Understanding Forgiveness

Which of these statements best expresses the definition of forgiveness provided in "Understanding Forgiveness"?

• Forgiveness is two people coming together in mutual respect.

• Forgiveness is when you make a decision to ignore your desire for revenge after someone has wronged you.

• Forgiveness is the acceptance of apologies and compensation from someone who has wronged you.

• Forgiveness is a change in attitude so that you no longer feel ill will toward someone who has wronged you.

According to "Understanding Forgiveness," what is the relationship between forgiveness and justice?

• You can forgive someone only when you feel that you have been given justice.

• Forgiving someone is proof that you have accepted justice in a situation.

• True justice can be achieved only after you have forgiven someone.

• You can pursue justice with or without forgiving someone.

According to "Understanding Forgiveness," what are the main benefits of forgiving others? Choose two options.

• showing faith in humanity

• achieving greater well-being

• soothing dangerous enemies

• establishing better relationships

Which choice best defines reconciliation?

• showing understanding

• acting entirely on your own

• coming together after a disagreement

• compensating others for a wrong you have done

Which of the following people is most likely to make amends?

• someone who regrets hurting a friend

• someone who has lived a blameless life

• someone who wants to learn a new skill

• someone who wants to get back at an enemy

What would be an example of restitution made by a company that cheated customers out of money?

• sending company executives to prison

• repaying the money the customers lost

• promising not to cheat customers again

• trying to prove the company's innocence

According to "Understanding Forgiveness," what role does memory play in the act of forgiving?

• To forgive a wrong, you must consciously decide to forget about it.

•  To forgive a wrong, you must vividly recall every single detail about it.

• To forgive a wrong, you must recall it without feeling angry or wanting to retaliate.

•  To forgive a wrong, you must wait until your complete memory of it fades over time.

Which of these sentences from "Understanding Forgiveness" best supports the answer to the previous question?

• Forgiveness is also a natural resolution of the grief process, which is the necessary acknowledgment of pain and loss.

•  "Forgive and forget" seem to go together.

•  Forgiveness has taken place when you can remember the wrong that was done without feeling resentment or a desire to pursue revenge. 

• Forgiveness does not minimize, justify, or excuse the wrong that was done.

According to "Understanding Forgiveness," what must the person who has wronged you do in order to be forgiven?

• accept punishment

• give compensation

• apologize

• nothing

Which of these sentences from "Understanding Forgiveness" best supports the answer to the previous question?

• Reconciliation requires both parties working together.

•  The person you forgive may be deceased or no longer part of your life.

• You can forgive someone and still take healthy steps to protect yourself, including choosing not to reconcile.

•  It is certainly easier to forgive someone who sincerely apologizes and makes amends.