Forgiveness won’t end terror
I laughed after reading Randolph Sill’s letter explaining that to win the war on terrorism, we just have to forgive the terrorists (“Forgiveness may prove more successful than war,” ODE, Jan. 8). There you have it, folks; all we must say is, “We forgive you,” and all the fanatics will give it a rest. I’m curious if Sill has shared his theory with any religious or political leaders from those countries that preach hate and murder against the United States on a daily basis. I think that Sill doesn’t have an inkling about what forgiveness really entails.
If forgiveness is to be taken seriously, those forgiven must express remorse for their actions and change their behavior. In this case, terrorists groups have not expressed remorse and are currently planning their next attack. Terrorists don’t need our forgiveness, don’t want our forgiveness and haven’t asked for our forgiveness. They couldn’t care less about Sill and his forgiveness. In their eyes, you have two options, Sill: Die, or convert to Islam.
Granting forgiveness to terrorists who haven’t asked for it and don’t want it is not an act of moral courage. Far from it: It is the act of a coward who does not respect himself and who does not care for his fellow citizens. I doubt that Sill will understand my point, but I hope others who read this letter will understand that unwarranted forgiveness will not stop terrorists from wanting to kill Americans.
Brian Stubbs
second-year graduate
physics