Forgiveness and living outside the law can be a dangerous combination.  This article (http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/January-February-2005/feature_labi_janfeb05.msp) is a pretty horrifying account of what happens when there is no social deterrence of wrongdoing.  Not everyone has a perfect moral compass, and the recognition that either a) you will be thrown in jail for doing wrong or b) your community will not forgive you for doing wrong will make some difference in preventing those who are weaker from becoming perpetual victims, forever forgiving those who harm them.