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At what point does a person's good actions outweigh their bad ones?
Consider the following:
In all of those examples, good deeds are expected to make up for or cancel out the bad. Should this always be the case? Is there a point to balance the good and bad? Does it matter at what points the good or bad actions are done to affect each other? What do you think?
Consider the following:
- "Forgiveness" is a pretty big deal in our society: when someone wrongs you, you should forgive them. People who admit to doing wrong are told to pray for forgiveness or hope those they have hurt will forgive them. There is even a saying: "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission."
- People who break the law or violate rules are often forced to do community service for a certain period of time, after which they may resume their regular lives.
- Often times, people who have wronged others come back with an apology as a way to "right the wrong". However, sometimes they just gloss over what has been done as a matter in the past, and assume that by being nice all will be well or use previous good actions they've done to excuse the wrong.
- Criminals are released after doing hard time, where they are thought to be rehabilitated. Even those who are not repeat offenders are still judged by their past actions despite any attempts to "do good" by others. Sometimes convicts are accepted when enough people can acknowledge the good they have done since their crime. Sometimes criminals in court use previous good actions to try to cut down on their punishment.
In all of those examples, good deeds are expected to make up for or cancel out the bad. Should this always be the case? Is there a point to balance the good and bad? Does it matter at what points the good or bad actions are done to affect each other? What do you think?