What is of concern to me is the concept of forgiveness as it related to the perpetrator. I have had this conversation with quite a few internet friends. I maintain there are some acts so heinous forgiveness of the self, by the perpetrator, is inappropriate.

In such a case the best that can be hoped for, or worked toward, is acceptance... to be able to accept that one has done what one has done & then move on with a determination not to repeat a similarly heinous act. Those who were victimized may forgive if they so choose. They have that right. But for the perpetrator to forgive him or herself, in these types of more serious actions, is simply a further aggravation of the original act.

Beyond that, the concept of forgiveness is, for me, tied too closely to the idea of a god & concepts of right & wrong to be useful to me as an atheist.