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Jun 14, 2019Article Details
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The Universality of Forgiveness: Perspectives from Religion and Culture
Abstract
Among Christians, forgiveness is a virtue, and all are expected to practise this virtue. It is common, therefore, to hear expressions like “You are a Christian. You must forgive.” Such expressions highlight some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the concept of forgiveness. For instance, forgiveness is not only a Christian affair as wrongly perceived by many. It is a universal concept encouraged in both theological and secular contexts. Within the secular context, forgiveness is encouraged and promoted by psychologists for psychotherapy and general wellbeing. Within the theological context, it is preached and practised by almost all religions. This paper examines the religious and cultural perspectives of forgiveness with a view to showing its universality and relevance for peaceful co-existence, social harmony, and progressive nation-building.
