Sin and Forgiveness: New Responses in a Changing World

In a world where people no longer talk of sin but of evil, Kay Carmichael explores the dilemmas of crime and forgiveness. She traces the stories of Myra Hindley, Mary Bell, Sarah Payne, James Bulger, and his killers, comparing public responses to such crimes in various Western countries. Carmichael examines art and literature for the light they throw on the evolution of our ideas about sin and forgiveness, and discusses the emergence of structural sins or iniquities in which we may all find ourselves involved. Her analysis leaves her sceptical about contemporary appeals for forgiveness, but hopeful about ideas of restorative justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Western attitudes to crime have traditionally been rooted in concepts of sin, offering the hope of redemption and forgiveness. However, in a world where people no longer talk of sin but of evil, what happens to offenders and society as a whole? If the hope of redemption fades, will revenge take the place of forgiveness? In her thought-provoking book, Kay Carmichael explores these dilemmas. She traces the stories of notorious criminals such as Myra Hindley, Mary Bell, Sarah Payne, and James Bulger, comparing public responses to these crimes across various Western countries. Carmichael also examines art and literature, from Rembrandt to Nathaniel Hawthorne, Samuel Becket, Salvador Dali, and writings inspired by the Holocaust, to shed light on the evolution of our ideas about sin and forgiveness.

Turning to our own day, Carmichael discusses the emergence of structural sins or iniquities, such as poverty, slavery, violence, and war, that we may all be involved in. Her analysis raises skepticism about contemporary appeals for forgiveness but holds out hope for ideas of restorative justice. Through her insightful exploration, Carmichael challenges us to consider the complexities of crime and punishment in a world that has shifted its moral framework.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138715653