Posted by Doug Showalter on January 19, 1998 at 19:43:27:
In Reply to: Re: Images of Forgiveness posted by Tom Maze on January 16, 1998 at 01:11:55:
Dear Tom,
You might be interested in these results of my 1997 doctoral thesis. 168 (24.7%) of our parishioners returned a questionnaire on forgiving which I devised.
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Of the 168, a total of 117 (69.6%) made responses to this question:
"AS A CHRISTIAN, WHEN YOU CONSIDER FORGIVENESS, WHAT IMAGES COME TO YOUR MIND?"
In response to this question, the images mentioned most frequently [and the number of times mentioned] were:
Jesus on the Cross [24]
Parable of the Prodigal Son [14]
Another person (usually a family member) known to the respondent [9]
"Turning the other cheek" [5]
The respondent's own forgiveness of another person [3]
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Of the 168, a total of 128 (76.1%) made responses to this question:
"IF YOU HAVE FORGIVEN ANOTHER PERSON, WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE OF FORGIVING ANOTHER FEEL LIKE FOR YOU?"
Some of the responses to this question were:
"I felt sorry for her."
"A great burden was lifted."
"I was weak because it usually happens over and over again. I related myself by the children's book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstien, I am the tree."
"A long, difficult journey of self-reflection and empathy."
"Like dropping a weight or the sun coming through clouds."
"It's a great feeling--'restoration' one day you may need forgiveness yourself."
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Of the 168, a total of 102 (60.7%) made responses to this question:
"IF YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BY A PERSON YOU WRONGED, WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE OF BEING FORGIVEN FEEL LIKE FOR YOU?"
Some of the responses to this question were:
"It was a humbling experience."
"I don't remember being in that position, other than as a child. I've gone out of my way to avoid wronging a person, and being forgiven for it."
"I was a new person"
"A weight was lifted or a door had opened."
"With some people you wonder how sincere the forgiveness. With others, it brings you closer."
"Futile, unless I also can forgive myself (this is case)"
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