The Tradition of Forgiveness based on Religion as Culture towards

Human Humanization

Christofora Megawati Tirtawinata

, Frederikus Fios

and Petrus Hepi Witono

Character Building Development Center, Computer Science Department, Scholl of Computer Science, Bina Nusantara

University,Jakarta, Indonesia 11480

Character Building Development Center, Industrial Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Bina Nusantara

University, Jakarta, Indonesia 11480

Keywords: Forgiveness, Religion, Humanization.

Abstract: Humans are creatures of individuals who always live with others. Humans have uniqueness and differences

in many dimensions: tribe, religion, race, social class, age, gender and others. In human relationships there

can be personal conflicts that lead to anger and resentment among humans. For that we need forgiveness

and forgiveness between humans so as to achieve inner peace individually and in social harmony. The habit

of forgiving others is a noble tradition that exists in the teachings of religions in Indonesia. This study aims

to find a tradition of religious-based forgiveness as a culture toward human humanization. The study

focused on literary studies that depict the teachings of the tradition of forgiveness in the teachings of

religions as a collection of values that are meaningful to religious man in running social life both as

individual beings and social beings. The case examples of the application of forgiveness practiced by the

community of Saint Laurenzo Parung Panjang, Bogor, West Java became an exciting best practice of

religious-based forgiving experiences towards human humanization. The research method used qualitative

method. The theoretical framework uses religious teachings relevant to the tradition of forgiveness. This

research is expected to inspire every human being to forgive and forgive others to show human identity as

religious beings and cultured beings in social reality.

1 INTRODUCTION

The question is whether human relationships always

bring a sense of security and bring happiness? Of

course not, because everyone has differences in

many dimensions. As an individual, every human

being has characteristics or characteristics that make

himself different from other individuals. These

differences are called individual differences. These

individual differences include vertical differences

and horizontal differences. Vertical differences are

related todifferences in the physical aspects, such as

shape, height, magnitude, power, and so on.

Horizontal differences are individual differences in

mental aspects, such as emotion, the talent, interest,

temperament, etc.

In Indonesia there are many brutal tribal conflicts

that killed people and brought many material and

non-material losses. For example, the war between

tribes in Yahokimo Regency, Papua in September

2017 (Tumanggor, 2018). Clashes of two groups of

residents in the interior area resulted in 3 houses

burned out and 6 people from both conflicting

groups died. This is all a result of the old grudges

that the community continues to bring there, and the

problem is intertwined. In Yahokimo there is also a

murder victim and is currently propagating into a

war tribe Mugi Village. Beginning of the 2018 new

year of tribal war broke out in Timika, Papua, where

the victim was killed full of arrows in his body.

While many cases of inter-ethnic warfare occurred

in Indonesia, among others: bloody conflict Sampit

Kotawaringin Timur, Central Kalimantan which

became a national tragedy in 2001, according to

Notes, about 500 people died, and thousands of

people lost their homes. Poso riots took place in

December 1998, then continued in April 2000, and

the largest occurred in May to June 2000. Human

Rights Watch noted that both sides have suffered

many casualties in the riots. Although there are some

estimates that account for about 2,000 casualties,

most expect between 500 and 1,000 casualties. The

Tirtawinata, C., Fios, F. and Witono, P.

The Tradition of Forgiveness based on Religion as Culture towards Human Humanization.

DOI: 10.5220/0010006800002917

In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Laws, Arts and Humanities (BINUS-JIC 2018), pages 295-300

ISBN: 978-989-758-515-9

295

government version, issued on December 5, 2001

just before the signing of the Malino Declaration -

detailed to 577 dead, 384 wounded, 7,932 homes

destroyed, and 510 public facilities burned or

damaged (Syadri, 2017). Many losses and casualties

happen because there is revenge.

The examples of the above cases show how

unbearable humans are if letting the sense of

resentment dominate human life. Many losses and

casualties occur because of revenge. So how

important is forgiveness in human relationships to

humanization itself as a civilized creature.This paper

will show the importance of the aspect of

forgiveness made as the tradition and culture of the

nation's children to humanize human self as a

religious and cultured creature. If human beings

become more civilized and cultured then created

harmony, peace, tranquility, and happiness in human

beings both individually and socially in the reality of

society.

2 METHOD

The method used in writing this article that is

qualitative method. The literature analysis is derived

from the relevant reading of the research topic. In

addition, the results of the field analysis and follow-

up of the "forgiving culture" seminar were

conducted by researchers at the Catholic Religious

Education Institute (CREI), St. Laurenso, Parung

Panjang, Bogor, West Java Indonesia.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Traditions and Teachings of Forgiveness according

to Islam

The tradition and teachings of forgiving are

deeply emphasized in the teachings of Islam. In a

hadith narrated by Al-Hakim, Rasulullah SAW said,

"O 'Uqbah, will you tell me the morals of the world's

inhabitants and the noblest of the afterlife?" The

Apostle said, the noble morality is to connect

silahturahmi with the people who decide, given to

people who will not and never give you, forgive

those who have tyrannized and persecuted you.

Forgiveness is difficult but does not forgive more

weight because it will make yourself tortured with

the "virus" inner. Forgiveness is the attitude of

people who like to forgive the mistakes of others

without any hate and resentment in the heart. The

nature of forgiveness is one manifestation of

devotion to Allah SWT. Taqwa brings us to the

noble character of God's human creation. In the

letters of Ali-'Imran (3) verses 133-134, "And hasten

to the forgiveness of your Lord and to the heaven as

wide as the heavens and the earth provided to those

who fear, both in time and in time. And those who

restrain their anger and forgive (mistake), and Allah

loves those who do good" (Tim Penulis CBDC,

2014).

In forgiving Islam is a highly recommended

thing, it is explained in the verse of the Qur'an and

the hadith that when man forgives and forgets the

mistakes of others, Allah will give him the peace of

soul and strength to become a better person.

The Tradition and the Doctrine of Forgiveness in

Catholicism and Protestant Christianity

Forgiving for many people is not an easy matter.

When hurt, disappointed, slandered, and so on,

sometimes humans hard to let go of forgiveness

feels so heavy. But for the Christian to forgive is the

moral imperative that is a must to do. It is repeatedly

asserted in the Bible that God's people must forgive

others."Be kind to one another, loving kindly and

forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven

you" (Ephesians 4:32). If Allah has forgiven his

guilty people, then every Christian must forgive his

neighbour if they make a mistake. Forgiveness

means releasing others from personal judgment, but

it does not mean agreeing on the words or

wrongdoing, meaning that man is not to act as a

judge. It is written "Vengeance is mine, said the

Lord" (Rom. 12:19). In other words, God says: "Do

not judge, neither will you be judged, nor punish,

nor will you be punished, forgive and you will be

forgiven" (Luke 6:37). The same measure will be

applied for people who do it. Giving forgiveness is a

hallmark of the Christian life. Forgiveness plays the

role it should be. Christians will become Christ-like

as long as He lives in the world, the center of love,

and healing for the broken, not remembering human

error, provided that man will forgive the guilty one.

In the Our Father's prayer, Christians pray:

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive the guilty ones".

God is forgiving but God's forgiveness has a

requirement, that man must forgive his fellow who is

guilty of him. Here it is not said "as long as they

apologize to us". So in fact whatever happens, God

wills that God's children should forgive the guilty

without any condition whatsoever. In Mark 11:26 it

is asserted: "But if you do not forgive, your heavenly

Father will not forgive your faults either. So

forgiving people's faults is a necessary condition for

Christians to do. Even the enemy must be loved, as

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in his sermon on the hill, Jesus said, "Love your

enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

(Mat 5:44) Here it is not said whether the enemy

should apologize or regret first, be forgiven or loved.

The meaning of "love" here is something deeper

than forgiving, for forgiveness is already difficult,

much less loving and praying for them. Jesus gave a

perfect example of His teaching and this proved by

surrendering Himself to death. As He hung on the

cross, as His hand stretched between heaven and

earth, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know

not what they do" (Luke 23:34). In his union with

God the Father, Jesus forgave those who had

crucified Him, even though at that time they did not

repent or ask forgiveness of Jesus. Peter who was

one of the disciples said to Jesus: "Lord, how many

times should I forgive my brother if he sins against

me? Jesus said to him, "No, I say unto you, not until

seven times, but unto seventy times seven: what is

the meaning of giving forgiveness seventy times

seven times? (Tim Penulis CBDC, 2014)

The number seven is a perfect number, in which

God blesses the seventh day and makes it a day of

rest / Sabbath. Number 7 is the number of vengeance

as is the case of Cain who killed Abel to God to

avenge the cloth sevenfold, even Lamekh

reciprocated 77 times. In the Old Testament when

people sin against another God will repay him at

least sevenfold but in the new covenant / grace

period, when a sinner is to another we must avenge

him by forgiving 70 times 7 times. The number

seven relates to the calculation of the maximum age

of man, if God gives strength to more than

prescribed, it is as a gift from God. Conclusion:

God's people should always forgive / liberate guilty

people of a lifetime with a sincere heart without

having to be recalled. This is the perfect fruit of

repentance as a follower of Christ where it is

necessary to recompense evil deeds with good

deeds.

The Traditions and Teachings of Forgiveness

according to Hinduism

In the teachings of Hindu religion recognize the

teachings of Tat Twam Asi, a teaching that states

that he is me, I am them, and they are him. Thus all

the living beings in this world are brothers

(Vasudaiva Kuthumbakam). Because all brothers

treat other people just as you would like to be

treated. Any deeds performed by a person of course

will never be separated from the law of Karma Phala

(cause of effect). Indeed, what they say are thoughts,

words, and actions. Whatever is done between the

three then it will be fruitful or fruitful. Thus karma

phala is called the law of cause and effect.

As the Javanese proverb says "Ngunduh Wohing

Pakarti", sopo nandur will ngunduh. That is,

everyone will get a worthy reply for his actions. So,

how should we maintain balance, harmony to fellow

beings.

In the Vedic man is emphasized to berwiweka

that can distinguish good, bad, and become a

forgiving human being. Live in love with each other.

Therefore in the Bhagavadgita XII.13 it mentions

that: "Advesta sava bhutanam, maitrah karuna evaca,

Nirmamo niraham karah, same dukha-sukha ksmi".

Meaning: he who does not hate all beings, befriends,

and loves, is free of selfishness and pride, same in

likes and sorrows and forgiveness (Tim Penulis

CBDC, 2014).

Githa's message requires a love that must be

generated from self and for others. The teachings of

love is one of the teachings contained in the clan

chris ie bhakti marga. And generally this teaching is

done by everyone, because humans know the

teachings of Tat Twam Asi. So, this teaching is the

basis for forgiving each other. The attitude of

forgiveness is a way to shape character, to be wiser

in the face of all kinds of problems. Familiarize

yourself to apologize to anyone, and live in

harmony, peace, peace, and mutual love.

Buddhist Traditions and Teachings of Forgiveness

In Buddhism one of the paramita (perfection)

that must be developed is the fund paramita, namely

generousity. To apologize is the sign or the nature of

the generous person. Without forgiveness, it is not

possible to rescue hatred.

In this world of hatred will never end when

reciprocated with hatred, will end up if replied with

not hate. "Hatred is never extinguished by hatred,

only love can extinguish hatred, this is the eternal

law" (Dhammapada: 3, 4, 5). Sanctification is

nothing but an apology (khamapana). If with actions,

speech, and mind have made a mistake, someone

expressed regret and apologize, with it expected his

mind to be serene. On the contrary, thanks to the

willingness to forgive, it is hoped that the

wrongdoers can be saved and free from suffering,

especially because of the power of a quiet and

peaceful mind, filled with love and compassion.

In the Buddha there is no hatred, he expects so

also towards his people: full of compassion for all

beings, not making mistakes, not getting lost, not

falling into confusion, wise, always alert, attentive.

The Buddha emphasized the importance of the

attitude of forgiveness as follows: "Of three things,

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one can be regarded as a wise man, if" He can see

the flaws. When he sees his shortcomings, he tries to

fix it. And if one acknowledges his shortcomings, he

forgives him accordingly "(Anguttara Nikaya I:

103). Forgiveness is important, because it will free

us from the fires of hatred, by exercising it, thus

naturally enabling the development of positive

values such as patience and love. Maintaining a

hateful mind will only sharpen hatred, while

releasing hatred will enable the onset of love (Tim

Penulis CBDC, 2014).

Confucian Traditions and Teachings by Confucian

Religion

Confucianism emphasizes noble ethics by

maintaining a good relationship between human in

the heavens and human on earth. Adherents are

taught to keep their ancestors in mind as if their

spirits were present in this world. This teaching is

the composition of philosophy and ethics that

teaches how humans behave. The main concern in

his teaching is that every human being needs to try

to improve his morale in life. On the basis of

Faithful Confucian faith, moral and ethical teachings

are derived directly concerning behavior in practical

livelihoods. Confucianism Faith teaches people to

believe that human life is by the word of TIAN and

the word becomes the true character which is the

dignity and human dignity as the creature of God, so

human life must strive to be able to satya enforce the

word by glorifying the granted virtue.

Abolishing virtue does not mean just building

sanctity and brightness for oneself but must practice

in this life. That is what must be continuously

strived to be able to reach the top either. This

concerns how to establish a beautiful and good

relationship to TIAN Lord creator of world, Di or

the earth that is supporting his life as well as to his

fellow human beings and fellow creatures, resulting

in a harmonious relationship within San Cai: Tian Di

Ren or God Almighty Esa, the Universe and man

and all beings.

The Tradition of Forgiveness as Culture Towards

Human Humanization

Humanization means humanizing human beings,

eliminating "material", dependency, violence and

hatred from humans. Make human beings more

humane. Its ethos is a spirit of respect for the values

built by human beings who make people cultured.

Man is not by itself human after his birth (Azam,

2016). Birth became the first stage of human

acquaintance with the world. Although not fully

aware, at least humans have a recognition of his

existence in social relationships with others. The

existence of man is known and acknowledged by

other human beings since his birth. But birth alone is

not enough to make it humane, there are other

aspects that are important to make humans as a

human figure that is the aspect of education.

Education begins at the time humans are born,

there is even another assumption worth considering

that education begins since someone in the mother's

womb. Regardless of the time difference, these two

assumptions show that education is an integral part

of man throughout the ages (Asep, 2016). In the

most basic sense, education is defined as the process

of humanizing human beings, in the sense that

humans are seated as living beings with all the

uniqueness and do not reduce it to objects that do

not have self. In other words, education is a process

for shaping the human subject to develop into a

cultured human being in life (Driyarkara, 2006).

Education is the process of humanizing human

beings, which aims to form a humanity character

who has principles, values and sense of humanity

inherent in him. Humans have a mind that can bring

that sense or humanity. It is this humanity that

encourages good manners in the social order.

Humanizing human also means human behaviour

for appreciating and honour other human dignity.

Humans do not oppress others, not rebuke, not rude,

not hurt, and do not behave negatively. Humanizing

humanity also means humanizing among humans,

humanizing human beings benefit themselves and

others. To self-show self-esteem and noble value as

a human person, for others will give the trust,

respect, peace, and peace of life. On the contrary, the

inhumane attitude towards other human beings will

only degrade his self-esteem and dignity as a real

human being in the eyes of God. Humanization of

Indonesian citizens in accordance with the ideology

of the nation that is to have the quality of Pancasila

character, meaning that the quality (educated)

quality for all citizens is whether he understands and

practices the values of Pancasila in his life or not.

Indonesian people are expected to show the value of

Pancasila especially the value of humanity in his

life.

Man is the highest creature of God who has a

personality not possessed by other beings. With his

person, cultured man builds relationships with

others. The relationship will not achieve ideal

culmination without education. Education is a

process of double change: first, a change in the

human self-called existence. Secondly in education,

the process of self-change must coalesce with the

changing societies and cultures in which it exists.

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Humans are humanized by fellow human beings

other than through education, as well as through

their relationships with fellow human beings. In

relationships with others, there is almost always a

collision of perceptions, understandings, interests,

tastes, desires and others that make relations with

others uncomfortable. But this is a natural thing

from birth to death. Human life will often be

coloured by mutual harm or hurt.

Relationships between humans especially hurt

and hurt are human humanization processes as long

as they are followed by forgiveness or forgiveness

based on religious values. This needs to be a culture,

so as to create peaceful and peaceful community life,

avoid the prolonged conflict that causes unrest and

chaos in social life.

According to Indonesian Dictionary, culture is a

thought, custom or reason. Grammatically, the

meaning of culture is derived from the word culture

in which it tends to refer to the human way of

thinking. According to E.B. Taylor, culture is a

complex whole that includes beliefs, morals, art,

customs, laws, abilities and other habits that are

often studied by humans as part of society. Linton

argues, culture is the whole of attitudes and patterns

of behaviour and knowledge that is a habit that is

inherited and owned by a member of a particular

society.

From the above meanings the habit of forgiving

with the consciousness needs to be built and made a

habit of every society so that the overall attitude,

behaviour patterns, and habits inherited and owned

by all the people of Indonesia. It is also one of the

first principles of Pancasila, the Supreme Godhead

in which all religions in Indonesia teach their people

to forgive one another. The forgiving culture that

needs to be built is as follows:

 Every individual needs to take action to

relieve one of the charges for having made

a mistake.

 Throw away people's faults and free the

guilty from the demand of retaliation

 Recognizing that the forgiveness of God

does not reach man when man does not

open his heart to receive it, everyone must

repent

 Forgiveness does not mean erasing his

faults, but rather not holding a grudge in the

heart, and freeing one from the pressure of

regret and giving him the opportunity to

change.

 Apologizing is still not enough. The

willingness to change, fix or not repeat the

same mistake is the most important.

 Not neglect responsibility, paying his

penalty based on punishment.

Section 1.01 Practice Forgiving in the Community

of Saint Lorenzo Parung Panjang, Bogor

On December 12, 2017 about 200 Saint Lorenzo

community of Parung Panjang, West Java attended

the seminar and practiced the culture of forgiveness.

Implanted in deep reflection, they are recognizing

the importance of forgiving not only those who are

guilty but especially to the offended subject. The

Saint Lorenzo Parung Parung community is

conscious to forgive others who are guilty of them.

The Saint Lorenzo of Parung Panjang

community recognizes the adverse effects of

difficult to forgive, among others: Emotions become

unstable, being self-confident because of continuous

self-blame, the way of thinking becomes directed,

prolonged stress, Experiencing mental and health

disorders. Saint Laurent's Catholics are also aware of

some advantages when giving forgiveness such as:

The miracle happens that is healing mental attitude

that affect physical health, Enemies become friends,

Reconciliation to unite to build a better life, Internal

and external peace, bringing heaven, peace in one's

heart and peace on earth.

Given the pernicious consequences and rewards

of forgiveness, 200 Catholics realize the importance

of forgiveness based on their religious teachings.

They are also seen practicing the forgiveness in the

seminar as well as committing to show it in their

social life. By practicing continuous forgiveness, the

Saint Lorenzo Parung Panjang community will

become a habit, so there will be no more hurt and

resentment among them. In the end if the habit is

understood and practiced in a downward way, then

there is a culture of mutual forgiveness among those

who believe in God. When the culture of mutual

forgiveness occurs, then it signals human

humanization has occurred in the process of life

together.

4 CONCLUSIONS

Conflict between individuals can happen because

every human being has a different personality.

Conflict between tribes and groups also has the

potential to occur due to multicultural reality in

Indonesia. However, prolonged conflict will damage

the joints of private life, between individuals,

groups, groups, and communities with all its

consequences. Therefore, as a cultured nation based

on religious mercenary traditions need to be pursued

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and cultivated, so that Indonesian people will be

more humane. Humans can co-exist with respect to

one another, put the interests of others, live in peace,

away from prolonged and brutal conflicts.

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