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The Psychology of Forgiveness in the World Religions

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Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Part of the book series: Peace Psychology Book Series ((PPBS))

Abstract

Understanding the psychology of forgiveness within the religions is critically important these days as religions seem to be among the most robust forces that can either help or hinder all kinds of human relationships. The topic of forgiveness occupies a central place in all of the major world religions, with the assumption that there is something wrong with the human condition. That is to say, something or many things need to be repaired, and the religions offer a variety of insight, wisdom, and aid to do so.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Max Weber’s work, The Theory of Social and Economic Organization(New York: The Free Press, 1947); The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism(New York: Scriber’s Press, 1958); Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1978); The Sociology of Religion(Boston: Beacon Press, 1993); Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism(New York: The Free Press, 1958); and The Religion of China: Confucianism and Taoism(1951).

  2. 2.

    For instance, a partial list of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, with their religious leadership, includes Argentina (Roman Catholic Bishop Jaime de Nevares, Rabbi Marshall Meyer, and Methodist Bishop Carlos T. Gattinoni), East Timor (Clergymen Jovito Araujo and Agustinho de Vasconcelos), Ecuador (a representative of the Ecuadoran Bishops’ Conference), Nigeria (Rev. Matthew Kuka), Panama (Catholic Alberto Santiago, Protestant Bishop Julio Murray), Peru (Dean of Catholic University, Salomon Lerner Fresnes, Father Gaton Garatea), South Africa (Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu), and Uruguay (Archbishop Nicolas Cotungo, Jesuit priest Claudio Williman).

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Farhadian, C.E., Emmons, R.A. (2009). The Psychology of Forgiveness in the World Religions. In: Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Peace Psychology Book Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0181-1_4

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