There are many moments in life, where one has to make a choice, but there are only a few where one collides with a split second decision. You only have a few breaths, a minute at most, to decide what to do. Simon Wiesenthal's had many moments in his 96 years of life, which he was faced with choices , yet the one he made the day he spent on the bedside of a German soldier was undoubtedly a moment which shaped the rest of his life . Karl Seidl, a 22 year old German soldier told Simon of the deeds he committed, towards the jews. As the final attempt to cleanse himself of his actions, Seidl asked Wiesenthal for forgiveness. Whatever choice was made by Simon would lead himself into feeling guilty . When Seidl asked for forgiveness, the load of his actions, was transferred to Simon whether it was Seidl’s intention or …show more content…
The responsibility of deciding whether Karl’s apology was sincere, or if the actions he committed would be pardonable by Wiesenthal, or anyone for that matter, was now Simon’s decision. This moment in time was one which had an impact around the world. The question aroused by the events of “the Sunflower,” led to thousands placing themselves in Simon’s shoes, and deciding whether to forgive or resent the dying Nazi. For myself, the answer to this question was difficult; to pardon one who had a hand in the massacre of a religious group, in this case my own , or forgive a man who seems to have ridden himself with guilt, and now awaits demise. If I were Simon, I would have replied to Karl, “ God is forgiving; he will know if you are truly apologetic, and he will decide whether to forgive you.” When given the task of finding an answer, I observed the opinion of several others. I made sure that the answer would not imply in anyway if Simon did forgive him, yet it would relieve Karl. I based my answer on religious views of forgiveness , and the philosophy behind