Regardless of which religion one may follow or study, fundamental beliefs and values are present in many ways, regardless of how they are interpreted and practised within each religion. Forgiveness is omnipresent in religion, as it is a crucial teaching of bringing peace and acceptance into one’s life, thus having a vital presence throughout many religions. Without forgiveness, it would be impossible to fully accept oneself and others and look past their mistakes and differences, which is why it is such an integral part of so many religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism all exemplify the theme of forgiveness through various practices and beliefs within each religion. The Buddhist belief of the end of suffering reflects …show more content…
One cannot hold on to anger, and part of relieving anger is being forgiving. In doing so, one no longer feels resentment towards others, which help them be more balanced and loving towards everyone. This concept is also encouraged in The Way of the Celestial Masters, through confession. Furthermore, one must maintain balance within their life, and anger or hatred can throw off this balance. Forgiveness is an important aspect of maintaining inner peace, as it allows a person to let go of anger and resentment, finding balance with love and compassion for others. One Taoist story which teaches of forgiveness, is about a sage who made his student carry a sack of potatoes. Carved into each potato were names of everyone who had hurt the student. He soon realized what a burden it was to carry around, symbolizing how carrying anger or resentment puts a heavy burden on someone over time. The bag, being a metaphor for one’s adhere to negative energy and …show more content…
Central to Christian belief, is the impact of death and rebirth of Jesus Christ. It is believed the world was redeemed for all of their sins, through the death of Jesus; the price they had to pay to be forgiven by God. Another evident example of forgiveness in Christianity, the practice of confession. In order for one to be forgiven for their sins, they must go to confession and confessed their sins to a priest, who then prays so God can forgive the sinner. Every sin they have committed must be confessed, otherwise they will not receive the forgiveness of God. Furthermore, reconciliation is the idea of mending bonds between two people, and forgiving each other for whatever has come between them. This act is encouraged by God, who wants His followers to forgive each other, as He forgives them. Another example of the prominence of forgiveness within the Christian faith, is reconciliation. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” - Matthew
The Crucible – Forgiveness & nbsp; The Healing Power Of Forgiveness - The Gift of Reconciliation. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." --- Mahatma Gandhi & nbsp; Forgiveness is a process of inner healing. For most of the people in The Crucible, they did not need to necessarily forgive others but forgive themselves.
The Christian faith focuses on the orientation of the human heart behind human thoughts and actions. Living by faith is a beautiful alternative to the way people think of themselves and the way they live in relation to others in their daily lives (Merrick, 2014). Christians see themselves in terms of God’s profound love for them but not in terms of what they do. The teachings of the Christian faith; nonviolence, non-retaliation, inward integrity, selflessness, and love your neighbor as yourself provide the framework for ethical thinking. Although, adopting belief in Christianity can bring forth confusion in the heart and mind causing agony of learning to sacrifice one’s rightful claims for personal justice for the restoration of another (Merrick, 2014). Unconditional forgiveness is difficult to understand because spiritual forgiveness and actual costly forgiveness is viewed as the same in the gospel. If you do not forgive, then one does not have faith in God’s forgiveness as it really is. Christianity influences a person thinking and behavior developing wisdom which requires faith. The faith that is needed to reorient the heart away from selfishness to selflessness.
Jesus began, "repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," or is it, do penance: "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 K.J.V.). The two words repent and penance have somewhat the same connotation in the understanding of having sorrow for ones’ sins, nevertheless the two words are at the heart of Christianity and Christendom. The Catholic Church exerts the Latin term “paenitentiam agite” to justify its position on sacramental penance. The Latin term can be variously translated into English by the word repent or do penance, though similar, but somehow un-unified as earthly is with spiritual. This concept of repentance and abhorrence of one's sins before God is a heart issue. To do penance for one's sins before God is a heart issue. The dividing factor between the two words is who can know an individual’s heart in relationship to the scripture; As Paul wrote, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10 K.J.V.). The same factor affects the relationship between Christianity and Christendom, who can discern the motives of human hearts in relationship to history. Christianity is a universal appeal to man's heart, heart of Christendom is a universal appeal for an earthly kingdom. The union of these two or schism as one wishes to perceive, is in the concept of a visible church and an invisible church.
Christian’s are supposed to be forgiving because God is. In the words of Charles Stanley, “We are to forgive so that we may enjoy God's goodness without feeling the weight of anger burning deep within our hearts. Forgiveness does not mean we recant the fact that what happened to us was wrong. Instead, we roll our burdens onto the Lord and allow Him to carry them for us." This quote helps better understand that I don’t forgive because it natural, but instead because God forgave me. I need to forgive by faith until God’s work is done. This relates to sacrifice in the fact that I can sacrifice my own feelings, in order to let God do His
Forgiveness and justice are very similar than we believe them to be. We believe that justice is
One aphorism that hit me is “To learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others”. I had a few people in my life that had hurt me so much that I hated them. But, I was so miserable that I was not happy. I prayed to God to help me forgive them, a little by little I learned to forgive myself and then forgive them.
When compared to each-other, each of the religion’s approach to justice and forgiveness is remarkably similar. Although the customs and standards may vary widely, and in fact vary even within different sects of each religion, justice and forgiveness operate on largely the same principle: man’s nature is to act against God’s justice, but man is capable of repairing his relationship with God through the process of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feeling and attitude regarding an offense; let’s go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender. Walter (1984) stated that forgiveness is a voluntary process that usually requires courage and multiple acts of the will to complete. In Walters' view, the person who has been hurt has two alternatives: to be destroyed by resentment which leads to death, or to forgive which leads to healing and life. Sonja Lyubomirsky calls forgiveness is a natural resolution of the grief process, which is the necessary acknowledgment of pain and loss. It is a powerful choice that can lead to greater well being and better relationships.
Buddhism offers many insights into the topic of anger and forgiveness. Buddhist teachings suggest peaceful, non-violent ways in order to prevent suffering and anger. The eightfold path teaches ways to relieve suffering and anger. Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh preaches compassion as a way to fully comprehend forgiveness. The Buddhist path is one that offers many ways to show compassion for fellow men, the earth, as well as every day conflicts.
Introduction In the Christian faith there are many beliefs and acts for the baptized Catholic to follow, such acts consist of the sacraments, for which there are seven. Many people believe that of all the Sacraments, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most complex and difficult to understand. Those who approach the Sacrament, are able to obtain pardon from God for the offenses committed against him, this enables them to be reconciled with the Church, which they wounded by their sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation because it “imparts to the sinner the life of God who reconciles.”
Marty, Martin E. "The ethos of Christian forgiveness." Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research and theological perspectives (2008): 9-28.
Reconciliation is the sacrament of a loving encounter with a merciful God as you have rightly stated above. Wueri in his pastoral letter to the faithful in his diocese, he asserts, “We are not left to our own devices.” For the simple reason that the effect of Adam’s sin into the world, such as death, disharmony, confusion, disruption and struggle; Jesus through the sacraments restores harmony and gives us newness of life in grace (3). Just as we consult the doctor for illness, eat food when hungry, go to school to acquire knowledge, the priest in the sacrament of penance gives us instructions and absolution to renew our souls.
Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender of any wrong or hurt they may have caused you whether they deserve it or not. It is a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group of people. When we choose to forgive, we’re wiping the slate clean, cancelling a debt, or as I love to say, “Letting it go.” In the Bible, the Greek word for forgiveness literally means to “let it go.” This concept, “forgiveness,” is easier said than done. Majority of people find it very difficult to let go of offenses and hurts caused by others. I really do believe that most people desire to let it go, but we lack the knowledge of how to do it. As believers, we are instructed by God maintain an attitude of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is freedom. There is a key that opens the door to healing, happiness and peace, that key is forgiveness. Forgiveness starts from you and it is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Forgiveness of both self and others is the most powerful tool we have, and it is readily attainable to all of us .Take a step of creating a kinder humanity by forgiving someone in your life. If you are convinced and ready to forgive, you may be wondering where to start. My suggestion is to start small by letting go of the grudges, bitterness and anger.
A strong Christian lesson on the true nature of forgiveness can be found in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount: