Forgiveness Versus Pardon

 

Even though our basic human nature shouts out for revenge when we are offended or mistreated, as a principle we are called to forgive others.  There is great wisdom in that philosophy because often times the biggest harm is the one we are doing ourselves.  

 

However, what are we to do when an employee or associate broaches a major trust or commits a termination level offense?  Yes, once again we are called on to forgive that person.  But the term forgiveness should be defined to satisfy the concept of justice that must exist to have our institutions function properly.

 

Forgiveness is a concept of the mind, will and emotions.  To forgive is to not hold a grudge that drags us down into the quagmire of plotting reprisals, bitterness, anger, and depression that accompany a lack of forgiveness.  Forgiving frees your mind and emotions to care about others and be positive.

 

Forgiveness does not mean that the individual or institution does not have to suffer the consequences of their actions.  However, to receive a pardon allows the offender to escape the deserved punishment.  The contrast between the two terms is highly significant.

 

Perhaps a simple illustration will add clarity to the definitions.  If you run a business and hire an accountant to manage your finances, this individual has been placed in a position of trust.  If the accountant is caught defrauding the company of cash, then the proper course of action is termination and some form of repayment or possibly criminal charges.  It is possible to forgive that individual and still have some level of friendship or communication with them.  However, this forgiveness does not mean the accountant gets their old job back.  Nor does it mean they are freed from civil or criminal penalties.

 

The most well-known pardon in recent US history was the pardon of President Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford, the Vice President who inherited the Presidency after Nixon resigned.  Ford spared Nixon the humiliation of public charges and trials.  This allowed Nixon to go into self-exiled isolation and time for the nation to heal its damaged political image.

 

Perhaps that was a wise use of Presidential power given the circumstances.  However, the liberal use of pardons by both governmental authorities and company managers should be avoided.  A failure to police and punish corporate wrongdoers sends the wrong message to others tempted to engage in the same type of conduct.  

 

A failure to provide consequences sets precedence in the workplace that leads to a downward spiral of deceit and blatant cheating in all phases of the business.  Whereas the consistent application and equal enforcement of the rules provides a trust factor in any organization.  This trust factor comes from an understanding that everyone is accountable with no exceptions.  This level of fairness diminishes the temptation to sidestep the rules with compromised activity. 

 

Application: 

 

Are you harboring a bitterness regarding a previous offense?  Is this bitterness affecting your attitude, relationships and productivity?  Clear this malignant form of anger from your system by forgiving that individual or institution and experience the unfettered joy of personal peace.