This last Sunday on Speaking of Faith, the NPR show on ‘religion, ethics, and ideas’–there was a discussion of the Truth and Reconciliation process in South Africa. The full confessions we have heard about were premised on the idea that reconciliation comes in the context of human relationships, where people are honest. So, the state still held the power to prosecute–and to withold prosecution–once the truth was out. Since, I have heard of attempts to create truth and reconcilitation processes in other realms–such as poverty in the US. I wonder if it really is the same idea if there is no state power in play–holding the power of prosecution?
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