This paper compares elements from the Christian notion of reconciliation and Gandhi’s notion of satyagraha. Both Gandhi’s work toward liberation and self-rule, moksha and swaraj respectively, and reconciliation, or forgiveness and renewed relationship, work against oppression and injustice and toward bringing about the conflict transformation and the desired state of relationships. Both assume a moral agency of the victim and impose a moral duty on the victim. There are also differences, notably as to the possible use of violence: nonviolent action is the basis of satyagraha, but there is no absolute prohibition of physical force or coercion in reconciliation.
Share this!
Sometimes I doubt that all victims can actually attain moral agency. Aren’t there cases in which the victims are entirely helpless?
Well done Sharon Tan!!. I thoroughly appreciated the concise and accurate definitions. I am struggling to define Satyagraha in terms of theological debate. Is it possible to forgive someone after you are gone?