Open AccessSocial Responsibility within Thinking about Forgiveness
Author(s) -
Slávka Michančová
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
theologos/e-theologos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1338-1350
pISSN - 1335-5570
DOI - 10.2478/v10154-010-0019-1
Subject(s) - forgiveness , harm , ideal (ethics) , psychology , social psychology , process (computing) , criminology , sociology , law , political science , computer science , operating system
Social Responsibility within Thinking about Forgiveness In Christian communities, victims of serious harm are often pressed to forgive their offenders without proper explanation of the concept of forgiveness. Quick forgiveness is often seen as the ideal solution to the problems that crime has caused. However the misunderstanding of the concept does not contribute to the healing of anyone involved (offender, victim, and community); rather it undermines the process of restoration. The author of the article tries to clarify how to understand the biblical request for forgiveness and describe various components of the forgiveness process. The content of the article should be useful for helping professions (especially for social workers, counselors, therapists, priests and pastoral workers) that come in contact with victims and perpetrators of crime.