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Introduction
There perhaps is no effective way to show importance of forgiveness in human life. Human beings ranging from scholars, theologians and even atheists acknowledge that forgiveness is crucial to effective functioning of human life and relationships. Closely related to forgiveness is justice. Though various religions stress importance of both to human relationships, justice more or less conforms, albeit subtly to the vengeful nature of human beings.
Forgiveness and Justice
It is generally accepted that no human being can live independently from fellow human beings, thus the existence of clichés such as no man is an island . Smooth and harmonious relationships are primary to good and productive interdependent relationships among human beings. Central to the harmony, is the concept of forgiveness. Given the egocentric and self-seeking nature of human beings, some in society tend to engage in actions motivated by malice and that disrupt the necessary harmony for smooth relations.
Religion enforces the concept of forgiveness by urging people to overlook the malicious actions hence sayings such as to err is human, to forgive is divine . Marriage, family settings and places of work are some of the important platforms on which the need for forgiveness is evident. The need to mend relationships affected by both intentional and unintentional malicious human actions underscores the restorative nature and importance of forgiveness in interpersonal and social relationships.
According to Cecrle there is a tendency for advocates of forgiveness especially religious leaders to exalt the virtue to a point where it presupposes other important virtues such as clemency, mercy, restitution and justice (p. 72). Religion especially Christianity requires that the injured party in a conflict forgives and forgets. As much as this is desirable, it is humanly impossible. Though a wronged person would want to forgive, the vengeful nature of human beings does not allow it. Resentment that may easily grow to grudges builds up which in the long-term is not conducive for smooth human relations. Besides, the laws of nature have empowered authorities to institute corrective measures in a bid to compensate the aggrieved party, in a manner that makes them even. Justice connotes these collective measures.
Forgiveness and justice therefore are important virtues in human life. However, a candid description of both will label forgives as being unrealistic while justice is realistic. Religion, more often than not, fronts for forgiveness while authorities front for justice and restitution. Given that the approaches of both institutions are parallel, the feeling that forgiveness negates the need and purpose of justice is unavoidable. It is possible, sometimes, to solve social ills such as rape, murder, and robbery through forgiveness. However, even religious leaders agree that such ills leave scars that forgiveness alone cannot heal, even with justice measures such as execution (Helmick, p. 40). Many a times, wronged parties, both families and individuals with strong religious backgrounds come out in support of drastic justice measures like capital punishment. By so doing they acknowledge that forgiveness alone is not enough to ensure harmonious relationships among human beings. Therefore, fronting forgiveness alone as the only effective way to foster better human relations negates importance of justice, whose acceptance is universal.
Despite the importance of forgiveness, it is safe therefore to conclude that its realization is dependent on other virtues such as clemency, restitution and justice. Even in the establishment of corrective mechanisms such as Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commissions to foster reconciliation through forgiveness, justice is normally an important part of it.
Works Cited
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Cecrle, Randall. Balancing the Scales of Justice with Forgiveness and Repentance. New York: DREC Enterprises, 2007. Print.
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Helmick, Raymond. Forgiveness and reconciliation: religion, public policy & conflict transformation. Radnor: Templeton Foundation Press, 2001. Print.
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