Up until now we have been focusing on the issue of political injustice. However, for this months entry, the subject will be personal injustice, and how to deal with it.
Today I had an encounter with an angry hateful person who sought to transfer his own personal negative emotions onto me. Perhaps what was most difficult to deal with is that the altercation was unprovoked and undeserved.
I believe that I handled the matter in a Christian way - meaning that I "turned the other cheek," and in so doing, maintained the moral high ground. As a result, I was able to walk away feeling good that I did not give in to what was essentially a trap.
As I think about the incident, I realize that it is the idea of injustice that continues to trouble me. I call it injustice because not only was the attack was undeserved, but the antagonist essentially got away with his bad behavior. As I write this I am dealing with the process of not just letting go, but rising above it. I realize that if I do not, I will be pulled down into the dark angry world that the antagonist dwells in. I must realize that the offender was acting out because of troubles in his own life. For him to expel that negative energy was cathartic for him. In that sense, (and I say this not in a condescending tone) I must look at him as Christ looked upon the sinners of his time. That is: not with bitter contempt, but with pity. And perhaps, in the future, it will occur to the offender that what he did was wrong, and he will feel remorseful and learn from it, and attempt to be a better human-being. And if he doesn't, I must remember that my reward for not giving in to anger and hate will be in Heaven.
Hi Aerik, these are some great thoughts here. You do a great job sharing with words the struggle that comes along with turning the other cheek! Well done :-) I found your site while just looking around Google for other like minded bloggers. I have a Christian based blog along these lines called http://www.ChristianEvolution.com Feel free to check it out and contribute. I have also signed up to follow your blow by email and am looking forward to getting more of your posts. Nice to "meet" you! Eric
ReplyDeleteHello. Thanks for the message. I just visited your site and liked what I saw. Especially the Socrates quote, since the link between neoplatonic thought and early Christianity - i.e. the Gnostics, is overlooked by the orthodoxy. I also see that you are a fellow Bart Ehrman and Marcus Borg fan. GREAT!!
ReplyDeletePS> I just subscribed to your blog as well.