As a result of the Holocaust, over 6 million innocent Jews perished under Nazi rule. Beyond that, millions of innocent civilians were also murdered under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Examining this massacre's atrocities and lasting trauma begs a tough question. Who, if anyone, should be forgiven of their involvement in the Holocaust?
The Holocaust cannot be forgiven
The impact of the Holocaust has been felt by survivors and their descendants years later. The lack of justice faced by the perpetrators, and consequently served to the victims, is a key barrier to forgiveness. The absence of genuine repentance on the part of the aggressors is another reason why the aggressors should not be forgiven.
The Holocaust cannot be forgiven because everyone has a conscience
Everyone has a conscience that guides their moral choices. The Nazis blatantly killed the Jews by choice, so they cannot be forgiven.
The Holocaust cannot be forgiven unless the perpetrators repent
Nazis do not deserve forgiveness because they cannot possibly repay for the trauma and death that they inflicted upon innocent people. They should not be granted any form of unmerited forgiveness.
The Holocaust cannot be forgiven because perpetrators have not faced justice for their actions
Following the Holocaust, perpetrators involved in torturing the Jews and others fled the justice system. A Naxi that refuses to face the consequences of their actions should not be forgiven.
The Holocaust cannot be forgiven because it is not our place to forgive
It is not up to society to forgive the Nazis for the Holocaust. The responsibility of whether or not to forgive should only be answered by the victims themselves.
In an extremely oppressive regime, Nazi soldiers, the Jewish council, and Hitler Youth were forced to comply out of fear or indoctrination. If they did not comply, their families and their own lives would be at risk.
Normal people were simply following orders during the Holocaust
When faced with the option of kill or be killed, Nazi soldiers had no choice but to follow the orders given to them.
Holocaust perpetrators were brainwashed so they can be forgiven
Soldiers and impressionable children were undoubtedly a target of the Nazi regime. They were brainwashed into believing that what they were doing was for the good of Germany.
Refusing to forgive the Holocaust gives more power to the oppressor
It is far more empowering to forgive someone by your own choice rather than waiting for the perpetrator to ask for forgiveness. By doing so, this puts the victim's healing in their own hands.
