problem must be that although this forgiveness is all rather wonderful, one can't help but wonder whether this line of Western apology can ever actually work.

The truth is that I used to think like that too: that love and forgiveness conquers all, that the universe rewards the good.

Indeed, when I was in an abusive relationship (on this occasion, as the abused), I discovered that the more conciliatory I was, the more abusive he became.

Since then it's occurred to me that it's not the good and all-forgiving who get to heaven, but the strong and the just - those who stand up for what is right. But then again, these days, it seems to be increasingly difficult to know exactly what is right.