Forgiving perpetrators can feel like betraying the dead to survivors

Evidence

Yet ideas of revenge in survivors may reflect their desire to keep faith with the dead (Ignatieff, 1998). Indeed, acceptance of reparations or forgiveness of perpetrators may be perceived by relatives of the dead and injured as a disrespectful act that betrays the memory of their loss. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 1314

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Perceiving victims and perpetrators as one human group lowers guilt assignment. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 1937; Recovery from profound loss can feel like a betrayal — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 313; Compassion for the enemy can feel like a betrayal of one’s own loyalties — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 240 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Compassion for the enemy can feel like a betrayal of one’s own loyalties #corroborates (0.85) — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 240
• Recovery from profound loss can feel like a betrayal #corroborates (0.82) — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 313
• Participants in wrongdoing can suffer from knowing it is shameful #corroborates (0.75)
• Perpetrators excuse harm by displacing blame and dehumanizing victims #corroborates (0.75)
• Bereaved people resent the dead because the dead abandon them #complicates (0.72) — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 183
• Moral self-censure strength depends on how perpetrators regard their victims. #expands (0.72) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 584