Implications of Divine Forgiveness for Conciliatory Behavior: Understanding How Feeling Forgiven by God Influences Apologies Via Self-Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Humility

Abstract

We examined how and why divine forgiveness (i.e., perceived forgiveness by God) affects interpersonal apologies. In Study 1 (N = 435), using recalled offenses, we found that higher perceived divine forgiveness was positively associated with self-forgiveness, which in turn was negatively associated with apology behavior, including both self-reported apology likelihood and coded apology behavior in an email written to the victim. In Study 2 (N = 531), using recalled offenses and an experimental design, we replicated our findings from Study 1 whereby divine forgiveness (vs. control) promoted greater self-forgiveness, which in turn was negatively associated with apology behavior. However, we found positive indirect effects of divine forgiveness on apology behavior via the serial mediators of gratitude and humility. Together, these studies offer insight into how divine forgiveness might hinder or encourage transgressors’ constructive responses to conflict.