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Article: The burden of moral guilt: its theological and political implications. (Nazism and apartheid)
- Article from:
- Journal of Church and State
- Article date:
- March 22, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 J.M. Dawson Studies in Church and State. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A crime is atoned for; political liability is limited by a peace treaty and thus brought to an end. As far as these two points are concerned, the idea is correct and meaningful. But moral and metaphysical guilt, which are understood only by the individual in his community, are by their very nature not atoned for. They do not cease. Whoever bears them enters upon a process lasting all his life.
Karl Jaspers, Germany 1945.(1)
First we are asked to sacrifice justice. Now, in the name of reconciliation, some ask that we sacrifice truth. The burden of truth will not disappear. We demand to know. This much is not negotiable.
Michael Lapsley, South ...