Mr. Matthews,
Speaking as a minister, I would have to be suspect of your knowledge of Christianity and her tenets.
Did Christ instruct us to “turn the other cheek”? Of course He did, as well as give our shirts if our cloaks were taken, and to go the second mile.
All of this can be read in Matthew’s Gospel starting around Chapter 5.
May I now introduce you to the REST of the Bible?
For instance, you will note that Peter has been carrying a sword. When Malchus’ ear was cut off, Jesus healed the wound, but then told Peter to put the sword away. Note, He told Peter to “put it away”, NOT to “drop the sword and never touch it again”. Jesus knew that swords were for protection in that time (ironic as who could have possibly harmed them at the time, which makes the point all the more clear), and was such, a necessity.
Jesus also spoke about caring for one another, especially your family (“If a son asks for a loaf, who would give him a stone?”), and friends.
Finally, in the first 3/4′s of the Bible that we know as the Old Testament, we read of those who were commanded to go and kill an enemy, and did not fulfill the commandments completely. Saul is a wonderful example. He lost his entire kingship over “just saving some stuff”. You may read about it in 1 Kings.
Perhaps you are not comfortable with a God that protects His People? Why would not any parent wish to protect those that are His?
Or perhaps, you are an agnostic/atheist. In which case, having taught many classes dealing with psychology and relationships, I can tell you by both knowledge and experience that just because we are loving and kind to another person, does NOT mean that said person will reciprocate those feelings and attitudes. The Islamic Terrorists attacked because they sought something in their afterlife, and the “honor” it would bring their names. At the heart was avarice and greed – “blessed by Allah himself”.
A strong counterpoint to the tenets of “love thy neighbor”. We, as Christians, are to seek peace whenever possible, but we are also responsible to the welfare of our families, friends, and countrymen, and, if necessary, destroy those threats when all other options have been exhausted. That is not anger or avarice, it is simply being good parents, spouses, and countrymen.
