>>The Christian path would be one of forgiveness and turning the other cheek to the oppressor.

No one noticed that the bible never said you can't smack the guy a good one upside the head after you've offered the other cheek. You can still forgive the oppressor after that right?

Seriously, it really depends on what people do before I decide whether or not to pursue 'justice' and 'punish' them for it. Justice and punishment have such broad definitions too.

I would say that Confucius is onto a good thing here, i would almost label it as being Platonic in substance if not form. There must be a distinction and the distinction is always one we choose to make and that will ultimately bear on how we are perceived in the world and what sort of society we live in.

respect is a core requirement for human dignity. If you do not inspire respect in others or give respect where it is due you will live in a world without justice, a moral universe barren of cause and effect (for what is justice if not an effect that is equal in measure to its cause).

Interesting post.

Marco

No one noticed that the bible never said you can't smack the guy a good one upside the head after you've offered the other cheek. You can still forgive the oppressor after that right?

Father forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us 'after' smacking them on their slimy heads

If you do not inspire respect in others or give respect where it is due you will live in a world without justice,

Well said.

In the Bible, the Old Testament tells you to think eye for an eye, the New Testament would have you turn the other cheek every time you are wronged.  In my beliefs one should be entitled to make a mistake and have an opportunity to correct that which has wronged.  In essence I will turn the other cheek the first time I am wronged by someone but will not allow it to happen again, and if it does then I will seek repercussions.  This a shameless plug  but I wrote an article here a while back dubbed "justice and our self reliance" that explains in detail what I believe the human sense of morality and justice consists of, here's the Link

I think forgivness is important. It's to get YOU off the hook. I don't think it means that the oppresor escapes consequences or responsibility. If I get drunk, God will forgive. But I'll still have the hangover.

kutte kamine main tera khoon pee jaaonga

Quite an interesting post, I guess I agree with Conificus as well. In fact, I'm one of those people who can't sleep in peace unless I feel that I've got my revenge on someone who's hurt me in anyway. But I was told by someone who was very wise (No, not Yoda from Star Wars), that it is not fair that i alone decide whether I was rightly or wrongly hurt. In my perspective I might feel that the person has harmed me unecessarily, but it may not be the same in someone else's. In the end, I guess it's all about make the right choices.