"An eye for an eye" - for the record

Here is one of the favorite verses of the Old Testament Christianists (those who believe in Christianity, or Christianism):
Deuteronomy 19:21 (New International Version)
21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Leviticus 24:19-20 (New International Version)
19 If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured.
Exodus 21:22-25 (New International Version)
   22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Okay, you caught me--I included the full context of that Exodus quote, when in reality the Old Testament Christianists NEVER quote Exodus 21:22, because it shows that the unborn product of a pregnancy is not covered by the "life for a life" law--it isn't a "serious injury"--it's just a civil matter, a tort. That sort'a sinks the whole embryo=personhood argument.

But back to the topic (if there is one): Then Jesus came along and changed that law--and this is where the Old Testament Christianists part company with those who follow Jesus. This is what the New Testament represents Jesus as saying:

Matthew 5:38-48 (New International Version)
    38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
    43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

So seeking vengence, pay-backs, retaliation--that's not following Jesus. I'm going to extend that to mean that we don't go to war for retaliation, either.

Bush's war is a wicked war, any way you approach it. And George W. Bush is known as a Christianist because he professes he believes in Christianity (especially the do-over part), but his works don't indicate that he follows the passage above.

And while I'm in the Bible-quotin' mood, another passage that isn't heard much is the one that says you don't have to follow Jesus, but you do have to acknolwedge that there is a higher power. I've always understood these passages as meaning that it doesn't matter what language you use or what system of belief you profess or what name(s) you give to that highter power--you just need to profess your belief--you need spirituality to "belong to the kingdom"

Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:31-32).

Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:28-30).

And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven (Luke 12:10).