Compassion Vs Human nature (moral, Kingdom, preach, bible, moral)

[Ori]

I'm afraid I forget exactly where it was, but somewhere in this forum someone pointed out what a radical notion 'turn the other cheek' must have been when first preached by Christ, given that it seems so fundamentally opposed to human nature. I was wondering if this idea was *first* proposed by Christ or if there are other examples of movements that preached compassion and selflessness over self-interest, and if so what happened to them. Such movements might be expected to be crushed pretty quickly by less ethical opponents, but the rapid spread of Christianity, not to mention its longevity, suggest that perhaps this is not the case.

It would be kind of nice to think that systems based on ethical, compassionate behaviour can work, rather than the dog-eat-dog materialism we tend to have in the West right now. I realise that any system will tend to be abused by those at the top for their own self-interest, but I don't think this matters so much so long as it continues to work as intended for the majority of people.

[Tawn]

Just look at the animal kingdom for your answers..

[Ori]

This is a thread I hope wil get more of a response, so if you would all just take the time to comment I would be pleased, if not thanks anyway.

[Fluffy]

Okay this is probably not the best source for such an answer but from studying the Odyssey, my book notes commented that the idea of "eye for an eye" which is evident throughout the Odyssey was not SERIOUSLY challenged until time of Christ. Might be biased though, I'm not sure.

[michel]

Hi Orichalcum;


The biblical quote, as you no doubt know, came from : -
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Luke 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.



In terms of philosophy, Socrates and Plato advocated 'no retaliation.........

"DR Khashaba examines Socrates' moral philosophy. ... Thus having affirmed that ‘we
ought not to retaliate or render evil for evil to anyone, whatever evil ..."
Source :- http://examinedlifejournal.com/artic...hp?authorid=15
Bearing in mind that Socrates is thought to have died in the early spring of 399 BC, I think we can safely say that the same 'morality' sprung from pure philosophy.



I hope that answers your question