What our other readers are saying:
Time to embody forgiveness
After seeing the film "Long Night's Journey into Day: South Africa's Search for Truth and Reconciliation" a few years ago, I felt that a new bar had been set for forgiveness. Discovering the series of articles on forgiveness in the CSM shows the way for what is possible in the human heart, and in many ways shows just how far behind we are as "Westerners." And yet it starts with a few. Thank you for the attention and commitment to a topic and a value that it is time for us to embody.
Kelly Young, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
The power of love and forgiveness
Our congratulations to you for publishing this informative, excellent article. We, (the citizens and government of the US) need to learn and practice the power of love and forgiveness. We believe these are the most powerful forces in the universe, and if given a chance, will heal the world.
Jim and Char Clymer, Loveland, Colo., USA
The first step to healing
I commend the villagers for their willingness to welcome back, forgive, and love their lost brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is the first step to healing, and all parties involved – including the ex-fighters – need healing.
As noted in the article, it takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes a village to forgive a child. The outpouring of forgiveness and love for the family of the man that harmed those dear Amish children also came to mind as I was reading this story.
Shahidat Abbas, Baltimore, Md., USA
Forgiveness and full prisons
In the US, we simultaneously embrace harsh punishment of persons committing crimes and the forgiveness of individuals through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. While the individual is important in a multicultural society, we have no traditions allowing forgiveness and redemption for reintegration into society. No wonder we have such a large prison population. We clearly have much to learn from these traditional cultures in which community is important.
Philip Murphy, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Follow the example of the Amish
Forgiveness is the only way to go. The Amish in Penn. did it when their children were murdered in a schoolhouse shooting recently. They even shared monies given them by the community with the family of the individual who committed the crime.
Forgiveness heals.
Phyllis Weeks, Hammondsport, N.Y., USA
A lot to learn
There is a lot we can learn from this that may save our world from a future dominated by strife!
Jay Chapman, Pulaski, N.Y., USA
The media's role
The media plays a huge role, as witnessed by this deeply moving series. Another great recent example is the media coverage of the forgiveness by the Amish community in the face of one of the most unforgiveable crimes imaginable. Some of the media stories – and especially some of the images – of Amish forgiveness were stunningly memorable.
We can only hope that other media sources follow the Monitor's lead and give us more of these stories and less car bomb coverage. The media can definitely help shape our concepts of social justice and community-based healing.
Bob Clark, Clearwater, Fla., USA
