That Shalt Not Kill or Injure

 

     In that Christ said to turn the other cheek when attacked and the eighth Lemurian law states that no one may kill or injure another person except in defense of his life or his state, a question was asked whether a robber should be resisted if doing so would require causing death or injury. Richard answered that he considered the present laws of Illinois to be just in this type of situation. The laws say that a person is not justified in killing a man for stealing his car or entering his property. If, however, the intruder is obviously carrying a weapon and is discovered in one’s household, it would be justifiable to assume that he intends to do bodily harm. Under those circumstances, one could do whatever is necessary to assure his own safety and the safety of his household. Karmic law would generally follow the same pattern in that one would not have to suffer retribution for harming another when protecting the lives of self and family or in the defense of state. However, karma measures only the final results. If a situation is misjudged and harm is done to an innocent person, even though the intentions were proper, a karmic debt accrues and must be repaid.

 

     Richard gave another light to the words of Christ stating that if asked to go a mile, go two instead; if struck on one cheek, turn the other also. He interpreted Christ as meaning not to set up resistances within oneself. The oak in a storm resists and therefore cracks, but the willow bends and springs back unharmed. Since resisting sets up more emotional difficulties than bending for survival, it is usually best to bend with a situation so that it can be safely borne emotionally and then see about solving the problem later. (10-1969)

 

 

 

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