by Paul Ruth

Created on: February 13, 2009

In the most practical sense, forgiveness is progress. Holding on to anger and hurt does not allow one to move on with life. Think of it in terms of how many think of trust. If humans never trusted one another, then life as we know it could never survive. Driving down the road could not be possible because you could not trust the other drivers. Restaurants could not be trusted to be safe. Forgiveness is the same way. Just about everyone in your life will disappoint you in some way. If they have not, then you have not known them long enough. The fact is, people get over it. They forgive.

Forgiveness is at the center of religious life. Religion becomes fitting because almost all of humanity subscribes to some type of belief at some kind of level. So, if there is something that humans have been believing in since humans could think, then why is forgiveness such a vast part of it? It is because forgiveness is the base of human survival with one another. If a mother can never forgive her child, then how will that child ever grow up? When an employer forgives an employee, is that not better than starting over with someone new? It is natural for people to forgive as natural as it is to love. If one have never forgave, then they have never loved.

Forgiveness is more than just saying it. Forgiveness is a relationship of love. A person is forgave when when they do not commit the act habitually. It is a change of heart, a movement of the soul, a progressive movement to be a better person in the world. The act of forgiveness involves both people. The one who is to be forgave, and the one who is forgiving. In order to be truly forgiven, one must repent. Showing penitence is a rebuilding of the soul. One must honest change their outlook onto the world. This may not be drastic, there are degrees of wrong and therefor forgiveness. For one to be forgave, and for one to forgive, there must be a strengthening of the hope of love, so that life can progress.

The relationships which humanity holds dear all share a common aspect, which is peace. Peace is sought on every level of a relationship. Whether it is the United Nations, or two united in marriage, peace is not only sought, but needs to be achieved for happiness and life to be nourished. And this is the true instant value of forgiveness. Together, humanity can move faster when we all forgive faster. We cannot obtain peace with out progress, and we cannot obtain progress without forgiveness.

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