How do you know when someone can be redeemed and when they just need a smite to the face? Like, should you try to redeem (say) Bane from Batman or just shoot him and be done with it?

wearepaladin:

wearepaladin:

One of the hardest questions to deal with. But for me, there has to be a sign that they actually want that redemption. I would try to save Darth Vader because he’s in a prison of his and his master’s design, and grasps desperately at his son for freedom. I wouldn’t bother with Kylo Ren because even with Snoke dead, he’s where he wants to be.

Redemption is a team effort. You can’t pull up someone who is trying to stab you.

Bringing this back to address a comment made by a follower, who believes that redemption should always be offered. And I agree, to a point. The opportunity to be better than who we were is a freedom that should never be cut away.

But as much as we are obligated to bring the light to those in the dark, so to is it our responsibility to protect those threatened by darkness. Even those who are atoning are not free from either consequence or justice. Nor should they be.

Redemption means quite literally to whipe the slate clean, to start again fresh, but before that can be done, debts must be paid. That is why for many it is a life long quest to balance the scales of their actions.

A Paladin who faces one who has fallen needs to consider all of that and more. Justice without mercy is cruelty, and mercy without justice is enablement. Remember that the next time you look upon one you might save. Try, but remember they need to meet you halfway. It is within your power to forgive, but in theirs to atone.