A neutral stance toward the wrongdoer may, in some cases, indicate a denial of the pain that the injured person is experiencing. “Dick always acts like that; I’ll just let it roll off my back.” By contrast, the process of forgiveness leads to more clearly identifying the wrongdoing, accurately attributing the responsibility to the wrongdoer, and acknowledging the pain of the injury.
A neutral stance may also deny the value of the wrongdoer. “Dick always acts like that. It’s best just to discount him as a person.” The process of forgiving, however, while acknowledging the responsibility of the wrongdoer for the injury also acknowledges the complexity and value of the wrongdoer as a fellow human being.