What's a better method? Revenge or Forgiveness?

[Grounded]

What's a better method? Revenge or Forgiveness?

Give examples from history to back up your opinion.


I'd say forgiveness just because of WW I and WW II. Germany started WW II because of the punishment from WW I. If the world forgave Germany after WW I, then WW II could have been avoided.

[Eternal]

revenge only creates more hatred and possible retaliation/resentment by other allies, the problem is revenge can sometimes disguise iteself in the form of justice.

[Everylyric]

Revenge is the easier method, but I think forgiveness is better.

[saggyjones]

I agree with everyone so far. Revenge is simply a short term satisfaction that in the long run is usually bad. Forgiveness might be hard at first but pays off in the end. I can't think of a better example than WWI.

[zerorelations]

Who voted for revenge then?

[palerider]

What's a better method? Revenge or Forgiveness?

Give examples from history to back up your opinion.


I'd say forgiveness just because of WW I and WW II. Germany started WW II because of the punishment from WW I. If the world forgave Germany after WW I, then WW II could have been avoided.

The world didn't just freely forgive germany. The germans had to prove that they were deserving of forgiveness for quite some time before their aggressions were forgiven.

[Friendindeed]

I think Grounded was talking about the Versailles treaty palerider.

[icono1]

I often heard and do believe that 'living well is the best revenge'.

[rmbarron]

It depends on what you're talking about. If you mean personally, than yes, forgiveness is better. However, if you're talking about Geopolitics, it's not that simple. Politics is the art of power. Who has it, who keeps it, who rests it away. Geopolitics is no different. If another country or political group attacks the group in power, there is no choice but to retalitate. That is because the structure of power itself is and has been based on principles of violence. In fact, it has been said (I forget by who, just now) that power by definition is a monopoly on violence. The State has no choice but to meet violence with violence, which in essence is what revenge is.

In the case of World War I and the treaty of Versallies, the mistake of the Entante was not merely in dealing harsh terms to the German people, but in not dealing harshly enough with the army. De-Nazification after World War II nuetured the German army. Had they done something similar the first time around, perhaps that war could have been avoided.

[Dagoth]

If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.

[Justinian]

There are few things in life sweeter than revenge, including sex.

[ChairmanMeow]

Forgiveness is ALWAYS! Better!

[drippinhun]

If someone attempts to harm my family, I will destroy theirs before doing them in.

[Bunz]

There are few things in life sweeter than revenge, including sex.

Since when does Justinian have any idea of just how sweet sex is?:rolleyes:

[dahermit]

This is a prime example of a overly simplistic question. Whether to exact revenge or forgive is a stupid question unless the particular offense is stated. A minor offense, or a major one like the killing of six million Jews.

[cannabis]

If someone attempts to harm my family, I will destroy theirs before doing them in.

Why? Because it makes you feel better? In my eyes killing someone else's family in retaliation for their deeds is just as bad as that person.

[9sublime]

an unprovoked murder is as bad as murder as retaliation?

[Dustin]

What's a better method? Revenge or Forgiveness?

Give examples from history to back up your opinion.


I'd say forgiveness just because of WW I and WW II. Germany started WW II because of the punishment from WW I. If the world forgave Germany after WW I, then WW II could have been avoided.

That was just one of the many reasons for WW2.. but I do admit the strictness on Germany was to much the first time, yet to little the second.

[cannabis]

an unprovoked murder is as bad as murder as retaliation?

Yes, because the result is the same.

[9sublime]

But sometimes it is not simply the consequences that make an action worse than another, wouldn't you agree?

[Castle]

Why? Because it makes you feel better? In my eyes killing someone else's family in retaliation for their deeds is just as bad as that person. In over simplistic terms I would agree. I would have to agree with dahermit here. Is universal forgiveness the answer? The impression I'm getting is that I could get away with murder so to speak.

[cannabis]

But sometimes it is not simply the consequences that make an action worse than another, wouldn't you agree?

I would say that in certain cases, but not this one. I believe by revenge killing to make yourself feel better you are playing on an even field with the murderer. And my personal philosophy is to rise above "bad" people like this, but that's just me. I believe revenge is short term gratification and forgiveness is long term gratification. It's the easy vs. the hard way out.

[9sublime]

Well, its a nice philosophy. But when the time comes it might not be so easy.

[cannabis]

In over simplistic terms I would agree. I would have to agree with dahermit here. Is universal forgiveness the answer? The impression I'm getting is that I could get away with murder so to speak.

I was more referring to the death penalty, basically the eye for an eye argument.

I don't agree with revenge just to make yourself feel better, but of course people need to be punished so they don't commit the same crime.

[cannabis]

Well, its a nice philosophy. But when the time comes it might not be so easy.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to take revenge if my family was killed, or even that I wouldn't, because it's hard not to. I'm saying that I don't believe in the philosophy of revenge and that I try to rise above it, although to do so all the time is nearly impossible.

[I-AM-THAT-I-AM]

If your attacked and do not respond you will son be attacked again, you must stand your ground at very least.

[9sublime]

yes iam, attacked by the jooooooooooooooooooozzzzzzzzzz

[Aaron Burr]

What the Hell is this? Of COURSE revenge is better! Forgiveness just means you're too lazy for revenge.

You just have to wait, be patient, your moment for revenge will present itself. Although it is a dish best served cold, I gotta' tell you, it's a Hell of a lot better than Gazpacho.

Besides, whats better on a rainy day? Plotting revenge fantasy's, or plotting forgivness fantasy's? I gotta' go with the one where stuff gets blown up.

[Dr House]

Other:

No, not revenge...


Punishment.