Understanding the Propensity to Forgive in a Society at War: An Initial Study among the Colombian Population
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Left-wing guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitaries have operated in Colombia throughout recent decades. Some of these groups have signed peace agreements with the Government. However, efforts to achieve a positive peace, involving all the illegal groups, have encountered serious problems when it comes to the question of forgiveness. A significant part of the population is reluctant to forget the crimes of former illegal combatants. This attitude places obstacles in the way of the reintegration of former combatants into civilian society, and complicates the demobilisation of groups that are still fighting. To understand the factors that affect forgiveness among the population, a study was conducted to identify the variables affecting the propensity of civilians to forgive severe offenses committed against them. Interviews were used to identify the overall likelihood of the civilian population to forgive, associated with demographic variables. Factors associated with the offense itself, the social context of the offender, and the injured party that affect the propensity to forgive were also examined. The information that emerged from the sample was used to create a model that helps explain the cognitive process of forgiveness. This has enabled the authors to conceive ways of introducing changes into the educational system that could potentially help people develop more critical views and greater sensitivity concerning issues of forgiveness in society. The research has placed particular emphasis on understanding of issues of forgiveness among young people, given that processes of reconciliation and forgiveness are going to be critical for society at large if it is to be possible to construct a positive model of peace in the country over the next two or three decades.