Posted on 02/23/2007 10:34:32 AM PST by ZGuy
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The night manager of a Christian bookstore foiled an armed robbery by slamming the man's hand in the cash register drawer, then wrestling with him before he fled, police said. "I didn't want to hurt him, but if I would've gotten a hold of him, I would've sent him straight to the Lord," said manager Daniel Stanton, a 58-year-old retired aerospace engineer who served two tours in Vietnam.
Scottsdale police said the incident happened Tuesday night at the Jesus Chapel Discount Bookstore in south Scottsdale. A scruffy-looking man wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and dark pants entered about 8 p.m., and minutes later approached Stanton with his hand in his pocket, saying he had a gun and demanding money, according to a police report.
"I just backed away and said, 'The drawer is open,' Stanton said. "Then, when he showed both of his hands, I just went off on him."
After slamming the man's hand in the register, the pair wrestled on the floor until the man got up and ran outside, jumping into an SUV and speeding away.
Stanton said he and a witness were unable to see a license plate number because the man pulled away in reverse.
The man made a clean getaway, but the bookstore workers don't hold a grudge.
"The workers prayed for him," Stanton said. "We hope he turns his life around."
What ever happened to "Turn the other cheek."?
When you are being persecuted for your faith, you turn the other cheek. When you are being robbed, you need to sell your cloak to buy a sword.
Amen! Praise the Lord and pass the cash register. ; )
The manager had an obligation to the community to stop an armed robber from harming the community.
Lawful citizens aren't required to meekly submit to the wicked.
Wouldn't the criminal world love for everyone to do this? Unscrew your head, it is cross threaded.
Somewhere in south Phoenix there used to be a seedy looking little shop called "In The Name Of Jesus Quality Used Tires." Not sure why I mention that, but it seems appropriate.
WHo says the store owner had to turn his first?
A friend of mine is a full time street evangelist. He holds to the same argument. While preaching, if someone attacks him for preaching the Word, he'll stop and turn the other cheek. However, he also keeps a loaded shotgun and pistol in his home for the ne'er do well who intends to merely rob him.
Let's hope a slip-n-fall attorney doesn't get ahold of the robber. The store manager will get sued for injuring the guy.
Quote of the day?
The workers prayed for the robber to see that he changes his life. That sounds very compassionate to me. As others have said, we all have an obligation to protect ourselves and our community. This shopowner did just that.
"What ever happened to "Turn the other cheek."?"
I have been smit an’ bruisèd, as warned would be the case,
An’ turned my cheek to the smiter exactly as Scripture says;
But following that, I knocked him down an’ led him up to Grace.
Kipling., Mulholland's Contract.
He have should have held it shut while he grabbed a weapon.
With his hand caught in the drawer that would make the bad guy much easier to hit.
the man wasn't robbing his cheek- he was robbing the cash register- last I looked, it doesn't say 'turn the other cash register' - besides, as others have said, that 'rule' doesn't apply to physical violence, it aplies to persecution for the faith- I'm pretty sure the thief wasn't assaulting the man's faith at the time of the robbery- but rest assured, had the man assaulted his faith while robbing him- the owner probably would have humbly turned the other cheek to the insults, and then continued to whoop the man as he tried to rob the owner.
The following link is a signature link and does not relate to this thread http://sacredscoop.com
Great Kipling quote, is that from the poem with the line about teaching them "...not to stab at a blow..."?
And is your tag line from Poul Anderdon or Keith Laumer (two of my long time favorites)? I know I read it somewhere in sf.
Just curious. Middle age and CRS (Can't Remember S***) Syndrome are creeping up on me!
That instruction was not given as a call to refuse to defend your life. It was given as a call to be meek and patient in the face of insults and persecution. Smiting on the cheek isn't a matter of life and death, but a robbery just may be.
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