Video Courtesy of WFAA
RELATED: BLACK CHRISTIANS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CONFLICTED ABOUT GUYGER AND FORGIVENESS
Joshua Brown, a key witness in former police officer Amber Guyger’s trial, was shot dead on Friday night in the parking lot of his new apartment building, according to The Dallas Morning News. He lived right across the hall from Botham Jean’s apartment at the time of the shooting and feared he might get shot one day for his testimony. S. Lee Merritt, Esq., a civil rights lawyer and social justice activist who represents the Jean family, said on Facebook that he will work to find justice for the Brown family. Although it’s too early to say who or why Brown was killed, his mother suspects foul play as he reportedly had no known enemies and was a working guy.
I just spoke with Joshua Browns mother. She is devastated. We all are. Joshua Brown was key witness in the murder of Botham Jean that helped put Amber Guyger away. We need answers. pic.twitter.com/5BCdkVXoQ4
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) October 5, 2019
Botham’s brother is teaching the nation the difference btw Justice & Mercy. The justice system should have given Amber Guyger more time. That is what her actions deserved. Brandt, however, was willing to extend to her forgiveness and love despite her actions, that’s mercy. pic.twitter.com/8fZKrOTS05
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) October 4, 2019
This comes off the heels of Christians being conflicted on social media over the outward displays of forgiveness on behalf of Jean’s brother and the judge in the case.
If it turns out that the killers were retaliating against a witness, It’s almost as if they were hell-bent on making sure justice was not completely served for Botham Jean. (Of course, Guyger getting 10 years was somewhat of an injustice in itself.) Was it some kind of intimidation tactic to keep other witnesses from testifying against police officers — or white people in general? And more importantly, how do we muster up our courage to forgive the Brown killers, too? We know what the Bible says about forgiveness, but it’s a test of faith indeed as social media is coming down pretty hard on Christians after this latest tragic event.
We’re being executed and we are giving out hugs and bibles to the very people who murder us. #JoshuaBrown https://t.co/kH9AEVZFJE
— P. Gabrielle Foreman (@profgabrielle) October 6, 2019
So are black Christians ready to forgive Botham Jean’s neighbor Joshua Brown, who was killed too or nah? Just trying to see how devout y’all really are. https://t.co/uhUmpwMtbc
— I’m Me & You’re You (@strixtly4myngz) October 6, 2019
Pseudo-forgiveness has been described in the psychological literature. It is defined as believing that one has forgiven when in fact one has not. Its context is usually psychological defenses. Others feel compelled to profess forgiveness the relieve feelings of guilt for not forgiving, to comply with pressure from others, to meet the demands of religion (and avoid God’s anger and punishment), or to avoid escalating conflict.Further, premature forgiveness may be considered false forgiveness.