That he meant as a Christian you were to stand there and watch someone commit murder, rape a woman, sodomize a child, beat up an elderly man or woman to steal his/her car? I am a Christian and it seems to me that people think that in order to be a good Christian and believe in the Bible/teachings of Jesus means to stand idly by and not do whatever it takes to stop/intervene in acts of violence. Are we not to defend ourselves against violent acts? Are we not to try and help others in a violent situation? A friend was carjacked yesterday while on the way to visit a hospice pt. at their home. She is a friend and a co-worker. She was pulled from her car at gunpoint, violently pistol whipped, and left on the ground. As a Christian, had I been near by and able to do something to protect her(yes I have a gun, yes I know how to shoot well actually) I would have. Thoughts please..
2006-10-19 00:10:09 · 16 answers · asked by Only hell mama ever raised 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not confused as to what I would have done or would do if I was in a position to intervene on someone's behalf. I have just heard a lot of people say or use this quote from the Bible as an explanation or sometimes an expectation that as a christian one is not to meet violence with violence for any reason. I don't interpret it that way. Was curious to see if others did.
2006-10-19 00:20:52 · update #1
Mavro, I am not really debating the does Jesus exist or does he not theory. As a nurse I can tell you that I understand the "fight or flight" theory. I appreciate the input, but I was asking how other Christians respond to this scriptur and it's meaning. That's not to say that your answer is invalid and I do appreciate the input. As a non-believer, you don't deal with Christian related dos and don'ts ergo it stands to reason that you cannot comment from the group that I am directing my question too. I do respect your right to believe and present whatever you wish though.
2006-10-19 00:27:36 · update #2
Wow, some of these answers are interesting.
I believe that when Jesus instructed us to turn the other cheek when someone hits us he was advocating an entire attitude (of the heart) of selflessness, meekness, humility, etc. It means having the best interest of others and heart and being understanding, kind and gentle (having the "fruit of the Spirit"). Part of loving others is not taking offense (read 1 Cor. 13) and if we act out of the best intentions for others, our first response won't necessarily be to respond with tit for tat (i.e., turning the other cheek). However, sometimes in order to fulfill this attitude, it may be necessary to defend others or to not be an enabler to others' aggressive behavior. It all boils down to the attitude of the response--is it done out of love and meekness or is it done out of spite and malice? One of Christ's biggest points in His teaching was that if we have the right attitudes in our hearts, the right behavior will automatically follow (see the Sermon on the Mount).
2006-10-19 00:28:20 · answer #1 · answered by KDdid 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus never lived and never said anything but besides that fact the question is ethical and requires no 2000 year old cult to answer it. You are under the laws of nature period. You can either think a reaction or feel a reaction. If you act automatically then you are acting on preconditioned emotions. If you are acting spiritually then you will not find yourself in a place where you shouldn't be, so therefore if you are in a position to help you help, it is a calling to be there and help. The psycho and the sociopath can't help because they can’t feel for someone else. If you want to live in a world where you 'might' be rescued or saved then you go out and rescue others in advance so that your soul knows you deserve it. I would save you even if you are a christian. If you are living as a tool for the spirit and you have asked to be a protector in the world then you will find yourself in those ugly situations all the time, so best of luck. Remember never wait for a savior, because that would just end up the world dead waiting.
2006-10-19 00:20:06 · answer #2 · answered by Mavro S 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The same concept exists in all God sent religions and I being muslim will testify that it exists in Islam.
Am not sure if Jesus actually said it or not but lets assume he did, am sure he didnt mean sit around and do nothing when people take away your rights; you as a human being have the basic rights of freedom and self defense. However, when he said it, he merely meant that defending yourself is your right, but it wud be better for you spiritually, to answer evil with goodness so those that hurt you can see that theyve been wrong.
The Prophet Muhammad used to do the same thing.
There were numerous occasions when an old jewish lady used to throw garbage on him while he passed infront of her house, but he never said anything ever. Then one day, while he was passing infront of her house again he noticed she wasnt around, he got worried and entered her house to find her lying there sick in bed. When she asked him why he came looking for her he said, you were here everyday, I got worried when I didnt see you today.
Am sure she learned a lesson and never did that again. He was hoping it would teach her somethign and it did. This is a different matter to when the idol worshipping tribes of arabia decided to kill those who believed in one God tho. The prophet did all he could to stop them, and saw no hope but to war them back.
Lessons to be learned from my friend.
2006-10-19 00:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think Jesus was trying to impart the IDEAL response to bad situations. Trying to keep the peace as much as possible, not escalating a violent situation. Ultimately, if everyone did follow His teachings as He hoped, there would be no violent situations to deal with. I believe the Bible is not a literal document, but a guide. I think we as sentient beings are and should be trusted enough to make decisions in one of the millions of situations we could find ourselves in. Jesus couldn't tell us what to do in every situation, but He could and did tell us what to ideally do.
2006-10-19 00:15:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is exactly why Jesus said " The time must be shortened or no flesh would be saved" Vengeance is mine says the Lord.I think
the punishment Jesus will give being for eternity is much better than a swift bullet.
2006-10-19 00:23:07 · answer #5 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Each to their own I suppose. The bible says a lot of things and a lot of those things (I believe) are often misinterpreted. It also says that you should do unto others etc so you would have been right if you expect that a person would do the same for you in that situation. I think that you have to use your best judgement in life and if it feels wrong then it probably is wrong.
2006-10-19 00:15:04 · answer #6 · answered by sticky 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hello msscarlet... :)
Jesus said ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you..
For Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen..
If you are a Christian, then you believe in God's word, if we ask anything according to His word, and we come unto Him with a righteous heart, He will hear us and answer our prayer..
I would get on my knees in Faith believing that God would hear and intervene..this has happened to me before..God will never leave us nor forsake us..
We are not to be conformed to this world, but be separate..Jesus taught us a different way to live..and that is to Love one another as ourselves.. :)
We are not to repay evil for evil..for Vengence is mine saith the Lord of Hosts..
In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)
2006-10-19 00:22:33 · answer #7 · answered by EyeLovesJesus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Compassion is Jesus's message ... It helps to understand the feeling of others.
I can understand your frustration, your feelings in this situation ...
As a christian you should help people in distress ... Jesus was not inactive ...
but you should avoid violence you should avoid killing people
that's alright to use in last resort
But you should feel sorry if you use it because you failed to find another solution.
Be in peace
2006-10-19 00:21:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christians do not understand this saying. They criticise those that fight because of this ignorance.
The nature of Jesus's message was such that he was not required to fight. However even Christians believe when he returns he will kill the anit-christ, does this make him a violent man?
2006-10-19 00:12:51 · answer #9 · answered by abdulaziiz 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good question. As a Christian I have often struggled with this also. God definalately didnt intend for us to be doormats but nor did he intend for us to be vigilantes. I think we are to forgive and trust Him to bring justice about but in saying that boundaries are also very bibilical.
2006-10-19 00:20:10 · answer #10 · answered by angelvic_83 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋