One of the oldest [more than 2,300 years] set of laws known as the Code of Hammurabi is located on a large 2.3 m of diorite block. This large structure discovered in Khūzestān, Iran [ancient city of Susa, Iran] in 1901 was authored by the sixth King of Babylon, Hammurabi. What made these laws somewhat unique [ and to over simplify this information] is the fact that Hammurabi's Code of laws punished injury with injury.
 |
| Inscribed are 282 law codes, Written in Cuneiform |
Hence, the best known of these laws was the "eye for an eye" and "tooth for a tooth" edict written in 1772 BCE [Before the Common/Current/Christian Era]. However, more than half these laws were written for transactional or purposes of commerce, and to clearly delineate a woman's place in said society, along with many other codes that impacted one's everyday life. These were the laws that governed those who resided in the region of what today is known as modern day Iran, a partial site from where the Cradle of Civilization was located.
In light of so many events that have taken place during the first 6 months of 2013, mankind continues to suffer in one way or another. Are we so different from the ancient Babylonians [a society that did indeed flourish] during Hammurabi's reign
Is there self inflicted suffering in our society today as there was in 1700 EBC, or is it different now? Why or why not?
Is there a need to end suffering? Why or why not?
What is meant by suffering?
Have you endured suffering in your life?
Think about the issues of your own personal sufferings.
Would you be happier if you could let it go?
What would it take for that to happen?
Do you think adults view the world from a different lens of suffering, vindication, and forgiveness than in the manner in which children view these issues? If so, how so?
Who do you think, adults or children are more likely to forgive? Why?
What does it mean to forgive or to be kind?
Below is an excerpt of an upcoming documentary on the issue of kindness, called Good Virus narrated by Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay it Forward.
Is there even a need to forgive?
What could the benefits of forgiveness entail?
Are there individuals, groups, or entire regions of people who do not want to forgive? If so, why might that be the case?
Are there groups of people who need to be forgiven? Who? Why?
How does one forgive?
What physical changes occur when one forgives?
What psychological changes occur when one forgives?
How can you start a school campaign on the need for general and wide spread forgiveness?
How far does this issue go? From a slight levied against you, to a village's genocide in a remote part of the world, is there a need to forgive?
Is there a degree of "hurts" meaning some more severe than others, and thus certain "hurts" deserve more forgiveness than other types?
Why is it so difficult for people in general to forgive?
How long can a human "hate" or "seek revenge" for? A day? A decade? A century? A thousand years?
If someone or if groups of people get "revenge" first, and then forgive, is that authentic forgiveness? Why or why not?
Or is it necessary to punish, in order to ensure peace and the issue of forgiveness does not enter into this theatre of thought? What are your thoughts?
30 Quotes on Forgiveness
There are many, many people who have written about this issue, I have included only three:
Martin Luther King
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era and a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world.
Following in the footsteps of his father, in February 1948, at the age of 19, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. entered the Christian ministry and was ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In 1954, upon completion of graduate studies at Boston University, he accepted a call to serve at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. While there, he was an instrumental leader in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, made famous by the nonviolent resistance and arrest of Rosa Parks. He resigned this position in 1959 to move back to Atlanta to direct the activities of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. From 1960 until his death in 1968, he also served as co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Dr. King was arrested 30 times for his participation in civil rights activities.
While Dr. King preached about justice, empowerment, love and peace, in the final months of his life, his attention was turned to fighting poverty. Sadly, more Americans live in poverty today than during Dr. King's lifetime. Forty-seven million Americans currently fall below the poverty line.
Dr. King was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee and died on April 4, 1968. He had gone to Memphis to help lead sanitation workers in a protest against low wages and intolerable working conditions.
 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sits in a jail cell in the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Ala. on November 3, 1967. (UPI/Corbis-Bettmann) |
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela famously forgave his oppressors. After the end of apartheid, which had fostered racial separation and kept blacks impoverished, Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected President. Some in his political party clamored for revenge against members of the previous regime or perhaps even all privileged white people. Instead, to avoid violence, stabilize and unite the nation, and attract investment in the economy, Mandela appointed a racially integrated cabinet, visited the widow of one of the top apartheid leaders, and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that would clear the air and permit moving forward.
Malala
But Ms. Yousafzai stressed in her speech that it was “not my day” but “the day of every woman, every boy and girl who have raised their voices for their rights.”
“Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured,” she said. “I am just one of them. So here I stand, one girl among many. I speak not for myself but for those without voice.”
She also emphasized that she had no desire for revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. She included the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Mother Teresa as among the leaders who have inspired her.
She said she wanted education for every child, including the “sons and daughters of the Taliban” and terrorists.
“I do not even hate the Talib who shot me,” Ms. Yousafzai said. “Even if there was a gun in my hand and he was in front of me, I would not shoot him.”
She attributed her nonviolence philosophy and ability to forgive from lessons “learned from my father and my mother.”
 |
| Malala Yousafzai at the United Nations, where she presented a speech and urged world leaders to provide free education for all children NYTimes Todd Heisler |
In today's world there are plenty of organizations that attempt to bring this issue to all of mankind, but here is one to think about, World Forgiveness Alliance/International Forgiveness Day
What can you do to bring peace to where you live? And though you may be only 11 or 12, these will be the issues you will inherit someday.
One small step, taken one time, by all of mankind, is a giant leap for our collected consciousness for the betterment of our lives on this pale blue dot we call home.
Be well kids!
The Teach
PS. Who would stand to benefit if you forgave? The answer is: YOU.
