Comments on: Apologizing for something for which you are not responsible? http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html A blog about current events from a Christian perspective. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:57:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: casey http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-531 casey Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:57:37 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-531 Hi Shirley. Thanks for your input! I wouldn't argue with the use of the word "sorry" in the sense of feeling regret, sympathy or pity. I'm more concerned with making an apology, which to me implies admitting or accepting guilt. Hi Shirley. Thanks for your input! I wouldn’t argue with the use of the word “sorry” in the sense of feeling regret, sympathy or pity. I’m more concerned with making an apology, which to me implies admitting or accepting guilt.

]]> By: Shirley http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-530 Shirley Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:10:42 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-530 I travelled Asia with a Japanese girl and she was the same. At first she didn't feel any connection to the events during WW2, but as she met the people in the Philippines and surrounding countries, her heart was broken as she put faces to a culture she'd only heard about in History. She said she felt bad for what happened and while she felt no guilt herself, the apologies to her were showing her empathy with the situation and disgust for what her forefathers had done. Rather than, "I'm sorry for....", it was more like "I'm sorry that this happened." I feel the same way about my South African heritage. My parents left the country when I was an infant, but I am still repulsed to know what happened there, not long ago. I would have no problems in saying, "I'm so sorry that this happened - that people like you and me are capable of such atrocity." But I feel no personal guilt in that situation. I travelled Asia with a Japanese girl and she was the same. At first she didn’t feel any connection to the events during WW2, but as she met the people in the Philippines and surrounding countries, her heart was broken as she put faces to a culture she’d only heard about in History.
She said she felt bad for what happened and while she felt no guilt herself, the apologies to her were showing her empathy with the situation and disgust for what her forefathers had done. Rather than, “I’m sorry for….”, it was more like “I’m sorry that this happened.”

I feel the same way about my South African heritage. My parents left the country when I was an infant, but I am still repulsed to know what happened there, not long ago. I would have no problems in saying, “I’m so sorry that this happened - that people like you and me are capable of such atrocity.” But I feel no personal guilt in that situation.

]]> By: casey http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-519 casey Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:34:22 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-519 Yes, you are right. Sometimes when we say the words "I'm sorry," we are expressing empathy, not an apology. I wouldn't take anyone to task for that. ;) Yes, you are right. Sometimes when we say the words “I’m sorry,” we are expressing empathy, not an apology. I wouldn’t take anyone to task for that. ;)

]]> By: Laurie http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-516 Laurie Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:16:04 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-516 I think often the meaning of "I'm sorry" gets misconstrued by sensitivity. What I mean is this, If someone tells us they are ill, quite often we may reply with I'm sorry....not because we had anything to do with them becoming ill but simply because we feel bad that they are. I think often the meaning of “I’m sorry” gets misconstrued by sensitivity. What I mean is this, If someone tells us they are ill, quite often we may reply with I’m sorry….not because we had anything to do with them becoming ill but simply because we feel bad that they are.

]]> By: Laurie http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-509 Laurie Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:59:26 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-509 It is humane to be empathetic in situations like this. However, it happens too often that people feel they need to apologize for something they had no responsibility in. Unfortunately, I catch myself doing it often enough. I suppose it has its nobility but it also takes the focus off of those who are responsible. It is humane to be empathetic in situations like this. However, it happens too often that people feel they need to apologize for something they had no responsibility in. Unfortunately, I catch myself doing it often enough. I suppose it has its nobility but it also takes the focus off of those who are responsible.

]]> By: Kansas Bob http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-466 Kansas Bob Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:56:23 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-466 Forgiveness isn't always about responsibility.. sometimes it is just about responding to the Spirit. Forgiveness isn’t always about responsibility.. sometimes it is just about responding to the Spirit.

]]> By: Ang http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-463 Ang Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:54:35 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-463 The whole idea of repenting of our anscestors' sins has been brought to the forefront in most churches today by the self-proclaimed "Super Apostles" like C. P. Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Jack Deere, and many other individuals, as well as organizations such as YWAM and their leadership, the "National School of the Prophets" in CO, and a plethora of other false teachers and false prophets. It is all part of their SLSW (Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare) which they believe they are waging "in the heavenlies" against demons over towns, cities, and countries. The repenting part, they believe, is kind of clearing the way for them to attack and revile heavenly beings--expressly forbidden in Jude and 2 Peter. We cannot repent for anyone other than ourselves. The Old Testament scriptures brought up by "friendinME" up above, cannot be applied to the Church. They are distinctly about the nation of Israel in context and application. Other nations are just not "chosen" nations. God's covenant with Israel given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was and is unconditional--He WILL give a remnant of Israel His Land. I believe the Holy Spirit can use any part of Scripture to speak to us individually, or convict, train, correct, or comfort the believer. However, there are specific promises made to specific groups (Israel) and people (King David) that we cannot apply to, say, the U.S. or China or somewhere. Context, context, context! If anyone is interested in these strange phenomena of our day (which are really not so strange--there were 1st Century Gnostics too), you can find great articles that will help you discern and test the spirits at www.deceptioninthechurch.com (he lists many other discernment websites on his search function), and another that I can think of off the top of my head is http://herescope.blogspot.com. That was a very astute question you asked, by the way! The whole idea of repenting of our anscestors’ sins has been brought to the forefront in most churches today by the self-proclaimed “Super Apostles” like C. P. Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Jack Deere, and many other individuals, as well as organizations such as YWAM and their leadership, the “National School of the Prophets” in CO, and a plethora of other false teachers and false prophets. It is all part of their SLSW (Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare) which they believe they are waging “in the heavenlies” against demons over towns, cities, and countries. The repenting part, they believe, is kind of clearing the way for them to attack and revile heavenly beings–expressly forbidden in Jude and 2 Peter. We cannot repent for anyone other than ourselves. The Old Testament scriptures brought up by “friendinME” up above, cannot be applied to the Church. They are distinctly about the nation of Israel in context and application. Other nations are just not “chosen” nations. God’s covenant with Israel given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was and is unconditional–He WILL give a remnant of Israel His Land. I believe the Holy Spirit can use any part of Scripture to speak to us individually, or convict, train, correct, or comfort the believer. However, there are specific promises made to specific groups (Israel) and people (King David) that we cannot apply to, say, the U.S. or China or somewhere. Context, context, context! If anyone is interested in these strange phenomena of our day (which are really not so strange–there were 1st Century Gnostics too), you can find great articles that will help you discern and test the spirits at http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com (he lists many other discernment websites on his search function), and another that I can think of off the top of my head is http://herescope.blogspot.com. That was a very astute question you asked, by the way!

]]> By: Missy http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-461 Missy Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:46:59 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-461 You might not be able to bring her back, but you could accept your brother's punishment as your own. Resposibility is not righting a wrong, but accepting the consequences. You might not be able to bring her back, but you could accept your brother’s punishment as your own. Resposibility is not righting a wrong, but accepting the consequences.

]]> By: casey http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-459 casey Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:33:15 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-459 @Bob, But do you think you're responsible for the actions of your ancestors? @Missy, But can you ask forgiveness for something for which you are not responsible? If my cousin stole $100 from you and I paid you back, I think I could ask you to forgive him, because the debt would have been paid. If my cousin kills your sister, however, I can't bring her back, so how could I ever ask you to forgive him? It's simply not my place if I cannot take responsibility for it. @Bob,

But do you think you’re responsible for the actions of your ancestors?

@Missy,

But can you ask forgiveness for something for which you are not responsible? If my cousin stole $100 from you and I paid you back, I think I could ask you to forgive him, because the debt would have been paid. If my cousin kills your sister, however, I can’t bring her back, so how could I ever ask you to forgive him? It’s simply not my place if I cannot take responsibility for it.

]]> By: Missy http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-458 Missy Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:29:28 +0000 http://www.hoshuha.com/blog/when_to_apologize.html#comment-458 Casey, I guess I am thinking of the definition of apology as accepting responsibility for something and requesting forgiveness, when I consider Jesus apologizing for our sins. True, He did not ask forgiveness for Himself, but for us. I consider the times I have apologized. Certainly at times, it is simply a formality of acknowledging that I was incorrect, at which forgiveness is expected. However, when I am truly repentant, forgiveness may be a hope, but far from expected. I expect punishment. Casey, I guess I am thinking of the definition of apology as accepting responsibility for something and requesting forgiveness, when I consider Jesus apologizing for our sins. True, He did not ask forgiveness for Himself, but for us. I consider the times I have apologized. Certainly at times, it is simply a formality of acknowledging that I was incorrect, at which forgiveness is expected. However, when I am truly repentant, forgiveness may be a hope, but far from expected. I expect punishment.

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