Francesca Danioni presented a pilot study aimed at identifying similarities and differences in the meaning and psychological experience of divine forgiveness across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam . The study investigated aspects such as what constitutes sin, whether divine forgiveness is conditional or unconditional, and believers' personal experiences of being forgiven by God. The research included a focus group with theologians from the three religions and an online questionnaire completed by approximately 200 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim participants. Using combining qualitative (thematic and content analysis) and quantitative (descriptive statistics) methods, the study offered a detailed understanding of how divine forgiveness is perceived within these religious communities. 

Main findings 

1. Divine Forgiveness shows both similarities and notable differences across monotheistic religions, with distinctions emerging more clearly in practical aspects (spiritual figures, practices, and rituals) than in theoretical foundations.

2. Mercy is a key aspect of divine forgiveness for both theologians and believers, with love also being important. However, repentance is uniquely emphasized by believers as central to divine forgiveness.

3. Repentance is seen as essential to receive divine forgiveness across all three religions, though perceptions vary. Christians tend to view divine forgiveness as mostly unconditional, Muslims emphasize a commitment to avoid repeating the wrongdoing, and Jews highlight the need for personal improvement.

For preregistration information, see https://osf.io/8tkh2/

Francesca Giorgia Paleari submitted a poster presenting a study focused on developing and validating a new scale for divine forgiveness across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. After a thorough literature review, expert consultations, and interviews with lay believers, a questionnaire was designed to measure individuals' inclination to experience divine forgiveness and the conditions that may promote it. The questionnaire was administered to approximately 1,000 adult believers in Italy, Israel, and Turkey, each predominantly practicing one of these religions. Analysis examined content validity, factor structure, measurement invariance, and internal consistency of the divine forgiveness scale across these religious groups. Findings advanced the assessment of divine forgiveness within the psychology of religion.

Main findings

1. Both differences and similarities across religious groups emerged. For Christians and Muslims, a 4-factor solution was identified, whereas for Jews a 5-factor solution emerged.

2. The Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis also revealed a 22-item version of the Divine Forgiveness scale, which was invariant across the three monotheistic religions considered. This version included 4 dimensions of divine forgiveness: Circumstantial (e.g., “I feel forgiven by God when I feel sincere remorse”), Without change (e.g., “I feel forgiven by God even when I do not do anything to stop sinning”), Merciful (e.g., “God is compassionate to me despite my sins”), and Unmerciful (e.g., “When I sin, I feel abandoned by God”).  

3. The final structure of the scale confirmed the complex and multidimensional nature of divine forgiveness among believers.

For OSF registration information, see https://osf.io/fqk7a 

Francesca Giorgia Paleari submitted a poster presenting a study aimed at analyzing the mediating role of divine forgiveness in the relationship between religiosity and individual and relational outcomes, such as gratitude, prosocial behavior, and interreligious dialogue. Data were collected from 1,250 lay believers across countries where Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are predominant. The study compared similarities and differences in the experience of divine forgiveness across these religions, exploring its potential to foster positive outcomes. Findings were discussed from a cross-cultural perspective, offering insights into the role of divine forgiveness in promoting understanding and dialogue between faiths. 

Main findings

1. We carried out a multigroup moderated mediation model. The results showed that perceiving God as benevolent is positively associated with divine forgiveness across religions, particularly for Christians and Jews, whereas viewing God as ineffable or authoritarian is not significantly related to divine forgiveness. In contrast, avoidant attachment to God is negatively associated with divine forgiveness across groups.

2. The indirect effects revealed that perceiving God as benevolent positively predicts, through the mediation of divine forgiveness, gratitude among Christians and Jews, and prosocialness across all religious groups

3. A relevant role of the centrality of religion emerged. Specifically, divine forgiveness predicts gratitude and prosocialness more strongly among believers for whom religion plays  a more relevant role in their lives.

4. The differences observed among  religious groups indicate that the role of divine forgiveness is not uniform across cultural and religious contexts.

Francesca Vittoria Danioni presented a study investigating whether belonging (or non-belonging) to a religious community was associated with believers’ perception of DF and how it was linked with key variables of individual and social adjustment, such as wellbeing, prosocialness and gratitude. Data were collected from 756 Italian Christian believers aged above 18. Participants completed an online self-report questionnaire including a newly developed and validated scale of DF as well as measures of individual and social adjustment. Results were discussed considering their potential to significantly contribute to the psychology of religion.

Main findings

1. Group belongingness differs based on age and income: people who do not belong to a religious community are older and report lower income than those who belong and participate in the life of their religious communities. 

2. Belonging to and participating in a religious community seems to be a positive factor for believers’ individual and social adjustment. Participation is a relevant factor: people who participate are better off, more grateful, prosocial, and positive, not only compared to those who do not belong to a religious community, but also compared to those who belong but do not participate.

3. Regarding the perception of DF, mere belonging, without participation, also allows for this feeling more than it does for those who do not belong. 

4. Similarly, compassionate/positive/merciful and circumstantial divine forgiveness seem to produce their own positive effects, not only in terms of well-being but also in terms of gratitude and prosocial behavior, simply by belonging to a religious community, even without active participation.

The Research Team has organized an interdisciplinary seminar titled "Forgiveness Between the Human and the Divine: A Path of Hope for a Humanity in Conflict". The seminar aims to be a space for dialogue and exchange among scholars, professionals, members of religious communities, and stakeholders from the wider community who are interested in or work within contexts related to religion and psychology. 

The discussions will focus on topics such as religion, psychology, and the differences and similarities among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on these themes. Particular attention will be given to  divine forgiveness—a central theme in the three monotheistic faiths—in light of the initial findings from the project "Development and Validation of a Self-Report Measure of Divine Forgiveness Across Monotheistic Religions", funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

The seminar will feature contributions from Christian, Jewish and Muslim theologians as well as psychologists from various fields, including religious, social, clinical, general, and developmental psychology.