More on Forgiveness

I was raised in a disaster of a religion.  I spent time with rage and grief, having been so deceived.  I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused, and all of it was in one way or another linked to religion.  I also think I got off easy compared to many others who have endured much greater suffering in the name of religion.  

I also came to realize that my parents didn't know any better than to indoctrinate me per religious protocol.  I have a strong hunch that virtually all parents that subjected their children to the "religion treatment" thought they were doing the right thing.  

I think it's safe to say that Jesus was not a religious person, at least not in the way we understand religion.  Christianity and the Christian religion are two distinctly different things.  A vast number of religious people who claim to be Christians are unwittingly misrepresenting the teachings of Jesus.  

A truly inspired person (as In Spirit) learns to forgive these religious folks for their ignorance.  Keep in mind that there are many pure and wonderful souls who self-identify as religious.  

In Spirit forgiveness is very different than religion based forgiveness.  In order for religious forgiveness to manifest, judgment and or condemnation must precede it.  Scripture teaches not to judge.  Yet "christians" routinely judge who to forgive.  Often such forgiveness involves ego and a self-perception of piety, in fact it seems that for some, if they sense that this delusion of superiority will not be rewarded, forgiveness will be withheld.  

In Spirit forgiveness bypasses all that judgment stuff and focuses directly on what is needed for healing of individuals or circumstances.  Sometimes what is needed is not attainable.  In such cases, in Spirit forgiveness may take the form of doing what is possible to prevent further suffering or damage.  

One who strives to maintain an open and compassionate heart, may live in a state of "pre-forgiveness."  By that I mean that the individual maintains a peaceful, loving preparedness that allows her/him to look past offensive behavior to the source of the pain that led to it.  It's often said, forgiveness is not for the offender, but for the person doing the forgiving.  In Spirit forgiveness benefits both the offender and the offended.  Its effect reaches out far beyond anything we can imagine.  

Every instance of in Spirit forgiveness makes the world better, and alters the course of human history.  It may not appear to be making much of a difference, but the effect is cumulative, and gains strength exponentially as more people practice it.  

Such forgiveness needs to be self-directed as well.  Then we can become empowered by the scars of our past, and help us grow in compassion, empathy and wisdom.