"Turn the Other Cheek"?

"Turn the Other Cheek"?
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I am a great admirer of Jesus, and consider him the number one role-model for this life. And he did say, "When someone strikes you on the cheek, turn the other to him." Jesus was a man of moderation; he avoided dangerous extremes.

He did clearly teach pacifism. The wise do not look for trouble; in fact, she will go to great lengths, go considerably out of her way, to avoid problems and conflicts. So, when physically attacked, you do have the option of simply giving up, or "turning the other cheek." And in many, if not most, situations, that is exactly what the wise would do.

But Jesus meant this statement to be good advice, not a law carved in granite. If I am attacked, I have the option to turn the other cheek when, as Jesus said, I am "struck." But if my wife, or helpless child, is attacked, I also have the right to defend them. For Love (God) tells me not to stand by and do nothing.

For, as intelligent beings, we cannot live mindlessly by setting laws in concrete and thoughtlessly, mindlessly obeying them. God wants us to obey Him/Her (Love), of course, but She/He also wants us to use reason, thinking, and compassion to make our own adult decisions.

Still, we must work to live out of Love for all when possible. Even when defending against an attacker, I must "love" him-- not trying to injure him permanently, or to kill him out of vengeance. Also, if I have even to give my life to defend my wife or helpless child, this could occur, for "No man hath greater Love than he who gives his life for his friends."

The Way of non-resistance or pacifism is the Way of the "spiritual warrior." For our "weapons" are words, ideas, and concepts, and we "do battle" with concepts, not with fists, guns, and knives, for we are the people of peace.

So, to sum it up, we do have the right, and sometimes the obligation, to "turn the other cheek" when we are personally attacked. But this does not apply when our wives, helpless children, friends, or other loved ones are attacked.

Also, there is a very thin line between attack and defense. A very vigorous defense might, indeed, appear to be an "attack." The person of peace is never interested in "attacking" anyone. As we said, this is offensive violence, and has no place in the life of Light. But nature teaches everywhere that we do have the right to self-defense, should we choose to use it. Even your dog or cat has sharp teeth and claws that can be used for defense, and it is natural for any creature, when attacked, to defend itself. We would do so in moderation, being careful not permanently to harm or damage the attacker.

To take Jesus' statement too literally could be very dangerous and foolish. Should a woman just allow herself to be raped? Should she just collapse like a ragdoll, without a hint of resistance? This is extremism, an unbalanced, unhealthy form of pacifism. If Jesus' words were a law from God, to be followed literally, at all times, she would have to do so. Yet how hideous that would be-- a ghastly nightmare. So, my friend, there are definitely times when self-defense is the only reasonable, or loving, response, when strictly defensive violence is necessary.
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