Interfaith Conference: A Dialog on Forgiveness

In today's current climate where religion divides people and is the source of turmoil for many, the "Interfaith Conference" brought together various religious leaders to show the great similarities of religions to bring us together, as opposed to the minute details that tear people apart.

    A Dialog on Forgiveness focused on what is perhaps the most difficult thing for us to do, forgive those that have done wrong against us. The panel consisted of Rabbi Michael Weinberg, a Jew; Kathryn Lucatelli, a Baha'i, Pastor Robin David Jones, a Christian; and Pastor Karen Mosby-Avery, a Baptist.

    Forgiveness, according to Rabbi Weinberg, is important because forgiving transgressions makes things right with God. This is the importance of Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of atonement in which they fast and pray. He also explained that there are two types of transgressions: those against people and those against God.

    "Any transgression against a person is a transgression against God," said Rabbi Weinberg "because they're one of God's people."

    Rabbi Weinberg continued by saying that, "you don't get on, you move on," and that you must repent at least two times in order to truly regret your actions. He further said that to truly regret you must be put in the same situation again and choose not to do the same thing, but not out of fear of punishment.

    Lucatelli followed by giving a brief history of the Baha'i's 160 year history and that the Baha'i teachings say, "Forgiveness becomes something we do less for others, and more for ourselves."

    She then brought up the treatment of the Baha'i in Iran. Since its inception in the mid-19 century, they have been persecuted in Iran, and often times murdered. While Lucatelli admitted that forgiving the way they have been treated is difficult, it is necessary.

    Pastor Jones followed by explaining that forgiveness needs to be done by empathizing with others to understand why they have done their actions. He brought up the story of his brother in-law that committed suicide and his immediate feelings of judgment against him. He soon realized though that he must instead not blame him, but understand why he did it.

    Another story he used was one that had just occurred earlier that day when he was on the I-294 and ran over something jagged and blew out his tire and was forced to pull over to the O'Hare Oasis. He was stranded until someone working the tollbooth helped him for free and that kind of kindness is what is needed for forgiveness.

    Following him Pastor Mosby-Avery explained the importance of forgiveness in societal change.

She brought up Martin Luther King Jr. and his view that it is important to love your enemies because forgiveness "is a way of increasing our capacity to love."

    Pastor Mosby-Avery continued by saying that forgiveness isn't just useful on an individual level, but a societal level as well.