What's the point of forgiveness?

[Jefferson23]

Rais Bhuiyan forgave his attacker and campaigned to save his life. What were his motives, and are they worth pursuing?

Mark Stroman was executed in Huntsville, Texas this week. Stroman was sentenced to death for a series of shootings in the aftermath of 11 September, 2001 which targeted people he believe to be of Middle Eastern origin. Texas executed Stroman despite efforts by the surviving victim Rais Bhuiyan to save his life. Bhuiyan forgave Mark Stroman many years ago and pleaded with the state to allow him to meet his attacker before his death.


For many, the scale of Bhuiyan's forgiveness will seem heroic. But it will also seem out of reach. What are the advantages of forgiveness that are likely to have motivated Bhuiyan against such great odds? Are they worth pursuing? Should those subjected to great trauma really be expected to forgive? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/25/point-of-forgiveness


* If you are not familiar with the man who is capable of this and more, his story here:

Muslim Victim of Post-9/11 Hate Crime Calls on Texas to Spare Life of His Assailant

In Texas, a hate crime victim is attempting to save the life of a convicted murderer who shot him in the face at close range after 9/11. Rais Bhuiyan is suing Governor Rick Perry in order to stop the execution of death row prisoner Mark Stroman scheduled for Wednesday. Stroman shot Bhuiyan in 2001, partially blinding him in his right eye. Stroman, an Aryan Brotherhood member, also killed Vasudev Patel, an Indian immigrant who was Hindu, and Waqar Hasan, a Muslim born in Pakistan. "I strongly believe what Mark Stroman did was a hate crime because of his ignorance, and he was not capable of distinguishing between right and wrong. Otherwise, he would not have done what he did,” Bhuiyan said. “The way my parents raised me, and my Islamic faith teaches me, that he is the best who can forgive easily. And my faith teaches that no one has a right to take another human life. Islam doesn’t allow for hate and killing.” In a statement written in prison, Stroman says, “Not only do I have all My friends and supporters trying to Save my Life, but now i have The Islamic Community Joining in ... Spearheaded by one Very Remarkable man Named Rais Bhuiyan, Who is a Survivor of My Hate. His deep Islamic Beliefs Have gave him the strength to Forgive the Un-forgiveable ... that is truly Inspiring to me, and should be an Example for us all. The Hate, has to stop, we are all in this world together."

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/7/19/muslim_victim_of_post_9_11