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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I just checked the original post and see that OP did specifically invite responses from people without religious faith:

"How important do you think practicing forgiveness is to your faith (or lack thereof for others such as secular humanists)?"[/quote]

OP - ok point taken. Thanks for correcting me.

I was hoping to hear about faith from different religious teachings but you are right that all views were solicited.

In fact, upon reflection if this is an area where atheists and people of faith agree, then perhaps we ought to pay more attention to it. Forgiveness is probably not only important for mental health since none of us are perfect but also for healing our fractious society. It is often not easy and of course we need healthy boundaries as well.

The concept and practice of Forgiveness is certainly central to my faith tradition.

From https://www.archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/catholic-faith/what-did-jesus-teach-about-forgiveness/#:~:text=Jesus%20taught%2C%20“If%20you%20forgive,that%20we%20ought%20to%20forgive.

Jesus often spoke about forgiveness, he forgave those who sinned against others, forgave those who sinned against him, and asked the Church to continue his healing ministry. Jesus taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Mt 6:14). Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22), a number to be taken symbolically, not literally, for the never-ending way that we ought to forgive.

Jesus liked to use parables to illustrate various aspects of forgiveness. During his conversation with Peter, Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Mt 18:23-35). Luke’s gospel has a series of five forgiveness parables:  the barren fig tree (Lk 13:6-9); the bent over woman (Lk 13:10-13); the lost sheep (Lk 15:4-7); the lost coin (Lk15:8-10); and the greatest forgiveness parable of all, the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32).

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32[/quote]

Largest-Ever Study on Forgiveness Shows Decreased Anxiety and Depression
By Templeton Staff
April 20, 2023

April 20, 2023 - A team of international researchers are sharing today a new study that illustrates the power of forgiveness in decreasing anxiety and depression and improving overall well-being. The study represents the largest exploration of forgiveness science to date and is a topic of discussion at “Forgiveness: Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” a conference that continues into the weekend at Harvard University.
“Over the past 20 years, investment and research into the power of forgiveness has accelerated. The resulting science sends a clear message that forgiveness works. It has a significant impact on mental health, physical health, and on our relationships to one another at the interpersonal and even societal levels,” said Andrew Serazin, president of Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF), which funded the research and is co-sponsoring the conference. “At a time when our world feels more polarized and fractured than ever, it is critical that we amplify this research and share the practical, accessible tools that make forgiveness possible for more people.”

https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/blog/REACH-forgiveness-study

Would have loved to have attended this recent conference-
 
Forgiveness: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (April 20-22, 2023)

"To err is human, to forgive, divine”; but what is forgiveness? When can it rightly be sought or offered? Can it be corporate as well as an individual? What role should forgiveness play in law, public policy, or even public health? How can we become more forgiving?

The upcoming conference, “Forgiveness: Interdisciplinary Perspectives” (April 21-22, 2023), co-hosted by Harvard’s Memorial Church and the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science, will take up these important questions by bringing together eminent scholars and practitioners from philosophy, theology, psychology, law, peace studies, and public health[/quote]

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