ABSTRACT
This chapter arises from an uneasiness prompted by the often uncritical optimism regarding forgiveness. In the literature, there is a tendency to depict forgiveness as unqualifiedly beneficial: good for physical health, for emotional well-being, for promoting world peace. It is even touted for its benefits to business as a human resource strategy (Kurzynski, 1998). Although individual writers often appreciate the complexities associated with forgiveness, the overarching impression from the literature is glowingly positive.
