The trial of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been steadily working its way through a federal courtroom over the past three months.

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters

Unlike many trials, there was agreement between the jury and the defendant that the defendant actually committed the crime in question. In his remarks in court yesterday, Tsarnaev said “If there’s any lingering doubt about that, let there be no more.” He added, “I did along with my brother [the late Tamerlan Tsarnaev].”

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters. I took interest in the sentencing phase of the trial. Great effort was made on the part of the defense to demonstrate that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was remorseful for his actions. The jury did not agree with the defense. I understand there is a wide spectrum of opinion on this subject. I understand that juries get things wrong from time to time. All I know is that points were argued, testimonies were heard, evidence was presented, and a decision was made.

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters. Tsarnaev apologized in his remarks in court yesterday, saying “Now, I am sorry for the lives that I’ve taken, for the suffering that I’ve caused you, for the damage that I’ve done. Irreparable damage.”

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters. Some of the victims were unmoved by Tsarnaev’s apology. The general public seemed to have a certain small degree of sympathy.

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters. One of the many things I appreciate about the New Message from God is its unqualified condemnation of religious violence. I pray that I would never commit violence in the name of my religion. I pray that everyone on earth would pray that they would never commit violence in the name of their religion. I pray that the eyes of those who do violence in the name of their religion would be opened, that they would quit their ignorance and the teachings they were taught. I will pray these prayers until I die or until they are granted, whichever comes first.

Genuine remorse? Oh yes, it matters. Thinking about the Tsarnaev trial has inspired me to add one more prayer to my list. I pray that the hearts of those who do violence in the name of their religion would feel genuine remorse for their misrepresentation of God, and their injury to people. I pray they would express that remorse in a way people can understand.

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