Judge Herbert Volney sentenced the woman for refusing to testify against a police officer accused of extorting money from her in return for not arresting her brother. The woman, a born-again Christian, was advised to forgive and forget, and therefore to refrain from testifying. The Christian community spoke up against her stance. There are those who are for this young lady, admiring her convictions. There are others who see her as somewhat fanatical, and given bad advice.
Forgiveness is for personal wrong.
If you hurt me, and I forgive you, then I don t hold against you what you did to me. It s completely within my rights to forgive you for what you did to me. However, in this case, there has been a crime committed. Personal injuries are remedied in civil court, using tort law. Crimes against society, however, are remedied in criminal court, using criminal law.