East v West on Forgiveness

Western culture values independence.
Eastern culture values interdependence. 

Western culture raises up children that become adults who hold to a "I'm great, you're great, we're all great" mindset, and if it turns out that someone is not so great as one would like, well, that is attributed to a flaw in their disposition.   And if that flaw in their disposition caused a harm to another, then even the forgiveness the harmed person is asked to extend serves the independent value set.  In other words, in order to keep being great, it's a therapeutic benefit to self,  to forgive.  More importantly, forgiveness itself remains an individual choice in Western culture.

Eastern culture on the other hand raises up children that become adults who hold to a "we're in a community, and in order for the community to be great, we each must do our part" mindset.  And if it turns out that someone in the community has not quite done their part and this causes harm, well, that is attributed to a break down of some sort in the community.  The situation, circumstances and contributing factors are given consideration, so that when the one harmed is asked to extend forgiveness, this flows out of a interdependent mindset.  In other words, in order to keep harmony in the community and ensure that "we", together continue to move forward, it is a relational benefit to others, to forgive.  Forgiveness itself is not necessarily an individual choice but rather, an expectation that ensures freedom from shame for the one who caused the harm and continued harmony within the group as a whole.   This is likely the reason so many Easterners are non confrontational and seldom point out someone's fault; they value permitting others the opportunity to save face.

I often wonder which forgiveness Jesus was talking about when He told us to forgive? 

I also wonder at the efficacy of Western faith groups who travel into Eastern conflict zones with forgiveness teachings.  Have they considered the interdependency of the Eastern mindset when they appeal for forgiveness?   If they are giving reasons couched in independent thinking, such as "forgive so that you'll be forgiven" that may not be appealing at all, particularly if the Eastern mindset perceives a self serving reciprocity in a passage such as this.  In an interdependent culture where no one else in your interdependent group is forgiven, could there be a propensity not to want forgiveness as well?  

These are the things that had my head spinning today.

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