![]() Our doctrine of faith is Christ himself who teaches: "Love your enemies, do good and lend." So we live in a way that our love doesn't distinguish between friends and enemies, and we expect good things from God in return, "give, and it will be given to you: good measure, and running over," and "your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High." Our God is kind to all. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church presiding priest Humility is a sign we successfully passed the test. Thus, our goal would be to try to understand how enemies see the world and why they view it and us the way they do. Generally, a spiritual path is about ego-transcendence. (Exodus 23:5, Bava Metza 32b, "You Are What You Hate: A Spiritually Productive Approach to Enemies") Protect yourself and fight, only if necessary to avoid the enemy accruing a hefty "spiritual debt." We are to help our enemies when they need it, to help us become better people. Avoid a "reactive" tongue avoid a war of self-justification and avoid seeking revenge. If we meet hate with hate, react with anger, call for punishment, it will return to us. In the case of an "enemy," who is unkind or mean, rather than one who physically tries to harm us, we need to shift our perspective. Tahoe Hebrew Congregation & Temple Beth Or rabbi ![]() Loving our enemies and protecting ourselves are not incompatible.ĮlizaBeth W. Such love requires reliance on God: "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ." (Moroni 7:48) With love, our enemies may become our friends. "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5).Hales, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints area public affairs director LOVE, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, LONG-SUFFERING Buddhism is not easy to "live by" when hostilities are present, but with loving kindness as our "light," we can regard "enemies" ultimately as friends in peace. Both reflect this truth in attitudes of loving kindness toward those who drove them from Tibet and Vietnam. The Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh remember that every person has been our relative in prior births. After my friend Jerry, a "medic," witnessed Vietnamese Buddhist monks walking calmly through heavy "firefights" in loving kindness, he became Buddhist. Actions, speech, intentions in angry self-interest may "win" in the short term but "lose" any long-term peace. Actions, speech and intentions in loving kindness will eventually result in peace. Buddhist social teachings derive from loving-kindness leading to highest human potential. This is the law, ancient and inexhaustible." (Byrom). Jikai' Phil Bryan, Buddhist Priest and Meditation Guideīuddha said, "Only love dispels hate. As Luke tells it, perhaps the words of Jesus as he died upon the cross give us the final answer: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) On one hand, love of the enemy does not mandate allowing that enemy to destroy another but on the other hand, love of the enemy cannot permit the enemy's life to be seen as less valuable than another. In so doing, it does not at the same time negate this teaching of the gospel. It does, however, uphold the right of a person to self-defense and to the defense of others against an unjust aggressor. ![]() The strongest and simplest Christian teaching on treatment of enemies is put forth by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Catholic Christian teaching would never condone hatred or vengeance. Durante, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno vicar general We asked our panel of religious leaders the following question: What do your faith doctrines tell you about handling the enemy?Ĭharles T. Should we feel happy and celebrate when we see the enemy harmed? Should we pray for the welfare of our enemy? Should we ignore the enemy or should we try to destroy the enemy? Should we treat an enemy with the spirit of compassion, love, forgiveness, reconciliation and kindness or with hatred, demonization, repulsion, vengeance, anger and distrust? How should we handle our enemy? How should we react when forced into a fight?
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