl was one of the people who partook in doing those things, but if he doesn't let go the thoughts of not forgiving Karl will haunt him forever. So in a sense he doesn't have to forgive Karl but forgive himself for the silence he left him in before is death. The way I look at it is if Simon had forgiving Karl at the moment before his death it would have been almost like he was telling karl everything he had done was okay. The responses from the people in the book had both confused me and made me think. A lot of responses didn't seem generic,