Forgiveness in Practice

Edited by Stephen Hance

This thought-provoking book looks at the concept of forgiveness from theological and secular perspectives. Bringing together contributors from a wide variety of professions and backgrounds, it considers the practical value of forgiveness and its relevance to our professional, personal and political lives. The book begins by looking at how different faith and cultural traditions understand forgiveness and goes on to contemplate how these perspectives might inform professional practice and political engagement. Practitioners from a range of disciplines explain how they make sense of forgiveness in the real world and reflect on its practical role in restorative justice, family life, rebuilding communities and much more. The book concludes by identifying the recurring principles and ideas that can be used to deepen and expand your own practice.

Discussing the value of forgiveness and its real life applications, this book gives insight into religious and secular perspectives on forgiveness and reveals what it looks like in practice through contributions from professionals in social work, restorative justice, end of life care, conflict resolution, clergy and more.

Introduction. Stephen Hance, Dean of Derby. 1. Reflections on Forgiveness: Some Jewish Perspectives. Howard Cooper, Director of Spiritual Development, Finchley Reform Synagogue. 2. Forgiveness and Christianity. Anthony Bash, Honorary Professor, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University. 3. Forgiveness in Islam: From Prophetic Practice to Divine Principle. Reza Shah-Kazemi, Senior Research Associate, Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. 4. Forgiveness in the Buddhist Tradition. Vajragupta, Member of the Triratna Buddhist Community. 5. Out of the Depths: Offenders and Forgiveness. Gwen Adshead, Forensic Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, and Jesse Butler Meadows, Doctor, Hampshire. 6. Uses and Abuses of Self-Forgiveness. Stephen Cherry, Dean of King's College, Cambridge. 7. On Forgiveness and Medical Harm. Deborah Bowman, Professor, Bioethics & Clinical Ethics, St. George's, University of London. 8. Restorative Justice and Forgiveness. Marian Liebmann, Mediation Trainer, Art Therapist and Supervisor. 9. Understanding Revenge: An Invitation to Let Go. Robin Shohet, Psychotherapist and Supervisor. 10. A Pastor Looks at Forgiveness. Stephen Hance, Dean of Derby. 11. The Role of Forgiveness After Interpersonal Abuse. Christiane Sanderson, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, University of Roehampton. 12. Families, Forgiving and Withholding Forgiveness. Honor Rhodes, Director of Strategic Development, Tavistock Relationships. 13. Birth Parents, Adoption, Identity and Forgiveness. Amanda Boorman. 14. Forgiveness and End of Life. Steve Nolan, Chaplain, Princess Alice Hospice, Esher. 15. Face to Face with Endless Mercy (How a Christian Community Forgives). Richard Carter, Associate Vicar for Mission, St Martin-in-the-Fields. 16. Forgiveness, the Individual and the Conflict Society. Graham Spencer, Reader in Social and Political Conflict, University of Portsmouth, and Lord Alderdice, Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, Oxford University. 17. Bearing Witness: How the RESTORE Programme Helps Prisoners Change the Narrative of Their Lives. Marina Cantacuzino, Founder, The Forgiveness Project. 18. Addiction and Forgiveness. Chris Cook, Professor of Spirituality, Theology & Health, Department of Theology & Religion, Durham University, and Wendy Dossett, Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies, University of Chester. Concluding Thoughts. Liz Gulliford, Research Fellow, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, School of Education, University of Birmingham. About the Contributors.