General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Is it possible to get redemption after committing a heinous crime...? [View all]mythology
(9,527 posts)I think that forgiveness has to come from both the offender and the victim, but I think redemption is based on the perpetrator of a wrong realizing that they have erred and working to not do the same in the future.
Obviously the still living alleged perpetrator in Boston can't bring back the dead, or give limbs back to those who lost them and can't make that right. But he can learn to live his life in a way that gives back under whatever his upcoming circumstances. He's probably not going to be put in general population in prison, but he can at least not try to fight the guards, to in whatever way be a "model" prisoner. He can take the time to learn that while he may have had reason to be angry at the U.S., there were better ways to express that than through violence.
I get the holding a grudge thing. I haven't talked to my dad in nearly 14 years. But I think it would be possible for him to get redemption for treating me the way he did if he learned and grew from it, even if I will never speak to him again. Which is why I think that forgiveness and redemption have to be considered as separate ideas.