tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12478084.post114307281304334052..comments2024-01-17T02:39:06.048-05:00Comments on rude truth: wisdom from TomJJThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14920416765778868736noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12478084.post-1145680566956864052006-04-21T23:36:00.000-05:002006-04-21T23:36:00.000-05:00I think I might have to watch Doctor Who again. T...I think I might have to watch Doctor Who again. The last time I saw an episode I was four years old and it scared me.<BR/><BR/>That said, I think this link to imagination is crucial, with its implied action. For many Quakers, as well as for King and Ghandi, those icons of nonviolence, pacifism is <I>not</I> passivity, but rather is about choosing strategic, morally ambiguous, action to alleviate injustices without replicating them. As one of my profs remarked, if you consider the amount of time and money that has historically globally been put into nuclear arms development, and imagine it re-oriented toward non-violence, there's reason to consider that humans are capable of some pretty incredible things through some strategic imagination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12478084.post-1145645957561461942006-04-21T13:59:00.000-05:002006-04-21T13:59:00.000-05:00Lately I've been thinking about the actions of the...Lately I've been thinking about the actions of the Apostle Peter in the garden the night Jesus was betrayed. When Jesus was about to be arrested, his followers yelled, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" Just then, Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of a servant of the high priest. Jesus then cries to his followers, "No more of this!" <BR/><BR/>As you said, it is the innate nature of every human being to beget violence with violence. When you break it down, many times it's out of fear, or anger, that we do this. It's a basic animal instinct.<BR/><BR/>However, Christ has called us to be counter-cultural, counter-instinctive. To lay down our swords, take up his cross and follow him. To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and to love our neighbor as ourself.<BR/><BR/>Odd as it may sound, my husband and I have talked a little bit about how it's for Christ's glory that we are here, not for relieving the pain of each other (although generally they're not mutually exclusive events). We pray that we're never in a situation where we would have to choose whether or not to act violently against someone who is hurting our spouse. But we both know that we'd both be leaning on the Lord during that time, knowing He would guide us in what we are to do.<BR/><BR/>(I also think about the example of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. He was violently killed by the Aucas in Ecuador. So what does his wife do? She returns to these people and brings many of them to Christ!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12478084.post-1145644445557188502006-04-21T13:34:00.000-05:002006-04-21T13:34:00.000-05:00Did Jesus ever strike out at anyone that was attem...Did Jesus ever strike out at anyone that was attempting to do him personal harm? I don't think so. Would he have if someone were trying to attack say, his mother? I guess we'll never know. <BR/><BR/>I personally would want and expect your Dad to protect me if someone were trying to do me harm. However, I view him as a pacifist. Does the one contradict the other? <BR/>While it is true it is no solution to the matter, it does serve in the immediate to protect the weaker party...something the prophets chastised the Jews for not doing.pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02336931188511631239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12478084.post-1145633563521317842006-04-21T10:32:00.000-05:002006-04-21T10:32:00.000-05:00Outstanding. Thank you for this insight.Outstanding. Thank you for this insight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com