[Publius Valerius]

No, but I respect people who sincerely believe that.

In my opinion, what Jesus is saying is not that people can't legitimately defend themselves--I don't think Jesus would say that Christians should just sit by while their enemies massacre them--but what I think he is saying is that (1) you shouldn't hate your enemies. You should pray for them and pray for their salvation. (2) I think that he is saying that the answer to violence isn't always violence--you shouldn't let yourself be provoked by others into un-Christian actions. (3) I also don't think Jesus is saying that we can't have laws to protect society, but I think he says we should make moral judgments about the actions of others--that is for God to decide.

This isn't dogma, of course, but it's just what I think. I don't think Jesus intended to cripple the functions of society and government, only provide a guide for the behavior of Christians.

[Publius Valerius]

we should make moral judgments

Oops! Should read "we shouldn't make moral judgments..."

[jjmcgo]

Thanks for the conversation. You and Antoninus are obviously good, moral, thinking people. Frogjerk made some good points too.

[Antoninus]

I also don't think Jesus is saying that we can't have laws to protect society, but I think he says we should make moral judgments about the actions of others--that is for God to decide.

Really? Then what do you suppose St. Paul was saying here:

"I wrote to you in the letter not to associate with the immoral--not meaning, of course, the immoral of this world, or the covetous, or the greedy, or idolaters; otherwise, you would have to leave the world. But now I write to you not to associate with one who is called a brother, if he is immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or evil-tongued, or a drunkard, or greedy; with such a one not even to take food. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those inside whom you judge? For those outside God will judge. 'Expel the wicked man from your midst.'" 1 Corinthians, 5:9-13.