In Helmick and Petersen’s (2001) collection of articles, Petersen describe the relevance of forgiveness in the political world by describing several actions by national leaders that seem unforgiveable. Noting the massive and world shattering series of events that was the Holocaust, Petersen offers the idea that forgiveness is a requirement in order to continue through life and through those terrible times. However, the fact that forgiveness has been offered and wholly, if not somewhat, accepted does not deem these actions appropriate or the memories of those who were victims to just “poof” into the air of forgetfulness. Forgiveness in politics is simply a way for the world’s leaders to continue functioning together, peacefully. “To imagine forgiveness in light of the Holocaust, for example, requires us in the 21st century to confront the kinds of prejudices and biases that once allowed for – and continue to nurture – hatred towards others, often in God’s name” (Marshall, 2014, p. 495). This example is an extreme one, but the idea of forgiveness being necessary, but also not the means to an end is important. It is merely a step in the resolution process, which consists of hard work and serious retributive actions in order to continue through the process. No number of years will ever take the hurt and pain away from the victims and sufferers of the Holocaust away, but in order to keep the world turning peacefully, Germany must have sent an apology and we must have sent a shred of forgiveness without sacrificing our
In Helmick and Petersen’s (2001) collection of articles, Petersen describe the relevance of forgiveness in the political world by describing several actions by national leaders that seem unforgiveable. Noting the massive and world shattering series of events that was the Holocaust, Petersen offers the idea that forgiveness is a requirement in order to continue through life and through those terrible times. However, the fact that forgiveness has been offered and wholly, if not somewhat, accepted does not deem these actions appropriate or the memories of those who were victims to just “poof” into the air of forgetfulness. Forgiveness in politics is simply a way for the world’s leaders to continue functioning together, peacefully. “To imagine forgiveness in light of the Holocaust, for example, requires us in the 21st century to confront the kinds of prejudices and biases that once allowed for – and continue to nurture – hatred towards others, often in God’s name” (Marshall, 2014, p. 495). This example is an extreme one, but the idea of forgiveness being necessary, but also not the means to an end is important. It is merely a step in the resolution process, which consists of hard work and serious retributive actions in order to continue through the process. No number of years will ever take the hurt and pain away from the victims and sufferers of the Holocaust away, but in order to keep the world turning peacefully, Germany must have sent an apology and we must have sent a shred of forgiveness without sacrificing our