PEACE IN CHRISTIANITY

PEACE IN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS ~ 113 ~ The teachings of Christ attach the greatest importance to love and good behaviour. This is expressed in one of his sayings in the Bible: But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. (6:27) This means that you should love everyone, even your enemies. You should adopt a peaceful attitude towards everyone, even towards those who choose to be physically abusive. It is this unilateral good behaviour which has been thus symbolically expressed: To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods, do not ask them back. (6:29-30) This is not encouragement to be passive. It is, in symbolic language, a lesson in unilateral ethics. This symbolic teaching can be expressed as follows: