Unit 3: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Question 1

Quote by Pastor of Church shot by Dylann Roof

Answer 1

‘Forgiveness is recognising we are all in the same boat, we’re all the same, not perfect.’

Question 2

What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

Answer 2

• Formed by Desmond Tutu
• The central purpose of the Commission was to promote reconciliation and forgiveness among perpetrators and victims of apartheid.
• Tutu uncovered the truth about human rights violations that occurred under apartheid.
• Ultimate goal was reconciliation and settling the conflicts between South Africa’s different races.
• God’s OMNIBENELOVENT NATURE inspired Tutu and the scripture ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ (Matthew 5:9)

Question 3

What is forgiveness?

Answer 3

Forgiveness means making a choice to let go of the wrongs that have been done.

Question 4

What is reconciliation?

Answer 4

Reconciliation is the restoring of relationships between former enemies and the creation of trust and understanding between them, rather than hostility and hatred.

Question 5

What is absolution?

Answer 5

Release from guilt and shame.

Question 6

Christian teachings and beliefs about justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

Answer 6

• Jesus’ teachings make it clear that forgiveness is very important
• Story of the adulterous woman where Jesus didn’t condemn her, He forgave her
• Jesus teaches through the Lord’s Prayer that forgiveness must be sought by the individual from God
• In the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, a person can confess their sins to the priest and they’re given absolution
• God has forgiven them
• In Romans, Paul teaches that Christians should avoid responding to any situation with an attitude of revenge, for revenge belongs to God
• Instead, Christians should act with loving kindness, even towards their enemies

Question 7

Give an example of extreme forgiveness

Answer 7

• In the Charleston shooting the Pastor’s daughter openly forgave the murderer who had killed many members of her family, Dylann Roof.
• Relatives of the Emanuel church victims stood up one by one in the courtroom, offering forgiveness to the man accused of murdering their sons, mothers and grandfathers in cold blood

Question 8

Is forgiveness always possible?

Answer 8

• Some people don’t agree that forgiveness is always possible.
• Forgiveness requires repentance
• When people are unable to come to a place of repentance for their own actions, forgiveness by others can be said to be impossible
• Also, a person who doesn’t see that they are in the wrong will see no need for forgiveness.
• Repentance is more than just saying sorry, it’s completely changing from your wrong actions and thinking.

Question 9

Different Christian viewpoints on forgiveness

Answer 9

A Catholic may believe forgiveness is possible through a priest, a fundamentalist may believe that forgiveness is mandatory and a liberal may believe that forgiveness isn't possible in extreme circumstances.