Philosopher's Corner

Revenge or Rehabilitation?

by Kelly R Piercy

As a rule, I leave theology to those who are better versed in it than I.

However, this month, I feel it is appropriate to stray from the bounds of secular philosophy. Certainly, great thinkers are not limited to the secular. Master Kong (Kong Qi Fuzi) and Master Jesus (Rabi transliterates to Teacher or Master as well as Fuzi transliterates to Teacher or Master,) have both taught many of the same things in nearly the same words. If one is divine and the other human, it cannot lessen the wisdom of the words.

Jesus teaches forgiveness. The strongest of these teachings takes place when the 'Law and Order' crowd try to trip him up. The exchange is recorded in the Book of Romans:

Romans 12:17-21

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Interestingly, the first place that 'vengeance is Mine, says the Lord" occurs is in the New Testament. However, we must accept that this was an accepted teaching from the Torah. Evidence for this is found throughout the Bible. Notably, when we think of the 'Commandments', we think of the Decalogue. Yet, when asked, Jesus cites one commandment out of the Decalogue and one from another part of Leviticus[1].

Look at verse 17. To begin, Jesus teaches that you are not to repay evil with evil. Could he be saying our system of punishment, based on denial of liberty, composed of inhumane caging of human beings is adverse to his teachings?

Let's look deeper.

In verse 19, Jesus teaches that punishment based in revenge is not within the pervue of man, revenge belongs to God and God alone. Can that be? Are we to let those who commit crimes against us roam free to terrorize us?

No. Jesus does not teach that we are to lay down and play doormat. He has a better plan.

Jesus teaches that the answer to crime is not punishment, it is rehabilitation. Look closely at verse 20:

• If he is hungry, feed him
• If he is thirsty, give him something to drink

And in verse 21, Do not be overcome by evil; but overcome evil with good.

Are the myths, lies, hysteria, and hatred that drive the registry evil. Is the Pope Catholic?

Elsewhere Jesus teaches, as does Kong Qi, evil feeds on itself and eventually consumes itself.

There is an adage: All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Christian, Confucian, Muslim, Agnostic, Buddhist, Heathen, Atheist, Pagan, Humanist it makes no difference, we are all good men and women and it is time to stop doing nothing.

Note: [1] 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

29 The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."