Source: (2011) The Forgiveness Project Annual Lecture. Thursday, 6 October 2011.
In my remarks this evening, I want to address the question of whether it is right to ask
people to forgive when there is no justice and no prospect of justice. Is anger about
injustice one of the forces that drives historical progress and important social reform? Is
there an important difference between the bitterness,hatred and quest for vengeance that
can be so damaging to those who have been hurt or wronged, and the anger that thirsts
after justice? There is no doubt that a sense of bitterness and hatred can perpetuate theeffects of the wrong that has been done, by destroying the life and spirit of those who have
been wronged; but is there a difference between letting go of the hatred, and extending
forgiveness for a wrong that has not been held to account? (excerpt)
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