Forgiveness and Abuse: Jewish and Christian Reflections

Explore what forgiveness means in the context of sexual and domestic abuse!

Using research, studies, stories, and prayer, Forgiveness and Abuse: Jewish and Christian Reflections focuses on the views and opinions of these two prominent religions as well as shares the wisdom of their traditional teachings. Forgiveness is an essential concept for many survivors of abuse as well as the perpetrators. Some believe that urging victims to simply forgive and forget in the face of such harsh realities may not be practical and could actually endanger the healing process.

Forgiveness and Abuse studies several aspects of the spiritual influence in forgiving and vindicating abusive crimes, including:

• traditional views of forgiveness and repentance using excerpts from Jewish law
• a clinical study examining the relationship between forgiveness and mental health as well as comparing Christian and Jewish responses to a questionnaire regarding forgiveness
• abuse of children and adults by members of the clergy: the roles of the victims, the abuser, and the church
• the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation and whether they are both necessary
• so much more!

Several of the historical practices of Christianity and Judaism regarding abuse, its public acknowledgment, and its forgiveness have been harshly criticized. Forgiveness and Abuse offers you new insight on the spiritual connections between religion, abuse, and forgiveness, and brings you hope as religious leaders unite to better themselves and others. With the events of recent years weighing on society's shoulders, this collection is profoundly significant for clergy, counselors, therapists, and survivors, as well as the perpetrators themselves.