Define The Role Of Forgiveness In Criminal Justice

What is forgiveness? The term, commonly seen as a religious act, has various viewpoints. Its level of importance is deemed subjective as each individual’s opinion varies from one to the other. Mankind’s heavy debate on the subject is visible from multiple platforms such as novels, music, and movies. While one medium may deem it very important, another may see it as an unnecessary action. The standardized definition of forgiveness is “to pardon an offense or an offender” (“Forgive”). However, such a simple definition truly undermines how important and necessary forgiveness is. Forgiveness is an action created by choice. Likewise, choosing to not forgive an offender is also the result of a choice. The actions that result from these choices produce opposite outcomes. While one may lead an individual down a path of peace and prosperity, the other will lead an individual down a path of anger and resentment. While forgiveness may just be a simple action, its importance extends beyond as its action carries unforeseen effects. Forgiveness is important because it maintains personal relationships, conserves the functioning society in which they are conceived, and sustains one’s own health.
Forgiveness plays a large role in personal relationships.
It is common sense that everyone would like a healthy relationship with one another. However, a healthy relationship cannot exist without forgiveness. According to The Holy Bible, every individual born into the world was born a sinner (Psalm 51:5). Thus so, people are bound to mess up and make mistakes. This is where the importance of forgiveness comes in. If the human race is bound to mess up because of original sin, forgiveness is the only thing that allows them to right their wrongs. Without it, all of their relationships are doomed to fail. If one wishes to save a relationship, he must work to forgive his offender. If he is unlikely to forgive, he is likely to have unhealthy relationships -- if a single relationship at
all. In addition to maintaining a stable relationship with his offender, forgiveness also helps an individual to maintain a stable relationship with God. Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (The Holy Bible). An individual must initiate the act of forgiveness if he wishes to be forgiven by God. This message cannot simply be overlooked as it is once again reiterated in Mark 11:25, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (The Holy Bible). Regardless of opinion, Christians must work hard to initiate the act of forgiveness as the Word clearly states. Not doing so puts their personal relationships with God in danger. It is God’s personal desire for His children to have peace. Jesus Christ’s purpose when He came to Earth was to reconcile the human race not only to one another, but to God (Henry, Matthew 6). The blood He split for His children was offered so that they could be forgiven and forgive others themselves in addition to strengthening their relationships with one another and Christ. Aside from personal relationships, forgiveness also plays a large role in a general society. Every society is made up of a group of individuals who are mutually dependent on one another (Tutu 37). It is common sense that each individual is healthier when he is less lonely and communicating well with those in his community (Tutu 37). Thus so, a society of individuals must be able to forgive one another if they wish to function properly and progress as a group.
Examples of the importance of forgiveness in a society can best be shown in the lack thereof. If someone was to experience a terrible wrong, it is likely his natural impulse would be to seek revenge. Without the ability to forgive and let go of hatred, society would be chaotic. An example of the said chaos that ensues can be seen in the history of the world’s society. There are various wars between competing nations whose sole causes were the inability to simply let a situation go. A patriot of such nations may say that entering such kinds of wars is an act of pride on a nation. However, it cannot be ignored that those wars could’ve been avoided had its partaking nations simply forgiven those who wronged them. While wars will likely continue regardless of forgiveness or un-forgiveness, the choice between the two plays a large role in letting them begin in the first place. Choosing the path of peace avoids the chaotic path created by original sin. If forgiveness did not exist, there would be no choice between paths and the world’s society would only be left with chaos.
In addition to maintaining personal relationships and a functional society, forgiveness also works to sustain an individual’s health. Scientific studies show that if an individual chooses to forgive another, he will likely experience a decrease in depression and anger while simultaneously increasing his self-confidence and hope (Tutu 33). Furthermore, studies have also pinpointed the main effects of holding onto one’s anger and choosing to not forgive an offender. Such effects include an increased risk of various heart problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, ulcers, migraines, and backaches (Tutu 34). Along with these physical health effects, choosing to not forgive an offender also leads to negative emotional health effects like anxiety and stress (Tutu 34). Those who choose not to forgive are almost guaranteed to experience the negative emotional effects since their emotions are essentially “tethered to the person who harmed [them]” (Tutu 31). It is in an individual’s best interest to forgive. If he cannot do it for others or God, he must attempt to do it for himself. Doing so will allow him to let go of the resentment and pain he is holding within himself, leading him onto a healthier, more peaceful path. While forgiveness may be essential to maintain personal relationships, maintaining personal relationships is not essential when forgiving. Sometimes, it is wiser for an individual’s health to let go of a personal relationship he shares with someone who constantly hurts him. What is most important for the individual is the closure he gets by forgiving his offender before parting ways. On occasion, this offender might even be himself. Anyone who has ever done anything wrong to another would like to move past his wrong doing. However, he must separate himself and part ways with who he used to be if he wishes to do so. If an individual struggles with forgiving himself for something he did in the past, he must gain closure in what he did. Closure on any matter is very important for an individual’s health as it allows him to move on with his life and progress. The act of forgiving can allow this to occur so that he might part ways with those who’ve done wrong by him in addition to finally forgiving himself and separating himself from who he used to be who wronged others.
Forgiveness is an action that produces necessary outcomes. Without it, the human race would be left with a single chaotic path filled with anger and revenge. The dangers of such a path are unending: personal relationships would be lost, society would fall back on itself, individual well-being would decline, etc. Though it may be a hard action to make, for various reasons, forgiveness is an essential act to make if an individual wishes to avoid such a chaotic path and pursue peace. Choosing to forgive allows an individual to let go of the pain and resentment that binds him in the first place. The choice between forgiveness and resentment is never be easy and may take a while to accomplish. However, no matter how wronged an individual is, it can be concluded that forgiveness is an essential action he must take.