Loving and forgiving your enemies

[Longhorn]

I don't think loving and forgiving someone who raped and murdered your little daughter is something that can ever come naturally. I think the "natural" response would be to feel hatred and revenge for that person. 

Exactly. That's why I don't think it 'should' be done. That's why I'm saying it shouldn't be considered a moral *duty*.

I definitely think love and forgiveness of someone who has done something so heinous is something that cannot be accomplished without commitment and effort and the conscious decision to do so. I don't see how this makes it insincere, though.

Because, it's (most likely) not because you actually forgive someone, but because you feel you should. It's hard to convey into words. Maybe insincere isn't the best one. But it's not as genuine. It's devalued like Rhythm said. And sometimes, like drfuzzy explained, it can be solely for the feeling of moral superiority, but I'm not saying it's the case with the woman from the OP, I think it isn't.

I have a problem with saying 'you should forgive'. 'You should let go' is a piece of very good advice that can save someone from becoming bitter, but it doesn't necessarily entail forgiving. I haven't forgiven, but I let go, for my own sake. I'm not going around preaching hate against what hurt me. I still hate it, but I don't let that hate hurt me more. I don't take it out and don't let it control me. Maybe I can forgive, but I definitely can't love my enemy. I don't feel that I should.

(Rant over. Time for bed ._.)