Friday, February 27, 2015

Forgiveness in All Religions

Forgiveness is an action that is deeply personal to all of us.  Regardless of our religion.  The primary benefit of forgiving is the person who forgives, by letting go of the stress of holding hate and revenge in the mind and body, they are releasing the negative energy and anxiety keeping their life angry so that after, they will be able to live a fuller, happier life.  However, forgiveness can also benefit the person who is being forgiven.  Perhaps shame and regret hold this person down and distraught and unable to move or love or be happy.  If they are forgiven it could relieve stress and a huge weight off of their shoulders so they too can move on to a fuller, happier life.

Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism have festivals or holy days to remind us to forgive.  Judaism has Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement.  This is the day where Jews forgive those who have done them wrong so that they too can be forgiven for their sins.  Islam also teaches forgiveness and says that Allah will reward those that forgive others.  For Eid-al-Adha, the custom is for Muslims to go ask others for their forgiveness and any sins or wrongs that they might have committed against them during the year.  On this day, forgiveness must be granted and friends and family reconciled.  For Hinduism, forgiveness is for oneself.  They, too have a festival to mark a day of forgiveness.  Its called Holi, festival of colors.  Its in the spring and a day to forgive and reconnect with broken relationships.

In Christianity, forgiveness is essential and mandated by God and Jesus.  If we want to be forgiven, then we must forgive others. 

Buddhism has a different take on forgiveness.  Its not something that is mandated by God or Allah.  Its for your own well being.  Hate hinders the mind so one must free the mind by forgiving.

We are all sinners, none of us are perfect and all of us have wronged someone in some way, even if by accident.  So why wouldn't we forgive someone else for their mistakes when we ourselves have made so many mistakes.  I know its difficult and there are things that will take longer to forgive but each day is new day and a step toward forgiveness. 

Forgiveness is so common in religions that I wonder why then is there so much hate and unforgiving between religions... With Omnism there is no need to be unforgiving of another religion because acceptance is forgiveness. 









 

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