As we forgive our debtors

Christian Century, May 31, 2005

AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS: The ability to forgive another person depends on a number of factors, including one's religious convictions. Feelings of empathy, sympathy, compassion and altruistic love toward an offender help erode negative feelings stemming from the offense. These positive feelings can be stimulated by religion, which in turn can "stimulate a mercy motive and a grace motive," according to Everett L.

Worthington Jr., director of the nonprofit A Campaign for Forgiveness Research. Other factors in the ability of a person to forgive include the ongoing behavior of the offender, the emotional maturity of the offended and how safe and secure that person feels. More mature people are readier to forgive because they are less needy (Science and Theology News, May 5).