Post by Cepha on Jul 2, 2008 19:15:36 GMT -5
Well, that's self defense.
Concerning the 'turn the cheek' , we got that as well , but only when a minor crime is done to you. If someone throws an egg on your house , the best thing to do is forgive that act and NOT to throw an egg at his own house. Forbearance is best.
That's a good policy to have.
But when it surpasses that degree and becomes a lot worse... Imagine you were to be a king of a mighty nation , a nation your forefathers built up with blood , sweat and tears. Then suddenly hostile forces would gather at your borders and threaten to invade your country , kill innocent people , destroy the livelihood of your people , steal your resources , and they would want to take you out so that THEY , evil people , will be in charge and gain strength to continue their plundering. What do you then do? 'Turning the other cheek' would give them green light to do anything to you , your family , your country , and your people. Would God consider self-defense as a sin?
No.
I don't imagine that. I believe that this turning the other cheek is a bit misinterpreted. You see , Jesus (pbuh) came to support the Mosaic Law but was given authority by God to reform its rulings. If some jew threw a stone at another and caused an injury , the victim would have a right to throw the stone at the guilty person: eye for an eye , tooth for a tooth. This was still the case during the time of jesus (pbuh) , but the superior teachings jesus (pbuh) taught was to forgive the guilty person and not to retaliate. We have this in islam.
That is good to know for those who have a poor image of Islam.
