Humans have been killing each other effectively for quite some time, most of which can be put at the foot of vengeance: WW1, WW2, gangs, Po Pot, mass shootings, Rwanda, terrorism and now cop killing to name just some of it. How many movies do we go see and enjoy that glorify vengeance? While on the other hand how many of us read Moby Dick, which though a whale of a tale is about the horror of vengeance endemic to religion and religious persuasion. Even level headed Starbuck fell to it.
The other day I dinged a car opening my door in a parking lot while putting the kids into car seats. It was a light grey SUV with cream primer, the chip [no dent] down to the grey primer was the size of a two pinheads, invisible from a few feet away. THEY were in the car. The anger was off the map, the tattoos were off the map, the muscles were off the map, it was very hot out and the kids were scared with the woman screaming the F bomb constantly and taking pictures of my license, registration, myself the 4 year old and a one year old in their car seats. I took a picture of the ding and license plate and gave them my name and insurance company and got the hell out of there before they started shooting started. The four year old keep asking me “What’s an a whole Baba?”
The next morning we found my wife’s new car in the driveway keyed down to they raw metal from headlight to tail light.
We did not load our guns, we did not look up where they lived, we did not call the police, we did not turn purple, instead we called the insurance company to find we had $50 deductible and calmly went on with our lives. We are very unusual in that I suppose, not being gun enthusiasts or very religious.
The Old Testament and the Quran can be said to advocate vengeance, or to be politically correct, they make it ambiguous, but there is no doubt at all where Jesus and the New Testament stand on revenge.
In fact growing up Catholic it was all about forgiveness, mercy, Mother Mary, love and the reach around on a few alter boys here and there. In fact I remember Jesus turning the other cheek as the central message, well other than tithing and collection baskets. But that was before American Christianity got hijacked by Southern right-wing EVANGELICAL politics. Here follows a bit of scripture these politicized Evangelicals wouldn’t accept even if they heard it directly from the firmament.
Matthew 5:38-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.Matthew 26:52-54
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.Luke 6:27-36
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.Romans 12:17-21
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.James 1:19-20
This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Oh, and I feel obligated to include this for any Evangelicals who are also Republican:
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus