And Schimmel observes a fundamental difference between Judaism and Christianity when it comes to forgiveness: Judaism overall is more concerned with guaranteeing justice than with forgiving incorrigible sinners, whereas Christianity, at least in its foundational prayer and creeds, if not in its actions, talks more of forgiveness as an act of grace, given even to the undeserving and not-yet-repentant, than of justice. In what probably strikes Christians as a bit slender on mercy, Schimmel adds: We have to imitate God, and God, for the most part, punishes unrepentant sinners and forgives
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