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IN THEORY:
Can’t forget to forgive
Michael McCullough, a psychologist at the University of Miami and author of an upcoming book on forgiveness, suggests that human beings may be hard-wired to forgive — that there could be certain brain activity that biologically connects to the ability to forgive, and that ability could be in our DNA. Ultimately, his work suggests that the act of forgiveness may not be totally unselfish, and that it predates organized religion.
What do you think? Is forgiveness something we learn, or could we be built to forgive?
The Bible teaches us that God has made us all in His image. Because of this we are able to think and to feel emotions and to make moral choices. These are part of God’s good intentions for us, along with His desire for our physical well-being. So it wouldn’t surprise me to find that along with the instinct to find food and protect ourselves, God has “hard-wired” our physical bodies with His good intentions for our souls as well.
Extending forgiveness is crucial for our own spiritual self-preservation. Jesus said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions” (Mark 11:25, New American Standard Bible).
Now we all know that what is good for our souls doesn’t always feel good for us in the heat of the moment. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, and once for all time He overcame the debt of our sins through His death on the cross. But we, even having been reconciled through faith in Christ, still must learn to put to death the deeds of the flesh (See Romans 8:13), like unforgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit and in imitation of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
In the book of Exodus, the Bible relates that at various points during their 40-year journey in the desert, the Israelites rebelled against God — and that every time, they were pardoned by Him. Forgiveness is a paramount attribute of divinity. Judaism teaches us that we have a responsibility to emulate this divine characteristic and act with mercy and compassion toward one another.
Since humans are created in the image of God, I believe we’re born with a genetically innate predisposition to be forgiving and kind. However, the inevitable difficulties that make up the trials and tribulations of life can lead us to embrace negative attitudes; many people become jaded over time, and some grow quite bitter.
Therefore, it’s important to educate our young people to be forever cognizant of their inherent goodness. We must be vigilant in steering them — and ourselves — toward the positive, regardless of the challenges life may hold.
As part of our ongoing quest to make the world a better place, we must also remember to show compassion toward ourselves. I often come across angelic individuals who are incredibly kind toward others but are very hard on themselves; they have a harsh inner critic who points out each shortcoming and magnifies every flaw. We need to make a concerted effort to be forgiving, loving and considerate to ourselves. This will make us more contented and hopeful, which in turn will make our families happier, and will ultimately enable us to affect our communities in a more positive way.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
This reminds me of a study published some years ago suggesting that people may be similarly hard-wired to pray. Note the perennial “may be.”
What’s bothersome to me about these kinds of studies is that the authors’ conclusions always seem to jump to evolution; that hard-wiring, DNA and increased brain activity somehow eliminate God from the equation. How does this logically follow? God hard-wires, and God actually knows what all the bits of the DNA puzzle add up to. The very fact that complex information is there in the first place seems more likely to point to a designer rather than just primordial elements and lightning.
God called us to forgive, to pray, to seek him and to find pleasure in doing right (from the very beginning) so what’s the purpose in suggesting that forgiveness “predates organized religion?” This is wholly unprovable, but hardly of any consequence if it were the case. Organized religion is based on agreement regarding spiritual practices that God set forth, Himself predating organized religion.
Now, my own brain gets fired up about a lot of different things, and if I discover warm feelings from dispensing forgiveness, then that is a pleasant and probably intended reaction to what is sometimes a very difficult decision. Mankind is, after all, made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27 New International Version), and God dispenses forgiveness. In fact, to all who believe, it is written “forgive, as the Lord forgave you,” Colossians 3:13 NIV).
It’s in Jesus the Messiah that God’s forgiveness is found, and it’s in Him that our DNA finds its Creator’s ultimate purposes.
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Montrose Community Church
It would not surprise me if we human beings were “hard-wired” to forgive.
After all, it would make a lot of sense in the process of evolution if we, in fact, did have it in our DNA to let bygones be bygones. The song “Auld Lang Syne” has the idea of letting go past ills, and maybe that tendency to forgive comes down to us through genetics.
Whether yes or no, I have always thought that the idea of forgiveness was more for the forgiver than the perceived offender. Jesus was smart and sensible when, in teaching his disciples how to pray (Matthew 6, Revised Standard Version), he urged his listeners to forgive those who had sinned against them (from what we now call the Lord’s Prayer).
I believe Jesus realized that we might not ever see the perceived offender again (in fact, maybe the perceived offender didn’t realize that he offended, sort of like somebody pulling in front of you on the freeway, for example), so it was good for those who were offended against to forgive in order that they not keep replaying the offense in their minds and thus giving themselves the stress that might lead to an ulcer, for example.
So yes, the act of forgiveness may very well be in the best interest of the forgiver, and — if you believe in “karma” — even in the best interest of the universe.
So what’s the problem? No matter how you look at it, the ability to forgive is a good thing, and if my religion simply affirms something that’s already in my DNA, then praise the Lord.
THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
In Islam, forgiveness is a highly valued social virtue. Muslims believe people are born pure and uncorrupted and that forgiveness is one aspect of the natural essence of the human spirit.
The Koran states, “And, set thy face steadfastly towards the one true faith, God has created humanity in a natural state of purity; there is no altering of God’s creation — this is the purpose of the one true faith; but most people know it not ” (chapter 30, verse 30).
Environmental influences, on the other hand, can and will lead us astray from our natural goodness.
So forgiveness, as with other human virtues, must be developed and constantly nurtured to restore the natural purity that God created people with. The hard work of ethical education, ethical living and spiritual development of an individual enables the forgiving behavior to evolve in adult life.
Numerous passages in the Koran extol the virtue of forgiveness. In chapter 7, verse 199, God commands the Prophet Mohammad to “show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant.”
Described as a mercy to mankind in the Koran, the Prophet Mohammad serves as a role model for extraordinary forgiveness toward friend and foe alike.
There is, for example, the story of a woman who would regularly throw trash on the Prophet as he walked down a particular path.
The Prophet never responded in kind to the woman’s abuse. One day, when the woman failed to attack him, he went to her home to inquire about her condition as a gesture of kindness despite her daily abuse.
Forgiveness is a gift of human nature, but for most people, it requires a great deal of spiritual and ethical development to be realized as an everyday behavior.
LEVENT AKBARUT
Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge
Can you imagine a world without forgiveness?
In this fictional place there would be no mistakes or errors, no wrongs to forgive or only blame and condemnation.
Scientologists forgive, not from some genetic trait, but to forward compassion. Those who receive pardon learn there is another chance to remedy or to try again. Remember the relief of the child who was forgiven clumsiness and allowed to clean up the spilled milk?
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “One must act, one must preserve order and decency, but one need not hate or seek vengeance. . . . The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not. And the true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue.”
Each of us has a wonderful, God-given capacity to forgive. It is that merciful tool, which when used enables others to meet greater challenges and grow from earlier mistakes.
I cannot visualize a world without forgiveness. It is part of the fabric of life.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology
What do you think? Is forgiveness something we learn, or could we be built to forgive?
The Bible teaches us that God has made us all in His image. Because of this we are able to think and to feel emotions and to make moral choices. These are part of God’s good intentions for us, along with His desire for our physical well-being. So it wouldn’t surprise me to find that along with the instinct to find food and protect ourselves, God has “hard-wired” our physical bodies with His good intentions for our souls as well.
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Now we all know that what is good for our souls doesn’t always feel good for us in the heat of the moment. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, and once for all time He overcame the debt of our sins through His death on the cross. But we, even having been reconciled through faith in Christ, still must learn to put to death the deeds of the flesh (See Romans 8:13), like unforgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit and in imitation of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
In the book of Exodus, the Bible relates that at various points during their 40-year journey in the desert, the Israelites rebelled against God — and that every time, they were pardoned by Him. Forgiveness is a paramount attribute of divinity. Judaism teaches us that we have a responsibility to emulate this divine characteristic and act with mercy and compassion toward one another.
Since humans are created in the image of God, I believe we’re born with a genetically innate predisposition to be forgiving and kind. However, the inevitable difficulties that make up the trials and tribulations of life can lead us to embrace negative attitudes; many people become jaded over time, and some grow quite bitter.
Therefore, it’s important to educate our young people to be forever cognizant of their inherent goodness. We must be vigilant in steering them — and ourselves — toward the positive, regardless of the challenges life may hold.
As part of our ongoing quest to make the world a better place, we must also remember to show compassion toward ourselves. I often come across angelic individuals who are incredibly kind toward others but are very hard on themselves; they have a harsh inner critic who points out each shortcoming and magnifies every flaw. We need to make a concerted effort to be forgiving, loving and considerate to ourselves. This will make us more contented and hopeful, which in turn will make our families happier, and will ultimately enable us to affect our communities in a more positive way.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
This reminds me of a study published some years ago suggesting that people may be similarly hard-wired to pray. Note the perennial “may be.”
What’s bothersome to me about these kinds of studies is that the authors’ conclusions always seem to jump to evolution; that hard-wiring, DNA and increased brain activity somehow eliminate God from the equation. How does this logically follow? God hard-wires, and God actually knows what all the bits of the DNA puzzle add up to. The very fact that complex information is there in the first place seems more likely to point to a designer rather than just primordial elements and lightning.
God called us to forgive, to pray, to seek him and to find pleasure in doing right (from the very beginning) so what’s the purpose in suggesting that forgiveness “predates organized religion?” This is wholly unprovable, but hardly of any consequence if it were the case. Organized religion is based on agreement regarding spiritual practices that God set forth, Himself predating organized religion.
Now, my own brain gets fired up about a lot of different things, and if I discover warm feelings from dispensing forgiveness, then that is a pleasant and probably intended reaction to what is sometimes a very difficult decision. Mankind is, after all, made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27 New International Version), and God dispenses forgiveness. In fact, to all who believe, it is written “forgive, as the Lord forgave you,” Colossians 3:13 NIV).
It’s in Jesus the Messiah that God’s forgiveness is found, and it’s in Him that our DNA finds its Creator’s ultimate purposes.
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Montrose Community Church
It would not surprise me if we human beings were “hard-wired” to forgive.
After all, it would make a lot of sense in the process of evolution if we, in fact, did have it in our DNA to let bygones be bygones. The song “Auld Lang Syne” has the idea of letting go past ills, and maybe that tendency to forgive comes down to us through genetics.
Whether yes or no, I have always thought that the idea of forgiveness was more for the forgiver than the perceived offender. Jesus was smart and sensible when, in teaching his disciples how to pray (Matthew 6, Revised Standard Version), he urged his listeners to forgive those who had sinned against them (from what we now call the Lord’s Prayer).
I believe Jesus realized that we might not ever see the perceived offender again (in fact, maybe the perceived offender didn’t realize that he offended, sort of like somebody pulling in front of you on the freeway, for example), so it was good for those who were offended against to forgive in order that they not keep replaying the offense in their minds and thus giving themselves the stress that might lead to an ulcer, for example.
So yes, the act of forgiveness may very well be in the best interest of the forgiver, and — if you believe in “karma” — even in the best interest of the universe.
So what’s the problem? No matter how you look at it, the ability to forgive is a good thing, and if my religion simply affirms something that’s already in my DNA, then praise the Lord.
THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
In Islam, forgiveness is a highly valued social virtue. Muslims believe people are born pure and uncorrupted and that forgiveness is one aspect of the natural essence of the human spirit.
The Koran states, “And, set thy face steadfastly towards the one true faith, God has created humanity in a natural state of purity; there is no altering of God’s creation — this is the purpose of the one true faith; but most people know it not ” (chapter 30, verse 30).
Environmental influences, on the other hand, can and will lead us astray from our natural goodness.
So forgiveness, as with other human virtues, must be developed and constantly nurtured to restore the natural purity that God created people with. The hard work of ethical education, ethical living and spiritual development of an individual enables the forgiving behavior to evolve in adult life.
Numerous passages in the Koran extol the virtue of forgiveness. In chapter 7, verse 199, God commands the Prophet Mohammad to “show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant.”
Described as a mercy to mankind in the Koran, the Prophet Mohammad serves as a role model for extraordinary forgiveness toward friend and foe alike.
There is, for example, the story of a woman who would regularly throw trash on the Prophet as he walked down a particular path.
The Prophet never responded in kind to the woman’s abuse. One day, when the woman failed to attack him, he went to her home to inquire about her condition as a gesture of kindness despite her daily abuse.
Forgiveness is a gift of human nature, but for most people, it requires a great deal of spiritual and ethical development to be realized as an everyday behavior.
LEVENT AKBARUT
Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge
Can you imagine a world without forgiveness?
In this fictional place there would be no mistakes or errors, no wrongs to forgive or only blame and condemnation.
Scientologists forgive, not from some genetic trait, but to forward compassion. Those who receive pardon learn there is another chance to remedy or to try again. Remember the relief of the child who was forgiven clumsiness and allowed to clean up the spilled milk?
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “One must act, one must preserve order and decency, but one need not hate or seek vengeance. . . . The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not. And the true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue.”
Each of us has a wonderful, God-given capacity to forgive. It is that merciful tool, which when used enables others to meet greater challenges and grow from earlier mistakes.
I cannot visualize a world without forgiveness. It is part of the fabric of life.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology
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