Should we,Christians, practice NON-VIOLENCE in its most radical form,as taught by Jesus ?

Answer 1

yes. do not fear those who can kill the body.

Answer 2

Non-violence is a higher form of faith and prayer. Not everyone is disciplined as much as is needed to be non-violent. Not everyone is skilled enough to leave a potentially violent situation. Most of the world is not yet ready for a non-violent world. Without regard for any particular religion or belief, if you look to Monasteries, Convents and other Communities where people follow a discipline of peace and non-violence you will find the most radical form as taught by Jesus. These people have left society in order practice their beliefs. A few have practiced non-violence in society but they more often than not suffer greatly like Nelson Mandella, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and other less know persons. The choice of course is up to the individual.

Answer 3

That's no figurative sword in Luke 22:
"'If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.' The disciples said, 'See, Lord, here are two swords.' 'That is enough,' he replied."
Jesus knew we needed weapons for self-defense.

True, Jesus taught us to love our personal enemies and turn to the other cheek. But nothing in the Sermon on the Mount can be construed as national war policy. For that, we must look to the parables:
"Suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?"
Sound like a pacifist who rules out war?

Apparently the vineyard owner refused to love these enemies:
"The tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."

Would Jesus turn to the other cheek when the Nazis were loading the Jews into boxcars for extermination? Or when Saddam Hussein was filling the mass graves? Not the Lion of Judah.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 4

If Jesus was violent one day when He ran off the people using the temple for a mall. Not doing any real harm to anyone just throwing there stuff off the platform.
If that is violence as opposed to righteous anger and admonition, how can you go outside anymore. The neighborhood kids are worse than that every day.

Answer 5

I'm affraid Jesus was not in favour of Ghandi like complete non violence. We know this because Jesus behaved violently when he physically threw out traders from the temple. Jesus' views on violence are more in line with Krishna's views in the Bhagavad gita (ie: One should stand up to materialistic behaviour taking prominance in a temple of God or against rightious society, where people are supposed to worship against materialism and greed). Briefly..

Violence is condoned when its purpose is to maintain or restore Dharma (righteousness, or the right path). In this sence, taking part in world war 2 in order to prevent Nazi domination of the world would be considered righteous. One should not be afraid of bodily death, and should fight for the rightious cause without fear of being killed. Remember, Ghandi only suceeded in non violent revolt against the British in 1945 because the British had lost interest by then in maintaining India as a British controlled entity. If instead he had been against invaders, they would have killed him. Ghandi's actions were appropriate for that time only.

Answer 6

I am divided on whether or not Christ was non violent. He taught, "Turn the other cheek," and "Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword." However, he also said that he came into the world "not to bring peace but a sword." He also went on a violent rampage in the temple when the money changers defiled it. I think that Christ is generally opposed to violence, but he does not condemn righteous anger and appropriate action.

Answer 7

We should practice it within limits.Jesus said to turn the other cheek. But what do you do when both your cheeks are red? You try to be patient and tolerant of the other person. If that does not work and the person persists, then I would have to ask God to forgive because I would have to kick some ignorant ***. This is not a Christian answer, but I am not perfect. I am working to be a better Christian, but God also said don't be a fool.

Answer 8

Non-Violence..let me think here a min or not! Ever hear of 10 commandments!? How about the one that says, "Thou shall not kill" for starters? Then maybe move onto Honor thy Mother and Father, along with "Thou shall not steal"....!? ect ect. In all actuality they are not hard to follow by an individual, but what does make it hard, is when a large sum of the population of this planet seems to put them on a back shelf!

Answer 9

Jesus was a different teacher! He did not use only words to teach us what he wanted us to know. He taught us by giving the example. So, dear, the answer is yes.
In the book of John, chapter 15:14 we can read Jesus words, "Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you."[e-mail] (BRAZIL)

Answer 10

i didn't know this was what was taught exactly by Jesus. i do know that when he went into the temple and it was being used as a market place, he became extremely angry, called it a dean of thieves and started flipping tables.
non-violence as to not just lashing out on someone for no reason is one thing, but, if it is to defend yourself, your country, your family, ect., that is another story.
check the bible. Just because Jesus said we should turn the other cheek does not mean he wants us to continually get hit in the face. We Do have to forgive though.

Answer 11

I'm a Christian and I love violence, I would kill for my lord. We all like peace. we all must back up our words and beliefs when someone is bringing our beliefs down. I'm not hear to say what a atheist believes is wrong, or what a Muslim believes is wrong, or anyone else for that matter. But I think they need to do the same because what anyone else believes is all in faith also. But no we shouldn't back down if were attacked as Christians and if that means Violence then so be.