I recently read an article from Michele Perry on how forgiveness being branded as (e.g.) ‘if you do not forgive (and move on)’ can be and is weaponised in many / most Christian circles. A conversation starter for sure and something that makes us go much deeper than a quick fix mentality. I interviewed her (video below). The original article is at:
https://dmperry.com/2022/05/29/please-stop-weaponizing-forgiveness/
In the article there is a link to a ‘live’ confession of a pastor (bravo) but also an exposure of the lack of transparency, followed by the covering of the pastor and no support for the one who has lived with the abuse. Painful to watch but if able to is informative and very challenging.
I want to honour Michele for speaking out on forgiveness .We tend to think we’ve got it all sewn up.Fearlessly speaking of her own trauma the article/ video is painful,but I honestly believe that we need to listen and learn,even when the issue seems unrelated to our situation.As a survivor there are very few who have this take.To put our trauma under a microscope and finding us guilty re traumatises and closes us down further.
The church has many rugs( to pull from under us) and carpets that are swept under when we prefer neat and clean.
Let’s not paint or project a misrepresentation of our Father to who forgiveness is all encompassing.Thanks Michele and Martin.