Erika Kirk forgives Tyler Robinson

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In Erika Kirk’s speech at the memorial service for her husband, Charlie Kirk, she proclaimed toward the one accused of firing the shot, “I forgive him.”  She received a standing ovation in front of approximately 70,000 people when she made this statement.  Shortly after this, one of the members of our International Forgiveness Institute appeared on a radio program to discuss forgiveness and was asked if such quick forgiveness is legitimate.  The answer was that it is rare, but does occur.  One example given was that of Corrie Ten Boom, as described in her book, The Hiding Place.  She was imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II.  While in a church and following one of her talks emphasizing the need for forgiveness, an SS officer who abused her while she was held captive approached her, extended his hand, and asked for forgiveness.  She prayed and felt an electrical charge go up her arm, and was overwhelmed with a love for the man.  She was able to legitimately forgive him. Such forgiveness, whether from Erika or Corrie, does not mean that anger never resurfaces again.  It can.  Yet, a pathway of forgiveness already has been experienced, and so practicing it again may lead to deeper forgiveness as the person continues to work on this important moral virtue.