Revenge Versus Forgiveness

Contrast the violent reaction of many radical Muslims worldwide to cartoons and the pope's remarks with the forgiving response of Amish people in Pennsylvania to the murder of five young women and the wounding of five more by a shooter. Muslims rampaged over perceived slights, while the Amish openly forgave the family of the murderer, even to the point of providing donated money to the bereft widow.

Forgiveness, though difficult and not always carried out by Christians, is nonetheless intrinsic to Christianity, whose Founder said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Such a response is incomprehensible and even scandalous to many people–and also powerfully attractive to those who are sick of endless cycles of violence.