As I see sectarian violence spiral out of control in Iraq, I think again: can there be any answer to human violence but a total commitment to forgive our enemies, no matter what they have done to us?
2006-07-11 16:26:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheists and agnostics, feel free to answer as well...
2006-07-11 16:29:58 · update #1
Forgiveness is an individual response, not a national policy. Jesus did not suggest that the centurion should stop being a soldier, or that Rome should not collect taxes. I would agree with what you have said, forgive, for there can be no compensation or indemnities, or weregild for such cruel things.
At the same time, we have the right to do all we can to prevent it happening again. We may choose to turn the other cheek, but if we turn far enough away, he may miss the second time. And if he tries to beat us with a stick, there is nothing wrong with taking it from his hand and breaking it or throwing it where he cannot use it against us any longer.
Incidentally, about turning the other cheek-- if someone strikes you on the right cheek (most people being right handed) how are they hitting you...? Backhanded. Not an attack meant to harm, but an insult. So turning the other cheek means waiting to see if they really intend harm. In the case of the enemies of the Western world, I think it is clear that they mean to destroy us if they can.
It is indeed a matter that each person must commit himself to, even while under fire, or returning fire, not to hate but to forgive. The two are not mutually incompatible.
2006-07-11 16:40:34 · answer #1 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately not. There has never been nor ever will be a genuine means of doing away with the sectarian violence. No forgiveness on our part will ever stop the violence they choose to invoke. It is not a dooms day message as much as a reflection of history and the way that it has been and will continue to be until the return of Christ.
2006-07-11 23:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by dph_40 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness??? For what?
In a perfect world maybe "All You Need Is Love" but we are not living in a perfect world.
Nor are we headed towards one.
2006-07-11 23:34:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no end to violence. Because that's is apart of nature.
2006-07-11 23:31:55 · answer #4 · answered by catalyst 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two ways to deal with enemies. Either you must crush them so completely that they will forever fear to confront you again. Or, you must be so magnaminous in victory that they will never desire to confront you again. Pick one.
2006-07-11 23:37:21 · answer #5 · answered by Otis F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOVE...........hmmmm
2006-07-11 23:30:22 · answer #6 · answered by seeker_kat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋