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THE QUESTION
Apology and Forgiveness
In light of recent high-profile public apologies by Don Imus, Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Nifong, the Pope and others, what is the relationship of apology (repentance) to forgiveness?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on April 25, 2007 4:46 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Beware the Deadliest Sin
In secular terms it is called "taking responsibility," but I'm at a loss to come up with any recent examples.
Posted by Gustav Niebuhr, on May 1, 2007 9:11 AM
Not Just Words but Deeds
A statement of confession is just a statement, and as such, of doubtful validity.
Posted by Adin Steinsaltz, on April 30, 2007 10:09 AM
The Wisdom of Accepting an Apology
I want to begin by challenging the assumption that there is any equivalence between apology and repentance. That linkage may exist – but it may not. More than a few folks have been known to offer an abject apology motivated...
Posted by Mark S. Sisk, on April 30, 2007 9:53 AM
Apology as Restitution
There was a time when apology was linked to one’s good name.
Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on April 30, 2007 8:05 AM
To Forgive Each Other is Human
Forgiveness comes from the person who has been wronged.
Posted by Julia Neuberger, on April 30, 2007 7:24 AM
Apologies Meaningless Without Repentance
What would provide real benefit to our national well-being is if people could genuinely repent, that is, express sorrow for sin and pledge not to behave that way in the future.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on April 28, 2007 9:08 AM
Truly Sorry? Change Your Ways
Repentance may be the ultimate measure of sincerity, whether the apology is publicly or privately expressed.
Posted by Michael Otterson, on April 28, 2007 8:03 AM
Making Amends More than Lip Service
God may be all forgiving, all merciful, but humans tend to demand the real deal when it comes to forgiveness.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on April 28, 2007 7:28 AM
Repent and Return to God
Apology and forgiveness do not in themselves imply change. Repentance does.
Posted by Marcus Borg, on April 28, 2007 6:44 AM
A Good Forgettery
To accept an apology is not only to say I am willing to forget the past, but to say I trust you not to do this again in the future.
Posted by Wendy Doniger, on April 27, 2007 10:35 AM
Apology Easier Said Than Done
Refual to apologize won't heal unless and until you say what has to be said and do what has to be done.
Posted by William J. Byron, on April 27, 2007 9:11 AM
“Seventy Times Seven”
True repentance involves a confession, sorrow, an attempt to right the wrong and penance.
Posted by Thomas J. Reese, S.J., on April 27, 2007 8:03 AM
"Sorry" Doesn't Get it Done
“Forgive and forget” is recognized by many who have been abused as just continuing the abuse.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on April 27, 2007 7:50 AM
Cheap Apologies and Unearned Forgiveness
Whether we are talking about pure evil or ordinary human fallibility, no one merits forgiveness for simply saying, "I'm sorry."
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on April 26, 2007 8:55 AM
Transforming Celebrity Apologies
The celebrity apology has become a kind of public ritual in the United States. Don Imus, Paul Wolfowitz, Mel Gibson, Naomi Campbell, Ted Haggard, Rush Limbaugh: the list of famous people trying to convince us of their contrition is long...
Posted by Christopher Dickey, on April 26, 2007 7:38 AM
Unforgiving? Talk to Jesus
Taking off from Max Scheler, on whom Pope John Paul II wrote his doctoral dissertation: the "offender" has to ask not "what did I do?" or "what kind of person am I that I could do that?" but "what kind...
Posted by Martin Marty, on April 26, 2007 6:15 AM
Conditions for Forgiveness
When someone commits an act that harms another, the balance of community is disturbed. To restore the balance, a healing process must take place
Posted by Starhawk, on April 25, 2007 6:35 PM
(Really) Repent and Be Forgiven
In our medicated, psychobabble culture, we don't hear much about repentance, but it is the ticket to forgiveness.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on April 25, 2007 8:37 AM
The Art of Non-Apologetic Apology
The ancient act of religious repentance is not the same as the modern art of rhetorical pseudo-apology.
Posted by John Dominic Crossan, on April 25, 2007 7:00 AM
Repentance, Forgiveness Are Complex Matters
The Bible underscores the difficult nature of real repentance and forgiveness.
Posted by Richard Mouw, on April 25, 2007 6:33 AM
Forgiveness Means You Were Wrong
Forgiveness means that it did matter, that it was wrong, and that it won't be held against you.
Posted by Nicholas T. Wright, on April 25, 2007 5:50 AM
Words for the Week-- God's Forgiveness
With the forum discussing what it means to apologize and to ask for forgiveness, I thought it would be timely to look at what the Qur'an and the Prophet have to say about God's response to our repentance....
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on April 23, 2007 1:00 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
Tal Greywolf: Instead of discussing the question directly, I'm going to throw out a theory, one that I think is valid for what is being discussed today.
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Volt Rare: Apology and forgiveness:
Much of what the panelists wrote makes sense.
And in light of current history, any discussion of apology and forgi...
daniel: In the light of recent high-profile public apologies by Don Imus, Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Nifong, the Pope and others, what is the relations...
