9/11: Are We Expected to Forgive?

Father Mychal Judge lost his life ministering at the Twin Towers on 9/11

One of the most basic foundations for any person of faith is the notion put forth by 18th century English poet Alexander Pope in that "to err is human, to forgive divine", and that we should love even our enemies. But how far does that go?

Are the families and friends of those killed in the Islamofascist terror attacks against America on September 11th, 2011 expected to forgive the terrorists who carried out the attacks and those who helped plan it, including people like the now-deceased Osama bin Laden?

Are the families of Holocaust victims to be expected to forgive their Nazi captors and murderers, including Adolf Hitler? The families of Sharon Tate, the Labiancas, and their other victims expected to forgive Charles Manson and his followers? The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman expected to forgive O.J.?

Would the widow of murdered Philly cop Danny Faulkner, Maureen, and his fellow Philadelphia police officers be expected to forgive Mumia Abu-Jamal? Would all of the jPhilly police officers' families who had their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, parents, friends and co-workers taken from them in recent years, even over the department's history, be expected to forgive those who murdered or were otherwise responsible for the deaths?

There is an easy answer to what is basically one question: should we be expected to forgive people for the very worst things that they could possibly due to us and our loved ones. That answer is an unequivocal, resounding, empowering "Yes".

Casey Anthony Just Latest Doe-Eyed Criminal

Casey Anthony is a reasonably attractive, obviously articulate, and at least somewhat intelligent 22-year old woman who in August of 2005 at the age of 18 gave birth to a daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony.

The father of her baby wasn't in the picture, and Casey proceeded to try to raise the young child with the help of her own parents. This is a situation not unfamiliar to many young women around the world.

Also like many young people in her situation, Casey was not very mature in taking on the role of motherhood. Despite having the responsibilities of being mom to a young daughter, she also still had the desires of others her age. She wanted to go out and party, to date men and have a good time with her girlfriends.

And as it turns out, Casey Anthony is also another in a long line of what some refer to as 'doe-eyed' criminals. There was something wrong with Casey Anthony behind those doe eyes, that winsome smile, and that pretty face. She was a habitual liar, which is problematic in itself. But then things took a turn for the worse.

Sometime during the middle of June in 2008, just short of her 3rd birthday, little Caylee went missing. Casey didn't let anyone know of the disappearance until a month later when her own parents began to suspect that something was wrong and notified authorities. This set into motion a months-long investigation that finally led to the discovery of little Caylee's dead body in December, and Casey being charged with her murder.

What Are Some Parents Thinking?

The ShopRite supermarket in Easton, PA received a simple request. The store provides birthday cakes, as many major chain groceries do now, and the parents of a little 3-year old boy wanted simply to buy a cake and have the tots name put on top.

You know, "Happy Birthday so-and-so." Very simple, right? How much controversy could there be?

There was just one teeny, weeny, little problem for the store employee in the bakery section: the little tots name is Adolf Hitler Campbell.

These parents named their child after one of the worst human beings in the history of the planet. Perhaps the next will be Charles Manson Campbell?

Nope, because they actually already have two other children: 2-year old JoyceLynn Arian Nation Campbell, and 1-year old Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell. I mean, what happened there? Why not go right out and have the guts to call the kid Heinrich Himmler Campbell?

Seriously, some parents should have their heads examined. Parents name their kids for these goofy shock value reasons, never considering that the poor kid has to grow up and live with this name for the rest of their life.

Now, I am all for naming your child after your favorite movie star, music star, politician, baseball player, what have you. But let's be reasonable here, folks. There is a line.