Therapeutically Speaking, It's This Doctor's Opinion That Forgiveness Is Over-rated

Kevin MD has an interesting post up - courtesy of a practicing psychiatrist - promoting the therapeutic benefits of forgiveness.

"Cheap grace" is a concept I've discussed before on Housecalls.  Suffice it to say that (the Lord's Prayer notwithstanding) I vehemently disagree that everyone/every situation is best served by the victim of wrong-doing simply forgiving the unrepentant perpetrator and/or turning the other cheek.  Sometimes I think well-meaning therapists (and pastors) use that hammer a little too liberally . . . making people who are really struggling and suffering feel much worse for what they are feeling . . . and guilty on top of that.

But then again, I have a lot to forgive.  And I'm not about to cut anyone running Randolph Hospital a break. 

The story of my life is NOT going to be that I rolled over and just took the crap these lying posers dished out.

From a previous Housecalls' post (left as a comment at Kevin's):

“I have no qualms about “going negative” on people who have behaved so negatively . . . Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves on a battlefield.

I keep going back to the way this nation (greatly blessed) was founded.  It wasn’t because our Founding Fathers turned the other cheek.  Tea in the harbor and all that. Lincoln’s generals trounced the enemies of the union at Gettysburg . . . and drove a stake through the heart of the Confederacy during Sherman’s march.  They weren’t “nice” about it. Hitler’s ovens were not shut down by Churchill sitting down and shutting up . . . or the Allies staying “positive”.  I think God expects good men and women (as individuals and collectively) speak and to act when faced with great injustice.

So I’m standing and speaking, and if it’s ugly/blunt so be it. We don’t live in a pretty world.”

And sometimes forgiveness, quite frankly, is the EASY way out.