Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by

which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude

regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as

vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender

well.[1][2][3] Forgiveness is different from condoning

(failing to see the action as wrong and in need of

forgiveness), excusing (not holding the offender as

responsible for the action), pardoning (granted by a

representative of society, such as a judge), forgetting

(removing awareness of the offense from consciousness),

and reconciliation (restoration of a relationship).[1]





In certain contexts, forgiveness is a legal term for

absolving or giving up all claims on account of debt, loan,

obligation or other claims.[4][5]



As a psychological concept and virtue, the benefits of

forgiveness have been explored in religious thought, the

social sciences and medicine. Forgiveness may be

considered simply in terms of the person who forgives[6]

including forgiving themselves, in terms of the person

forgiven or in terms of the relationship between the

forgiver and the person forgiven. In most contexts,

forgiveness is granted without any expectation of

restorative justice, and without any response on the part

of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person

who is incommunicado or dead). In practical terms, it may

be necessary for the offender to offer some form of

acknowledgment, an apology, or even just ask for

forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe

himself able to forgive.[1]



Most world religions include teachings on the nature of

forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an

underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions

and practices of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or

philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for

humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their

own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the

need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another,

yet others make little or no distinction between human and


divine forgiveness.