The Importance Of Forgiveness And The Futility Of Revenge

Forgiveness is important in international politics because it can save thousands of lives. Its opposite, vengefulness, has played a significant part in various wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. These conflicts are examined in this book, showing how forgiveness could have avoided the tremendous ensuing bloodshed. Despite its importance, in the context of international relations, forgiveness as a means of preventing the outbreak of war (as opposed to facilitating reconciliation after conflicts) has largely been neglected as a subject of study. Indeed, it has also been ignored by politicians, as a result of which there are few examples of forgiveness to study compared with those of revenge. This book reflects this reality, but also seeks to change it by raising public awareness of the importance of forgiveness in international affairs and the need to demand that political leaders explore this avenue. The book also provides a succinct, informative guide to the background of today’s international affairs. Each chapter can be read independently and highlights either forgiveness in action or the futility and loss of life caused by vengefulness, demonstrating where and how forgiveness could have made a dramatic difference.

Demands for forgiveness, even in the face of horrific crimes, were common to the late twentieth century and remain critical aspirations for persons and communities in the early twenty-first century. Research on forgiveness and revenge has nevertheless revealed that many people hold divergent moral and pragmatic beliefs about forgiving, and most survivors express longstanding skepticism about when forgiveness is appropriate and when it is not. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to these issues, the current volume considers the complexities of forgiveness and revenge in the modern world. The chapters address some of the most critical inquiries today: How is forgiveness facilitated or obstructed? What is the role of truth, restitution, reparation or retribution? When is forgiveness without restitution appropriate? Is forgiveness in the true sense of the term even possible? Through empirical, theoretical and literary analyses, this volume addresses the power of revenge and forgiveness in human affairs and offers a unique outlook on the benefits of interdisciplinary discussions for enhancing forgiveness and deterring revenge in multiple aspects of human life.

The Elgar Companion to The World Bank provides a comprehensive review of the past 80 years for this powerful development institution. Using different theoretical approaches from an expert group of scholars as well as practitioners, it presents an interdisciplinary exploration of the World Bank and the wider field of International Relations.

Why is revenge such a pervasive and destructive problem? How can we create a future in which revenge is less common and forgiveness is more common? Psychologist Michael McCullough argues that the key to a more forgiving, less vengeful world is to understand the evolutionary forces that gave rise to these intimately human instincts and the social forces that activate them in human minds today. Drawing on exciting breakthroughs from the social and biological sciences, McCullough dispenses surprising and practical advice for making the world a more forgiving place. Michael E. McCullough (Miami, Florida), an internationally recognized expert on forgiveness and revenge, is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he directs the Laboratory for Social and Clinical Psychology.

Don’t let hurt feelings cause undue harm—learn to make use of the healing power of forgiveness! Charting different paths through feelings of betrayal, oppression, and humiliation, this compassionate book will help you understand forgiveness, find it within yourself, and pass this important knowledge to others. The poignant stories in Becoming a Forgiving Person show how anyone can manage feelings of victimization and quench the lust for vengeance. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of being hurt, the inner struggles needed to truly forgive, and methods and skills for practicing forgiveness. Combining religious and psychological insight, Becoming a Forgiving Person examines how forgiveness can enhance feelings of self-esteem, freedom, and intimacy. The personal stories in these pages illuminate the futility of revenge and show why apologies don’t always help. You’ll be inspired by these lessons on how to forgive yourself and other people by tapping into levels of spirituality that are deeper than the grievances you need to forgive. With its fascinating new perspectives on betrayal, revenge, apology, and reconciliation, Becoming a Forgiving Person will show you: how to forgive without waiting for apologies ways to find personal power and increase self-esteem strategies for cultivating networks of supportive people to help you—or anyone—through difficult times tactics for getting on with your life and finding inner peace how and where to find opportunities to practice forgiveness This book also contains an appendix that lists various types of offenses and another that explores how to respond to one of the most hurtful situations imaginable—the accusation of incest—in a way that bypasses denial and power struggles and works toward reconciliation. Becoming a Forgiving Person is a book that can help anyone who needs to learn to forgive—or who endeavors to help others accomplish that daunting task.

Don't let hurt feelings cause undue harm--learn to make use of the healing power of forgiveness! Charting different paths through feelings of betrayal, oppression, and humiliation, this compassionate book will help you understand forgiveness, find it within yourself, and pass this important knowledge to others. The poignant stories in Becoming a Forgiving Person show how anyone can manage feelings of victimization and quench the lust for vengeance. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of being hurt, the inner struggles needed to truly forgive, and methods and skills for practicing forgiveness. Combining religious and psychological insight, Becoming a Forgiving Person examines how forgiveness can enhance feelings of self-esteem, freedom, and intimacy. The personal stories in these pages illuminate the futility of revenge and show why apologies don't always help. You'll be inspired by these lessons on how to forgive yourself and other people by tapping into levels of spirituality that are deeper than the grievances you need to forgive. With its fascinating new perspectives on betrayal, revenge, apology, and reconciliation, Becoming a Forgiving Person will show you: how to forgive without waiting for apologies ways to find personal power and increase self-esteem strategies for cultivating networks of supportive people to help you--or anyone--through difficult times tactics for getting on with your life and finding inner peace how and where to find opportunities to practice forgiveness This book also contains an appendix that lists various types of offenses and another that explores how to respond to one of the most hurtful situations imaginable--the accusation of incest--in a way that bypasses denial and power struggles and works toward reconciliation. Becoming a Forgiving Person is a book that can help anyone who needs to learn to forgive--or who endeavors to help others accomplish that daunting task.

This is a powerful exploration of our attitudes to serious wrong-doings and a careful examination of the values that underlie our thinking about revenge and forgiveness.This text examines the impact of revenge and forgiveness.

Hell hath no fury... We all know how that ends, right? But what if it didn't have to end that way? What if, the logical end to anger, hurt, pain and scorn was forgiveness? How much would that change your relationship with others, with yourself and with your Heavenly Father? But as women, full forgiveness of others is not something we are taught, very rarely shown, and very rarely realize. We are taught to rise above our bitterness, but not to truly deal with it. We are taught to be the better person, but does striving to be better, actually make us bitter? We invite you to come with us on this journey of self-exploration in God as we help you down the path that we stumbled down as we sought to learn the meaning of full forgiveness for the fullness of God. We invite you to join us in celebrating The Best Revenge.

Backstabbers. Slanderers. Unfaithful Spouses. Thieves. Molesters. Terrorists.How do some people manage to truly forgive their arrogant and remorseless offenders? Are we to sit by while our loved ones suffer and expect the violator to go unpunished? Do we struggle to forgive-or vow to bring the offender to justice? Do we see life as unfair and wonder, "Where is God in all of this?" When wronged the saints in Bible days poured out their hearts to God, pleading to Him for retribution and vindication. But how can we pray in the same way, and still forgive as Christ taught? Theologian and author Doug Schmidt brings you into the vortex of this astounding paradox. Be prepared to learn the life-changing keys to forgiving the unrepentant through a new-found confidence in God's willingness to accomplish justice on your behalf. Find out how forgiveness and justice can abide as one in this gripping book!