There is a streak in American society that I’ll label “perpetual punishment” that certain people keep trying to push.

And it does seem to mix with tribalism and racism.

When I lived in Japan I noticed that even though some punishments there were severe compared to what we dole out in the US (at least for certain crimes), there was also quite a bit forgiveness.

This idea of perpetual punishment maybe is a carry over from the doctrine of Eternal Damnation?