Article October 28, 1991 Issue

"Forgiveness is the strongest weapon"

South Africa engages the hearts—and prayers—of many, both within and outside this beautiful land. In the victories and struggles of the multicultural South African people to live in peace and equity, we find encouragement to overcome our own prejudices, stereotyping, self-interest, resentment.

Recent stunning political and legal changes in South Africa that hardly seemed possible even a few years ago have given new tangibleness to hopes and unstinting prayers for justice. Outbreaks of tragic violence point to the work still ahead.

South Africa is a place where it's not considered simply rhetorical to speak of prayer in the context of things that can truly make a difference. When one hears South Africans calling for prayer for peace, one senses that they expect this prayer to have an effect. Many South African thinkers and writers, including the authors of the following three articles, point to prayer, forgiveness, brotherly love, acts of kindness, spirituality—not political force or economic coercion—as the most revolutionary and powerful forces for social change.

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"Forgiveness is the strongest weapon"

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