Apologizing On Behalf of Your Country or Religion?

[Josh]

Is Apologizing On Behalf of Your Country or Religion a good idea?

I've recently heard of several examples of someone apologizing to others on behalf of their country or religion. Kirby brought up an example from "God Deliver Me From Your Followers", Donald Miller also talks about doing something like this (apologizing for the crusades) in "Blue Like Jazz".

I've heard strong opinions on both sides of the question, which usually comes down to a debate about corporate vs. individual responsibility. I don't really have my mind made up on the subject.

[christopher]

I think you should add generation to that list as well.

I don't think it's necessarily a matter of who's responsible (corp vs. ind), but a matter of acknowledging a wrong done to someone. I think there's a difference. And if there are deep seated resentments and prejudices because of those wrongs, than I think it's entirely appropriate and gracious to "apologize" for them. In "Lord, save us from your followers" the guy was apologizing for his personal biases inherited from his conditioning as well as telling people he was sorry for the way that had been treated by the church. Not on behalf of the church, but as a representative of Christ.

I see it kind of like apologizing for your kids' disrupting tantrum or for your dogs' pooping on your neighbors' lawn. You didn't do it, but you have some degree of associative responsibility to make ammends IMO.

[robin]

However, comments like "save me from your followers" portrays a sense of moral superiority. I don't see any need in throwing our brothers and sister in Christ under the bus in order to appease the sensitivities of people who may have no right to be offended. I believe that the best solution in a case where a Christian has done harm to the name of Christ by mistreating others in his name, would be for the church to bring it to the attention of the offender, and then follow the biblical model for church discipline if there is no repentance.

My concern is that if I place myself between to two parties (offender and offended) I my very well be an obstacle in the way of reconciliation. Not to mention the fact that I could be damaging my relationship with the offender.

I recognize that Chris's analogy about children and dogs does have merit, but I find that in most cases I had no control of the situation like I would with my own children. Plus if my children do misbehave, I require that they make amends personally. I think it would be perceived as insincere to apologize on behalf of my children. However, I could apologize for neglecting my responsibility as a parent, and that would seem entirely appropriate.

[Josh]

Robin,

You were one of the ones I had in mind that I knew had a strong opinion on this subject

This outta be good. Mwwwwahhhhhhaaahhhaaaahhhaahhh.

[Kirby]

I think there is a large difference between apologizing for specific actions and empathizing with hurt feelings.

I should not (and logically CAN not) apologize on behalf of the church for mistreatment of homosexuals, or apologize to African Americans on behalf of this country for slavery.

However, I can empathize with hurt feelings and commit to proactively making a change (whether it be by changing my personal actions or educating others etc.)

In other words, displying sorrow is not the same thing as admitting guilt. And sometimes, saying "sorry" can be used for both situations.

[Josh]

It's true, the word "sorry" does have a (sometimes) confusing double meaning in English usage.