Forgiveness Questions

What is meant by ‘forgiveness’? (2 marks) (Select two parts of the definition)

• To grant pardon for a wrongdoing

• To seek revenge

• to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer

• To hold onto hate

b) Describe the purpose of forgiveness (5 marks)

• To get revenge

• rebuild relationships

• accepting apologies moving forward

• enable religious believers to reach deeper levels of spiritual understanding

• Christians and Muslims to forgive others if they want to be forgiven

C) Explain from two different religions attitudes towards forgiveness (8 marks) Christianity

• Forgiveness prominent through the Bible

• Follows examples - Unmerciful servant 'if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins' (Matthew 6:14)

• Focus on paying for what people have done wrong

• Follow Jesus' examples - adulterous women and Zacchaeus

• Christians recite the Lord's prayer which asks God to forgive others sin, as they forgive those who have sinned against them'

c) Explain from two different religions attitudes towards forgiveness (8 marks) Islam

• Shari'ah law uses capital punishment as a reform of retribution

• Qur'an states those that forgive will rewarded by God

• Islam accepts that humans are not perfect and make mistakes

• Two types of forgiveness, God's and human's

• Allah is known as 'merciful', 'forgiving'

D) Forgiveness is not always possible - Which statement agrees with this?

• The Prophet Muhammad forgave his enemies

• Jesus forgave those mocking him on the cross

• Some crimes are too hard to forgive

• Forgiveness is crucial for moving forward

D) Forgiveness is not always possible - Which statement disagrees with this?

• Some crimes are too awful for forgiveness

• Forgiveness is letting someone get away with something

• People see forgiveness as a sign of weakness

• Forgiveness helps the victim to move on and gain a sense of control

D) Forgiveness is not always possible - What evidence from Christianity could you use to disagree?

• Adulterous women

• Prodigal son

• Jesus' birth

• Unmerciful servant

• Zacchaeus

D) Forgiveness is not always possible - What evidence from Islam could you use to disagree?

• Prophet Muhammad executed prisoners

• Prophet Muhammad freed and forgave his enemies

• Prophet Muhammad helped a sick old women, who previously swept dirt towards him.

• Prophet Muhammad ignored those in need