Do you think that christians shouldn't do any self defence?

[standardguy]

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

So we should not go to self defence courses or Karate neither.

Yes, you are right

NO, you are not right. These cites of the bible support me:

[DJB72]

If you're going to cite scripture you need to know the context.

Offering the other cheek forced the person striking to slap with an open hand - culturally an absolute "no" in terms of acceptable behaviour. Insisting on carrying a load a second mile placed the Roman legionary who pressed you to carry his kit one mile to formally apologise or face disciplinary action.

I've been a Christian 38 years. If someone decides to physically attack me they'd better be damned sure I can't beat them. If they want to attack my family they need to kill me first.

[lightbulb27]

good question. I think we should have defence, the best is the spirit of God, word of God... for words are like swords.

Backing up all of that, is physical strength, confidence at times... for we are in a fallen world. Protecting children and innocent from others evil desires is necessary at times.

And then we go doing our own evil, but blech... it's a tough world isn't it. If noone tends the garden, weeds soon overtake it all... and we all starve.

[Stegosaur]

I disagree but I’m Orthodox and we had to fight Muslims for like 2000 years. I think you’re actually being a bad Christian if you don’t fight. God gave you life and if you don’t fight you’re just throwing it away. Also this isn’t heaven, this is earth and there are problems down here so that means sometimes fighting, punishing evildoers, etc. Orthodox Church even blesses weapons for soldiers. But if you kill someone you still sinned and have to repent.

[standardguy]

Is this also true in the private area? Can a woman, leaving the church after the orthodox service kick a man in the pain region who slapped her ass without loosing her blessing of the religous service?

[hopegirly]

When you are about to study the Bible, you must ask for guidance through the Holy Spirit.
We cannot just open the Bible and read and interpreted the way we want to, it is necessary to understand in what context it happened, for whom and why it has been said... it is not simple to "understand" the Scriptures.

[adam6402]

Agreed!

[standardguy]

Well, it does not mean that i don't study the bible the right way if i get other results than you

[hopegirly]

Dear, i did not say you are wrong, i am just telling you to seek the information in details by study Bibles to understand better, these Bibles are amazing to help our understanding, some of them have many points of views, I recommend the NKJV or ESV xxx i am sorry if you misunderstood me

[standardguy]

Yes i use NKJB.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

I'm not an expert (not even a Christian for that matter) but I pulled up this verse in a search:

Luke 11:21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe."

It seems impossible to me to protect our loved ones from harm's way if we're to turn the other cheek when they're threatened. I could see an argument to favor pacifism when we actually can merely turn our cheek and prevent further violence that way, but not when we genuinely need to defend our loved ones to prevent further harm to them.

Just in terms of general ethics, no ethical system makes sense to me that doesn't at least encourage us to protect our loved ones from harm.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

No ethical system that immediately dooms itself makes any philosophical sense to me (antinatalism as another example). For example, if a society was constructed based on such ultra-pacifistic views, it would be a society with no police officers to maintain law and order and no soldiers to defend the nation. That society is quickly doomed to collapse as mass murderers and enemies lay rampage to it absent any resistance.

The first litmus test to me of an ethical system to determine if it's truly ethical or not is its ability to survive for generations.

[Drewtate]

Luke 11:21

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe

.

[LiamJHayden]

Context is everything, since Jesus also said to sell your cloak and buy a sword in Luke 22:36. To me the point is that there are circumstances where force is permitted, but we should not meet every affront with force. For example, I am not a small person and have fairly extensive training in Uechi-ryu and BJJ. If a 5'6 140 lb. girl, or guy, slaps or punches me I am not going to response with knock out blow. I probably won't respond at all except to look at the person with contempt. If, on the other hand, a person produces a firearm and begins to threaten to kill people I would have no problem drawing (I also have a CCW) and taking that person down.

[ImHere22]

I don’t care what Christians think and I don’t understand your question, to be honest… are you saying that anyone who identifies as a Christian should never have any help or protection from anyone or anything because some random passage in a book that has been the number one reference tool for countless tragedies, wars, unjust laws, toxic and abusive behaviors, destruction of human life and culture, genocide, etc?

[BoopBoopBeep]

Rom 13:4 for he is a minister of god unto thee for good, but if though do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is a minister of god a revenger to execute wrath unto him that do evil

one of my ex's dads was a southern baptist preacher/reverend/whatever they call it. Kept a SAIGA-12 in the pulpit if anybody broke in wanting shade

[Jersey2]

The second quote was meant to be an act of defiance towards the person that hit your right cheek. Show him your left cheek, with a sneer and fire in your eyes is the way I envision it. But it is meant to be defiance, not submission.

And, the Lord helps those that help themselves. I will defend myself.

[Pohjolan]

Psalm 2;8:

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and for thy possession, the ends of the earth. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Thou shalt dash them in pieces, like a potters vessel. Be wise now therefore, ye kings. Be admonished, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, though his wrath be kindled but a little.

[adam6402]

How about David defeating Goliath? He didn't just defend himself, he went out and deliberately smote him, cut off his head, and took it into Jerusalem.

[adam6402]

As a Christian, I'm not against self-defence, but I'd never take another's life, not even to save my own.

[standardguy]

Yes, but this was war and it was old testament. With the same point of view you could say Deuteronomy 25:11 says that a woman should squeeze the groin from the attacker of her husband and we should shave her bikini zone.

[Anonymous]

These don’t refer to self defense, though. These are in reference to seeking revenge. It’s not saying to let random people rob and attack you. Nobody actually did that in scripture. It is referring to people you know personally (neighbors or family) not to seek revenge, turning the other cheek for your neighbor, not some random person who comes up and slaps you in the face. You’re free to defend your own body from physical harm.

[laraWM]

You should always have the right to save your life

[strateguy632]

christians should do self defense. jesus often spoke in parables.
wrong category @GirlsAskGuys

[rigmarole]

Here you go...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/f4cuEla9mHE

[RebelinSteel]

No wonder the Lions thought Christian’s were as thick as shit.

[OddBeMe]

I would be more concerned about where to find those slaves your allowed to have in the Bible.

[Anonymous]

No self-defense is Justifiably in the Bible if talking isn't an option.

[exitseven]

I believe in an eye for and eye.

[sirderpsalot123]

Everyone should know how to defend themselves.

[Zestyassmf1997]

I have free will.