环球英语 — 494：Forgiveness
Voice 1
Hello. I’m Elizabeth Lickiss .
Voice 2
And I’m Marina Santee. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier of people to understand, no matter where in the world they live. In today’s programme we look at forgiveness.
Voice 3
Kinoshita was a highly skilled fighter. He lived in ancient Japan. Kinoshita won many battles. He was courageous and strong. But he felt troubled. At night, images of the bloody fights filled his mind. He questioned life and death. Finally, he decided to seek help. Kinoshita travelled a long distance. He reached the house of an old religious man. People said that the old man was very wise. Kinoshita walked through the door. He shouted:
‘Tell me wise man: What is the difference between heaven and hell?’
The wise man was quiet for a moment. Then he turned and looked up at Kinoshita. He said, ‘You call yourself a fighter?! Why look at you! You do not look big enough, or strong enough! You cannot be a real fighter!’
‘What?’ cried Kinoshita. And he reached for his sword.
‘Oho’, said the wise man, ‘I see you reach for your sword. I do not think you could cut off a fly’s head with that!’
Kinoshita was so angry! He could not stop himself. He lifted his sword from his side. He was ready to strike the old man’s head off.
‘My son,’ said the wise man, ‘That is the gate to hell.’
Slowly, Kinoshita lowered his sword. The wise man had risked his life to teach him! Kinoshita bowed his head low before the wise man. He asked for forgiveness. And he thanked the old man for his kindness. The wise man said, ‘My son, that is the gate to heaven.’
Voice 1
People have told this invented story in areas of conflict. They use it to teach forgiveness. Some people say heaven and hell represent different states of mind. At first, anger filled Kinoshita’s mind. But the wise man’s words changed Kinoshita. His mind became calm and peaceful. He was able to see his mistake.
Voice 2
But this is just a story. How does someone have a peaceful mind in the real world?
Voice 1
In Christmas 2000, John Paul the Second did something that no Pope had done before. He admitted the church’s mistakes throughout history. He apologised to different people groups. He included the Jewish and Muslim communities. In his life, John Paul also demonstrated personal forgiveness. He forgave the man who shot him.
Voice 2
The shooting was in May, 1981. The sound of a gun silenced the crowds in St Peter’s Square, Rome. Mehmet Ali Agca fired the gun. He had escaped from prison in Turkey. The bullets hit Pope John Paul in the stomach. Two years later John Paul visited Ali Agca in prison. He asked people to pray for Ali Agca. He said, ‘Pray for my brother. I have sincerely forgiven him.’
Voice 1
So, how was John Paul able to forgive like that?
Voice 2
We may think that right acts are easier for the Pope! But it is not only the Pope who is supposed to forgive. All Christians are. But how can they do this? Christians believe that God has forgiven them for their wrong acts. So, they try to follow his example.
The whole message of Christianity centres on forgiveness. It is about God’s forgiveness to people - through Jesus Christ. It was Jesus’ death that paid for people’s wrong acts. His sacrifice made forgiveness for all people possible. So forgiven people can call God, father. This is love in its fullness. It fills people’s hearts and minds. It makes them more able to love and forgive other people - even their enemies.
Voice 2
But is this really possible in extreme cases? Maybe you know the story of Victoria Climbie. Her life was short and tragic. The beautiful little girl was born on the Ivory Coast. She travelled to England for a better education. She stayed with her relation - Marie Therese Kouao. Victoria’s parents trusted Marie. But, Marie Therese Kouao was not the woman they thought she was. She treated the little girl terribly. She tortured her.
Voice 2
Tragically, Victoria died in February 2000. The courts declared their terrible findings. Marie Therese Kouao and her boyfriend were guilty of Victoria’s murder. Doctor Nathaniel Carey examined Victoria’s small body. He found one hundred and twenty eight [128] separate injuries. Many of these were cigarette burns. Doctor Carey said it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen.
Voice 1
Francis and Berthe Climbie are Victoria’s parents. They shared their feelings about forgiveness. Elizabeth reads us their words:
Voice 2
‘When we first heard about Victoria we could not forgive. We are human beings. No human being is perfect. Guilt and hatred tortured us. Marie had promised to take care of our daughter. But she destroyed her. We could not understand this. We had so many hopes for our child. Victoria was everything to us. Even so, from that first day, we began praying. We prayed that one day we would be able to forgive.
You have to learn to forgive to live at ease. It should not matter if the person is unable to ask for forgiveness. It should not matter if they apologise. You cannot base forgiveness on conditions. So we are not waiting for Marie-Therese to ask for our forgiveness. We have forgiven her. She shows no signs of regret. But her boyfriend has. He has asked for our forgiveness. Whatever wrong people do in life there will be a price. But it is not for us to punish. The legal system deals with people who are not fit to live among humans.
We had to forgive other people too. The public investigation showed agencies and individuals that failed our daughter. But what would be the purpose in revenge - harming them to ‘get even?’ It is not good to fill your mind with revenge. It is like killing a child again. First, the child is murdered. Then, thoughts of revenge kill the memory of your child also.
And how does revenge ease the pain? Our greatest desire is that something good should come out of this tragedy. This is why we are opening a school on the Ivory Coast. It will be a centre of excellence. It will provide education for children from all around the world. The school is our way of keeping the name and memory of our child alive.’
Voice 1
Francis and Berthe Climbie found that forgiveness gives freedom. It stops harmful, angry feelings growing inside. Forgiving has enabled them to keep their beautiful memories of Victoria pure and undamaged. This is what she deserves.
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