11.2.1 Forgiveness & Reconciliation (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

What is Forgiveness?

• Forgiveness is when a person stops feeling hurt for something that has happened to them

• Many religious and non-religious people believe that forgiveness and reconciliation are important to allow criminals to be reconciled with the community

• If no effort was made to forgive or reconcile criminals they may feel more isolated and be more likely to re-offend

• Some societies offer opportunities for criminals to re-enter society, through schemes giving ex-offenders jobs and qualifications

• Many people believe that restorative justice helps the criminals and their victims to understand each other and help with the reconciliation process

• Finding peace through forgiveness and reconciliation and resolving conflict is important for Christians and Muslims

• Although, most religious people do believe that individuals should be punished for their crimes and receive justice

What is Reconciliation?

• Reconciliation is bringing people together that were previously in conflict to make peace

• Sometimes this can happen when there is a personal conflict between friends, family members or associates

• It can also happen between countries when there has been war or the threat of conflict

• Sometimes, an intermediary is brought in to try and mediate conflicting parties to achieve a peaceful outcome 

• Reconciliation is also a sacrament within the Roman Catholic tradition and relates to the individual asking God for forgiveness through confession

Religious Teachings on Forgiveness & Reconciliation

• Christians and Muslims believe that God is forgiving and merciful

• As God is merciful to them, they believe that they should forgive other people

• By forgiving others, they are ensuring that peace is achieved and conflict is avoided

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Christianity

• Christianity is based upon the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation and agape love

• Christians believe that the power of forgiveness and love can lead to reconciliation and the ending of conflict
  

• Christianity is clear about views on forgiveness and reconciliation and the Bible provides teachings on this for Christians to follow:

  • Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation

  • When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother up to 7 times, Jesus told him he should forgive him 70 x 7 times (Matthew 18: 22)

  • Jesus says,

• If Christians expect God's forgiveness, they must also forgive others

• The Lord's Prayer states that Christians should forgive others

• Jesus told people to seek reconciliation in any disagreements they had before offering a gift to God at the temple

• All Christians believe that justice is important because God is just and Christians should follow His example

• Justice relates to fairness and the fair thing to do is to try and forgive others and aim for reconciliation over conflict

• God shows that He is just by being merciful and the expectation is for humans to do the same

• Many Christians believe that if someone repents their sins and asks for forgiveness, then they will be shown mercy

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Islam

• Muslims believe strongly in justice and that all people should be treated fairly

• Maintaining justice is an important duty of their roles as khalifah of Allah's creation

• Muslims would follow Islamic teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation based upon the Qur'an and the example of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • Muhammad (pbuh) always tried to restore fractured relationships within his own life and Muslims should try to do the same

  • The hadiths of the prophet are clear about the importance of forgiveness

• Muslims believe it is important to show mercy, in the hope that Allah will do the same on the Day of Judgement

• It is possible for Muslims to seek retribution but they would always be encouraged to forgive first

• However, some crimes are seen as so bad that people may not be forgiven. For example, shirk