Forgiveness

This module explores the concept of forgiveness through the perspectives of both victims and former combatants and the significance it may or may not have for reconciliation and fully coming to terms with a traumatic event one has suffered or caused.

The film resource material in this module is divided into three strands which in turn consider the concept through:

• Forgiving: Perspectives of people on the moral high ground who can or want to forgive.
• Unforgiving: Perspectives of people on the moral high ground who can’t or won’t forgive.
• Moral Relevance of Forgiveness: Perspectives of people who see the relativity of the moral high ground on which the concept of forgiveness is based and so question the relevance of forgiveness.

Strand 1 is introduced by a piece of film which dramatises the conflict between a sister who can’t forgive and a mother who can. It then goes on to explore the circumstances that enable people to forgive. Strand 2 then explores circumstances that prevent people from being able to forgive. Finally Strand 3 explores the relativity of the moral high ground underpinning the concept of forgiveness and the possibility that in the circumstances of post conflict reconciliation, mutual understanding might be the best that is achievable. This final strand also reveals the connection between the concept of forgiveness and the concept of justice, thus setting up the next theme.