"Absolution" as a word

I wasn't aware that absolution was restricted to religion in the slightest tbh. It means (to me) a personal release from guilt, an exoneration. Forgiveness of oneself. You don't need a god for that.


Imo etc etc and not to denigrate any religion.

For me, it does have strong connotations of the church, but not so strongly that I would object to see it used in another context.

A quick Google found this in Merriam Webster online:

<the jury's verdict of “not guilty” was absolution in the eyes of the law, but the verdict would always be “guilty” in the court of public opinion>

I didn't even know that absolution referenced religion. From what I've seen poking around the web though, the religious related meaning is only one definition of the word.

It's fine to use it without religious context.

It doesn't automatically make me think of the Christian religion, or any religion, but I am not a religious person, so that could be why.

How close is it in meaning to "forgiveness"? Close, but they're different, IMO. To forgive, to me, means "I see your sins and I love you anyway". To absolve carries the connotations that sins are obliterated, washed away. There is nothing to forgive because the transgression no longer exists.

Absolve also sounds more formal. I would expect a government, or business, or church to "absolve" an individual, whereas a close friend or loved one might "forgive".

I thought of religion, but I wouldn't blink at seeing it used in a non-religious sense.

StephanieZie said:

To absolve carries the connotations that sins are obliterated, washed away. There is nothing to forgive because the transgression no longer exists.

Click to expand...

I agree with this. To me, absolution is something that happens after you atone for your transgression.

The person you wronged grants you absolution when they consider you to have worked off your debt. In contrast, they grant you forgiveness when they choose to not pursue the debt anymore.