What is the spiritual or humanistic significance of an apology?

Question

You know, I called someone out today and I apologize for that. Donegal, I am sorry for calling you out in a post. That was wrong of me. You were merely expressing yourself and who am I to make a judgement call on your motivations.

Do you think if there were more sincere apologies in the world we'd all be less stressed?

Naw, I let it get the best of me and I reacted in a negative way. All it did was create more negativity. If I reacted in a more positive way, the negativity would not have spread.

Answer 1

Emp, we ALL have our bad days where it doesn't take much to set us off. That fact that you WERE willing to apologize and make it a sincere one is the measure of YOU as a human. The person recieving that apology also feels that his/her feelings over the offense are valid and that there is sincere intent to make things right by the apology. By graciously accepting the apology, it marks the measure of THAT person, as well. It signifies to others that the person is wiling to acknowledge that the apolgizer made a mistake, regrets it, and is willing to make things right, and therefore is willing to take the high road and offer forgiveness for the offense. It's a win-win situation for BOTH parties.

Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

It takes a real man to apologize.

The spiritual significance is that apologizing opens the door to forgiveness. And I don't need to tell you the spiritual importance of forgiveness.

The humanistic significance is that it makes the person you have wronged feel better.

Again, the lesson we see reinforced here is that we should treat others as we want to be treated.

Answer 3

For the person apologizing:
It allows you to consciously mark an intention to do differently in the future, and is an aid to personal growth.
It may improve your future relations with the person you apologize to from tensions.

For the person being apologized to:
It allows validation of their feeling of having been wronged, and so it is easier to let go of anger over it.
It lets the person know that there is regret, so that they are relieved of having to try and determine what the other person thinks about their improper act in predicting future behavior.

Answer 4

Spiritual, none, because spirituality is nonsense.

Humanistic, honest apologies help salve wounded feelings. However, they need to be honest. I rarely feel the need to apologize because I am honest to begin with; if I misjudge someone or misread something, that's another story, but I offer only my honest opinion to begin with - and though it might not be pleasant, it's nothing to apologize for.

Answer 5

I think you have a good point, if all of us would just respond to one another instead of shrugging, laughling, scratching themselves or literally ignoring you, this world would be so much more friendlier.

As far as apologies go, you sometimes need to just humble yourself and just do it. It really won't kill you if your the 1st one to do so.

Answer 6

two little words with great meaning
yes the world would be much better off if people humbled themself to apologise when needed
too often thought , everyone waits for someone to do it first... then it never gets done xx

Answer 7

i think it would make the world a lot better place...but a lot of ppl refuse to apologize or the person that they apologize to dont accept it...i feel that's why it really dont mean anything!!

Answer 8

If theyre meant from the heart - yes

Answer 9

it requires man to look at himself and eat their pride and submit to what is right.

Answer 10

If we were really sincere we would show it with our actions. (Repent)