Quick Recap of last lesson- Reconciliation

• What does it mean?

• Have you heard / read this word in the media since last Monday?

Reconciliation: ‘the restoration of friendly relations’

Catholics and Protestants across Ireland united in a Palm Sunday call to pray in the face of the common threat they face from COVID-19.

• Denominations from both sides of the religious divide had asked their members to kneel together for prayer at the same time in their separate homes.

• Archbishop Eamon Martin, leader of Ireland's 3.5 million Roman Catholics led mass in an empty St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.

• He said: "When people think of Ireland, they think of divisions and differences, even the scandal of difference within the Christian family.

• "The coronavirus has taught us that borders and barriers and divisions are irrelevant.

• "This virus is everywhere and it's all around us."

• Separated by the restriction on public gatherings, many who would usually attend church services welcomed the opportunity to pray together.

• Jasper Rutherford, one of those behind the initiative, said: "One of the beautiful things that has happened with this call to pray is that there's been a rising up of a collective Christian voice right across the island of Ireland."

Muslim and Jewish paramedics pause to pray together. One of many inspiring moments in the coronavirus crisis.

Jewish paramedic Avraham Mintz faces Jerusalem, his prayer shawl hanging off his shoulders. Muslim paramedic Zoher Abu Jama kneels facing Mecca, his prayer rug unfurled before him.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/26/middleeast/israel-muslim-jew-coronavirus-paramedic-intl/index.html

Starter: How do the pictures link

with today’s session?

CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TO

FORGIVENESS

Learning

Purposes:All: know the

relevant key terms

Most: know

Christian beliefs,

teachings and

attitudes about

forgiveness

Evaluate: whether

forgiveness is a

helpful response

to crime

This topic links to our previous learning on reconciliation as often reconciliation requires forgiveness. Forgiveness is solo, reconcil iation is a joint venture. “It takes one person to forgive , it takes two people to be reunited.” Reconciliation is not private because it must include at least one other person, however, forgiveness is a private and ongoing discipline of mind, heart, and soul.

This topic links to the key word ‘harmony ’ – as forgiveness and reconciliation should lead to harmony. We came across ‘forgiveness’ in our key terms in the Peace & Conflict theme.

This topic links to our previous learning on the causes of crime as forgiveness can be easier when we can understand what has caused someone to commit a crime which will link to our future learning about restorative justice .

This will also link to our future learning of reformation in this theme, and to peacebuilding in the Peace & Conflict Theme, and to prayer in the Christianity component.

LINKS

Twenty -seven years ago, on 22 April 1993, a young, black teenager was waiting for a bus in south-east London with his fr iend. He was studying for his A -Levels and had dreams of becoming an architect.

Those dreams were never realised because, that night, he was stabbed to death in a racist attack by a gang of white youths.

It took almost 20 years for anyone to be jailed for his murder, due to a botched police investigation. The case changed Britain forever by highlighting its problems with racism – not just the attack itself, but also the institutional racism in the police force which delayed justice for the Lawrence family for so long.

His mother, Doreen Lawrence, said, “I would like Stephen to be remembered as a young man who had a future. He was well loved and, had he been given the chance to survive, maybe he would have been the one to bridge the gap between black and white because he didn’t distinguish between black or white. He saw people as people.”

The UK still has problems with knife crime and racism. Stephen’s mother Doreen is now a member of the House of Lords and chancellor of De MonfortUniversity. In this video, she explains how she wants young people to remember her son on Stephen Lawrence Day. Stephen Lawrence Day is held on 22 April to encourage young people to “play an active role in building stronger communities.

IT WAS ‘STEPHEN LAWRENCE DAY’ LAST WEEK

Stephen’s Family

Fought for Justice

Hope

“Stephen has come to represent a wound that

needs healing in our society.”

Mat Bickley, Stephen's cousin

Reference Stephen: The Murder that Changed a Nation (BBC Documentary)

Nelson Mandela gave Doreen

Lawrence Hope.

“I don't forgive them, no. You can only forgive somebody when they have shown

remorse and accepted what they have done – and they haven't."

MOTHER OF STEPHEN LAWRENCE SAYS SHE HOPES

GARY DOBSON AND DAVID NORRIS SUFFER 'AS MANY

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AS I HAVE'

SHOULD STEPHEN LAWRENCE’S MOTHER

FORGIVE HIS KILLERS?

Showing mercy and pardoning someone from what they have done wrong.

Forgiveness is showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have

done wrong.

However, many Christians would argue that forgiveness is not a replacement for

punishment. It is possible to forgive someone who has committed a crime and to

believe justice is done when they receive a long prison sentence.

However the intention should be to reform the murderer so that they do no reoffend

when released.

Letting go of anger towards someone for the wrong they have done.

PLEASE ADD THIS TERM TO YOUR GLOSSARY.

KEY TERM: WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

LP: All: know the relevant key terms

God ALWAYS forgivesChristians believe that God will ALWAYS forgive if you ask

for it. It doesn’t matter what you have done…as long as you

are sorry then God will forgive you.

Do you think there are some things which are unforgiveable?

Moors Murderer Myra Hindley converted

to Christianity while in prison after being

convicted of the torture and murder or 5

children.

Do you think she deserves forgiveness?

Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation.

When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother seven times, Jesus told him that he should forgive seventy-seven times.

Jesus said that if people do not forgive those who have sinned against them, God will not forgive their sins.

CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THEY SHOULD FORGIVE OTHERS FOR

THEIR WRONGDOINGS BECAUSE…

Most: know Christian beliefs, teachings and attitudes about forgiveness

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth,As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into

temptation,But deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

LO: Most: Understand Christian beliefs, teachings and attitudes about forgiveness

Copy the Lord’s prayer into your books

Annotate the prayer by translating it into

modern day language.

Hallowed is a big word that means

"Holy".

Temptation is when the wrong thing if

offered to us but sometimes it might like

seem a good idea. E.G. Eve and the apple

Task 1: Describe in a few sentences, what the

Lord’s Prayer teaches Christians about

forgiveness.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V96rkM5Gpn0

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15

What does this parable teach about God’s nature?

What does this parable teach Christians about unconditional

forgiveness?

PLEASE WATCH THIS CLIP OF JESUS’

PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON (LUKE 15)

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, the absolute humiliation that he was subjected to is unimaginable. He was beaten, and mocked with the crown of thorns and a robe .

After the soldiers put the robe on Christ, they mocked Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.”(Mark 15:18)

They spat on him and struck him on the head. He carried his cross up to Golgotha as far as he could go. He was completely drained. Then nails pierced his hands and feet. The excited crowd screamed , “crucify Him,” and he had to watch his mother, Mary, witness himself being tortured and ridiculed.

After all of this had taken place, Jesus called out to God saying,

“Father, forgive them…”(Luke 23:34).

Christians believe Jesus is the perfect example for all. What was Jesus attitude to forgiveness?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

LO: Most: Understand Christian beliefs, teachings and attitudes about forgiveness

‘A PERSON WHO CAN’T FORGIVE IS NOT A

CHRISTIAN’

Pope Francis has said:

“If you can’t forgive, you are not a Christian. You may be a good man, a good

woman…. but you are not doing what our Lord did. What’s more, if you can’t forgive,

you cannot receive the peace of the Lord. And every day when we pray the ‘Our

Father:’ Forgive us as we have forgiven those…...It’s a condition. We are trying to

‘convince’ God that we’re good, that we’re good by forgiving.”

What do you think of Pope Francis’ view? Do you agree with him, is forgiveness an

essential part of being a Christian?

Task 2: Research Case Studies

• You have already considered whether Stephen Lawrence’s mother should try to forgive her son’s killers. Now you will watch / read a series of stories about serious crimes that have taken place.

• For each forgiveness story give it a heading and write down:

- What the story is about?

- Whether the victim / victim’s family has chosen to forgive? Why/why not?

- If there are any Biblical references note these down.

- Whether you think that forgiveness has helped the victims.

Lessons in Forgiveness

Case 1: Jameel McGee

http://www.christianpost.com/news/innocent-man-says-christian-faith-helped-him-forgive-crooked-cop-who-framed-him-161998/

Case 2: Anthony & Gee Walker

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zkxr87h

Case 3: Jenny & Julie Nicholson

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zdt4wmn

Case 4: Alan & Maureen Greaves

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-25586377/maureen-greaves-i-feel-true-forgiveness-towards-killers

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011000k

Reflection activity

Exactly a year after Alan Greaves’ murder, the congregation at St Saviour’s met at the spot where he was killed to hold a short ceremony of remembrance and a minute’s silence. Maureen asked people to pray for Alan, his family and also for his killers.

• What do you think would have been the impact of holding a short service of remembrance a year later at which people were asked to pray for Alan’s killers?

Task 3: Literacy activity

• Write a letter to any of the victims explaining your reaction to their response of forgiveness.

• In your letter make reference to:

-The crime

-Their response

-The punishments given

-Whether you think the crime should be forgiven.

Task 4: PPQ Practice

• Explain two contrasting beliefs in British society today about forgiveness.

You must refer to the main religious tradition in the UK and at least one other religious tradition. [4 marks]

(This means that you need to discuss at least one Christian view, and either the view point from another religion OR a contrasting Christian view. Please ensure that you develop each view, and start a second paragraph for the contrasting view.)

How does forgiveness impact upon Christians?• Forgiveness and repentance will feature in Christian prayer as

Christians believe that God sets the example regarding forgiveness by offering forgiveness himself to all who ask for it in faith.

• Christians will seek forgiveness and forgive others.

• Action to establish peace and justice should follow the act of forgiveness.

Plenary: How do the pictures link

with the stories in today’s session?Have you

met today’s

Learning

Purposes?All: know the

relevant key terms

Most: know

Christian beliefs,

teachings and

attitudes about

forgiveness

Evaluate: whether

forgiveness is a

helpful response

to crimeWell done on your

hard work today.