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Forgiveness

Prejudice and Discrimination

Forgiveness

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." Christians around the world say these words every day. It sounds like a deal - I know I make mistakes, and I want to be forgiven, so I'll forgive other people who make mistakes to. The problem comes when someone does something to us that we feel is worse than anything we've done. It could be a partner cheating. It might be someone who lies to us, hurts us, steals from us. We may even be faced with losing someone we love.

In the Roman Catholic Church, people confess their sins and receive a penance. Our legal system works this way. When you pay the fine, complete your community service or come out of jail, you've paid the price for your sins, and get a second chance. In many states of America, where the majority of people are Christians, they have the death penalty for murderers. You've done something so wrong that you have to pay with your life.

This comes from 'An eye for an eye', a teaching of Moses. Jesus said if someone slapped you on one cheek, you should turn the other cheek. Christians are called to forgive everyone, to let go of the feeling of anger or resentment and to give every person a second chance. Sometimes this is really challenging. What if someone has killed a relative, maybe as a drunk driver. What if it was deliberate?

In this unit, we ask whether everyone deserves forgiveness. Do you have to be sorry to be forgiven? Do you have to make up for what you've done wrong? What if you can't forgive?

Although this topic is fascinating in its own right, how does it relate to the other topics in this section - to racism, sexism or religious prejdice?

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