Forgiving the unforgivable (Michael Berg forgives Zarqawi for hacking off his sons head)

The Sydney Morning Herald ^ | May 1, 2006

[jmc1969]

Michael Berg has come to terms with his son's murderer. But to most Americans that man is still enemy No.1, writes Martin Daly in New York.

In the darkness, when the pain becomes too great, Michael Berg pulls out a chair for the man who decapitated his son and talks to him about compassion and forgiveness.

Michael Berg has cried publicly many times for his dead son but he has forgiven Zarqawi, considered by the Americans to be the premier threat to peace in Iraq, but who remains free despite a $US25 million ($33 million) bounty on his head, and the huge numbers of personnel and technological resources being used to track him down.

In offering forgiveness to a man who this week told the world he planned to continue killing, Berg has had to go down dark, complex paths and has had to come to terms with an horrendous loss that has become public property.

[Barset]

I think that the Bergs are Jews. Torah suggests that "forgiving" those who harm us is presumptuous. Forgiveness is not ours to give since we are not privy to the secret hearts of our oppressors.

Jesus, a Jew, did not call out his personal forgiveness of his betrayers and murderers, he called out to G-d, our Father, to do what only He can do, forgive.

Our task is to not become embittered nor to seek revenge. But we are well advised not to commit the sin of pride by assuming the role of "Forgiver" so that we appear "divine" when in fact, we are simply unwilling or unable to pray for the strength to endure in faith, as Job did.

I find this public ritual of "forgiving" someone who has taken the life of your child to be shocking, and from my own viewpoint, singulary suspect.

[two23]

Ref Posts # 107 and 108

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:6

FReegards spectre

[P-40]

No. His father can forgive him for having killed his son.

Be a pointless operation but if it makes him happy he should go for it. Maybe bake him some cookies too.

[P-40]

Christ and His Father behaved in a way which is in direct contradiction to your reasoning.

You are talking about God and His Son. Not some earthly parent and his son. Big difference there.

[I got the rope]

But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then are you not a judge of those who have? But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then you are unworthy of the name of husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant.--Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776.

[InvisibleChurch]

It's his life.

[P-40]

It's his life.

No one said it isn't.

[I got the rope]

You should read Numbers 15:29-31 and 2 Peter 2:10.

Those who despise government according to Moses and Peter are guilty of the sin of presumption. Presumption means taking for oneself authority and power for which one has no warrant or right. Whenever we set aside God's laws concerning life and death, we are guilty of presumption. Presumption is the mark of an unbeliever. It means we have placed ourselves in the place of God and that life and death are on our terms only.

[I got the rope]

2 Peter 2:10

[bayouranger]

Maybe he converted to islam, and he now knows that it is the duty of muzzies to behead infidels every where.

Coward...typical lib, loser and a complete failure of a man.

[bayouranger]

His son died to provide amusement for third world trash.

>> I see something more to this...like royalties from the videos of his boys $$ making death to pad his 401K.

[Captainpaintball]

It means NOTHING, and takes NO RISK to "stand up" to GOOD. It means EVERYTHING and RISKS EVERYTHING to stand up to EVIL.

This guy hates and attacks the wrong group, becausse he knows it is safe to do so. I would be more impressed if he went over to the terrorists and used the vitriol he saves for Bush on them. But then, that would only double the number of Bergs that have been beheaded since 9/11.

[potlatch]

Unbelievable ping!

[Chena]

I disagree strongly with Michael Berg's views. However, I also cannot condemn a parent's mindset after losing a son to such horrifying brutality. I won't call him, "crazy" but I can understand how someone would become "crazy" in such a situation.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Zarqawi decapitated Nicholas Berg because he was an American, not because he was Michael Berg's son. Nicholas Berg's murder was an affront to all humanity and to Americans in particular. As an American, I want to see justice brought to Zarqawi. I want to see Zarqawi's head roll. Literally.

[Chena]

BTW, I do not know how someone could forgive the "unforgivable". Forgiveness or not by Michael Berg, Zarqawi and his murdering thugs WILL NOT be forgiven by God.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Gosh. The rest of us can only wish for such a loving father.

[rintense]

I will never forget that video. Never.

[Sam Hill]

"Not only that, he has marched at Arlington National Cemetery with cardboard coffins along with Veterans for Peace and a host of other far leftists!"

Including his good friend, Cindy Sheehan--before she was famous:

MFSO March for Peace
http://www.angelfire.com/sk3/spkhntrca/mfsodc.html

[bdeaner]

I'd forgive the guy, too -- but only after I cut off his head and sh*t down his neck.