How do you define forgiveness? Your answer may be used in a hub article.

1. 75

   arbposted 12 years ago

   How do you define forgiveness? Your answer may be used in a hub article.
   
   I find a lot of misunderstanding regarding what forgiveness is. Gathering answers from various sources for a hub article.

   replyreport
2. 80

   MsDoraposted 12 years ago

   Forgiveness is the attitude that the person who did me wrong deserves my patience and understanding.

   replyreport
3. 71

   stanwshuraposted 12 years ago

   Forgiveness is the thanks given for a full, genuine, and living gesture of sincere apology for some wrong committed upon you.

   replyreport
4. 72

   dashingscorpioposted 12 years ago

   To forgive does not mean to forget.
   Forgiveness means we have decided to free ourselves from dwelling on the pain or betrayal someone caused us. It's the first step in our effort to move on. Case in point some of the victims from the recent shooting at the Batman movie in Colorado have stated they have (forgiven the shooter). This doesn't mean they want to assoicate or hang out with him. It just means they have decided not to let his actions control their every thought.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      arbposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I wonder, does not remembering an offense, mean the same as forgetting the offense?

      replyreport
   2. 60

      QudsiaP1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Choosing to not remember it means it still resides in your memory; as far as forgetting it is concerned, forgiveness is a choice not a right.

      replyreport
5. 70

   Nellieannaposted 12 years ago

   Forgiveness is letting go of an offense, whether real or perceived,  freeing oneself of the resentment and extending to the offender the benefit of the doubt.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      arbposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      two things butterfly, 1) asking you to define forgiveness is like  asking the angels to define the new day and 2) what if there is no doubt?

      replyreport
   2. 70

      Nellieannaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If there is no doubt, then one gives oneself the benefit of the doubt, gives the offender pity and turns it over to a higher authority.
      BTW - there's no rule that one must forget it.  That would be silly.  One needs to stay out of the way of danger!

      replyreport
   3. 71

      stanwshuraposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dead-on perfect, Nellieanna.  The thing is,  I think I perceive danger, and my own vulnerability to it, differently than most.  Since childhood,  I been *MILITANTLY* defensive of my dignity for fear of irrepairable damage to confidence, image & l

      replyreport
6. 64

   cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

   Forgiveness is the letting go of anger and resentment for things that others have done to affect us.  In the process, we may not necessarily erase the wrongdoing, but we are willing to see past it and realize that we too are just as capable of committing  senseless and hurtful acts upon another. This realization usually takes away any rush to judgement and paves the way for forgiveness and catharsis.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      arbposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A lot of wisdom in your comment cat!

      replyreport
7. 38

   myownlifeposted 12 years ago

   Forgiveness is the best policy of human beings and the symbol of great personality.

   replyreport
8. 74

   Kathleen Cochranposted 12 years ago

   Sounds like a theme for another collaboration!
   I wrote a hub on this (haven't we all?) "I'm Angry - Don't Mess With Me"  Great question.  I think this might be your special gift: asking good questions!

   replyreport
   1. 75

      arbposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      hi kathleen, I will read your hub as part of my research. Thanks

      replyreport
   2. 74

      Kathleen Cochranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm honored.  I love this idea.  Ask a question and do a hub of the answers!

      replyreport
9. 82

   Derek Slarkposted 12 years ago

   Simply put I would define forgiveness as giving up the right to get even.

   replyreport
10. 61

    Jackwmsposted 12 years ago

    I would say, I have different levels of forgiveness. If I find someone did something bad or evil that affected my family or me, and might do it again, I would probably not forgive anytime soon.  But, if a person did something unintentionally or otherwise felt remorse, I would readily forgive them.. I quite like Nellieanna's answer concerning freeing oneself of the resentment. It is important to let go of that feeling.

    replyreport
    1. 70

       Nellieannaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Jack, I've had to move past the kinds of offenses which did affect my family & me  dramatically.  What sustained me even at the time it was in progress was that they couldn't "win" by causing me to react, behave & feel as ugly mean as they ha

       replyreport
    2. 75

       arbposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I like the answer Jack, probably where most people stand. For you repentence is the key.

       replyreport
11. 38

    Lyn Dianoposted 12 years ago

    Hello sir..
    I have been listening from a great teacher about lessons in life and God, and he had spoken about  forgiveness before. I do not want to alter  any of his words so I'll just give a link to some of his videos with his excerpts on different topics. This 2:52 video talks about your question sir.
    
    http://www.jagadguruchrisbutler.org/ang … nanda.html
    
    Hope this helps. :-)

    replyreport
12. 60

    tirelesstravelerposted 12 years ago

    Forgiveness is giving up my right to be angry at an offense.

    replyreport
13. 60

    QudsiaP1posted 12 years ago

    Before I begin let me explain that forgiveness is not easy... To allow the person of interest to have err and then to allow them to get away with it based on a few emotions.
    
    Arb, believe it or not, we human beings are vindictive creatures; if we hurt usually our first reaction is to avenge ourselves. If not actively then we leave it to karma but I seem to digress...
    
    Coming back to forgiveness; it is when one truly and wholeheartedly without any malevolence decides that they will hold no ill will against the said person of interest.
    
    When you are willing to let go of all conniving thoughts whether conceived directly or indirectly but letting go of them all together. When the memory itself fades and you allow it by never touching it again; by burying it deeper than deep into the depths of your soul never to be retrieved again.
    
    Forgiveness is when you let go and say I will never think of you or the event ever again. I will never relive any of it. I will always treat you with the same compassion as I did before.

    replyreport