The Role Of Forgiveness In Simon Wiesnthal's '

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Growing up I was taught with Christian views to always forgive; however, after reading Simon Wiesenthal’s book I believe there are boundaries and sometimes we do not hold the power to forgive and we have to leave it up to God. Forgiveness has limitations such as sincerity, the power to forgive, and they can never forget. When there is no sincerity, power, or remembrance it is then out of our hands to forgive. “The question, for me, is not whether he should have forgiven, but whether he could have done so. Was it in his power to forgive?” (Fleischner 139) This question should be asked before we decide whether or not Karl should or should not have been forgiven. It is important to establish who has the right to forgiveness…show more content…
By doing so he showed insincerity and selfishness. To be forgiven a person should show true sincerity, and consider the victims situation. Karl did not do either of these things and therefore should not be forgiven. He said he needed forgiveness from any Jew so that he could die peacefully. He did not consider the additional burden he was handing over to Simon so that his conscious could be clear and the last minutes of his life would be peaceful. All he did by asking forgiveness from Simon was hand his burden over to him, nothing but selfish. When he asked for forgiveness from any Jew he still continued to see the Jews a group instead of individuals, he viewed them all as the same person. If Karl had truly been sincere he would have looked at Simon as an individual then just any Jew and he would not have waited till his death to ask such a burden. Karl was not only insincere while asking forgiveness but also after the horrible incident with the family. He realized he was wrong but yet continued to serve as a Nazi. He acted upon his own free will when he could have stepped down. Karl made his choice and chose to stay which showed his insincerity towards the family. When children asks forgiveness and says sorry, a parent says do not say sorry but do better next time and that will…show more content…
To forget would be unmoral, insincere, and selfish. “Every human being has his burden to bear,” (Speer 246). Karl chose his actions and must now bear the burden of what he did and never forget his horrible actions. I believe when Karl asks forgiveness he tried placing his burden on Simon so he would be able to forget and die peacefully. Karl showed no sincerity in his actions and choices. I believe if he was truly sorry for what he did, he would have tried his best to convince other Nazis that what they were doing was wrong. It was his last opportunity to take a stand for the Jews and show sincerity, but instead he tried to save himself to die in peace. Simon did right by walking out of the room silently it was out of his hands to forgive. In order for Karl to be forgiven it is out of humans hands and only obtainable by God’s

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