What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is the act of releasing negative feelings towards someone, whether they are personal or collective. It means that you choose to let go of resentment and painful emotions related to past events, which may be harmful for your mental health and wellbeing. Forgiveness can also involve letting go of bitterness and anger towards others.
Why is it difficult for LGBTQ+ people to forgive?
LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced religious violence often face trauma due to their identity and/or orientation. Religious institutions have played an important role in perpetuating homophobia and transphobia throughout history, creating environments where those identities were seen as abnormal or sinful. This has led to physical, verbal, sexual, and psychological abuse against LGBTQ+ people. When these individuals attempt to seek justice, they may experience additional discrimination from legal systems and social structures, further exacerbating their trauma. This makes it difficult for them to forgive because they feel betrayed by society and its institutions.
How does religion affect forgiveness?
Many religions teach that forgiveness is a key component of faith, but there are different interpretations and contexts within each tradition. In some cases, forgiveness may mean accepting the perpetrator's apology, while in others it could include reconciling with the offender through conversation and reparation. Some communities believe that forgiving is necessary for spiritual growth and healing.
This approach can create unrealistic expectations for victims, making it harder to practice forgiveness authentically.
Many religious groups reject the idea of non-binary gender identities, making it challenging for transgender and non-binary individuals to find support within traditional religious spaces.
What are the benefits of forgiving?
Forgiveness is a personal journey that requires introspection and self-compassion. By letting go of negative emotions, you free yourself from pain and suffering, allowing yourself to move on and focus on positive experiences. It also allows you to have more control over your own wellbeing, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Forgiving promotes empathy towards those who caused harm, which can lead to greater understanding and compassion.
It encourages community building as it helps to break down barriers between people and creates opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.
What does forgiveness mean for LGBTQ+ individuals who have endured religious violence?
Forgiveness means different things to different people; it can be challenging to define. For some people, it is letting go of negative feelings toward someone who has wronged them. Others may see forgiveness as a way to release themselves from anger or hurt and move on with their lives. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting what happened but instead learning to live with it without holding onto resentment. It involves acknowledging that we are all flawed human beings capable of making mistakes.