fightin back

[Tenken07]

If I ever got into a situation where I was being attacked by someone or some group of people, would it be alright with God if I defended myself, and fought back?

and what if it was my brother who was harassing me? would it be alright then?

I'm getting a little worried about my brother. Hes and incredibly angry person and hes already hit me a couple times and he threatens me and my parents. If he were to start attacking me, would it be ok if I fought back?

 

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

I'd say so. God is not a softie unlike what some people think.

 

[RED that's ME]

Why is your parents allowing him to stay in your house when he is abusive whether verbal or physical to the family? They should strongly consider kicking him out even if they have to get outside help to do it.
Your parents needs to set down rules for living in the house and if they are not followed then your brother should leave.
Tough love stinks sometimes but it has to be done. Your parents has to protect the whole family.
If you can avoid fighting then do, if you can't then IMO go for it but be careful.
You might find some local counselors or even talk with the police in your area to find out what options ya'll have.

 

[Tenken07]

My dad would've kicked him out years ago. Its my mom that refuses to do so. She doesn't think its right to just kick your son out.

But im at the point where I feel like I have no control, power and or authority when it comes to my brother. He verbally and physically abuses me and I always feel like I have to back down and do nothing. its givin a him a kind of power over me ever since I thought I wasnt suppose to fight back.

 

[RED that's ME]

What does your parents tell you to do when your brother attacks you? If your mom is against him moving out then she needs to step up and handle the situation IMO.

BTW I don't see a problem defending yourself when you need to.

 

[Tenken07]

I asked my dad what I should do if my brother starts to really give me a hard time.
He basically said theres not much I can do except back off and hope he calms down.

Im startin to think I should get back into Tae Kwon Do and do some sparring to toughen up a bit... not for the sake of fighting of course. I would just like some more experience...

 

[RED that's ME]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with that. A home should be a place to feel safe and when it doesn't that stinks and only causes more family issues.
Your parents by not doing anything, even if they don't realize it or not, are condoning his behavior. They need to step up & take responsiblity for it. Would your family go to family counseling to see if ya'll get get help?

I know there's no perfect families. I have an older brother and growing up, we've done our own fighting at times.

 

[Abbadon]

How old is your brother? If he's over 16, your parents are legally able to tell him to back down or they can throw him out of the house.

Regardless of how one interprets "turn the other cheek," "turn the other cheek" does not say anything against defending others. "Turn the other cheek" does not mean "take it from behind" or "don't ever defend others."

"Turn the other cheek" refers to a relationship between a slave and his master. A slave owner would slap a slave with the back of thier right hand. People slapped social equals with the palm of thier right hand, and never slapped with thier left hand (because they'd have to go through a whole hassle of cleansing rituals after using a dirty hand). So, when a slave was slapped by his master, turning the other cheek forced his master to either: slap the slave as a social equal (insulting the slave owner), slap with the left hand (forcing the slave owner into having to go through the hassle of cleansing rituals), or chicken out and not slap at all.

The modern application of turn the other cheek would be "if someone beats you up, make sure you bruise really good so the jury rules in your favor."

 

[EraseTheHate]

I dont see why not.

 

[Avtoritet]

i would fight back. i wouldnt swing first. is that biblical? i dont think so.

 

[JacobHall86]

Punch him in the mouth

 

[WebbAcres]

I am so sorry you are having that problem with your brother.

 

[Taylor43]

Fight back you are no door mat

 

[£amb]

Is there a certain time or place he tends to do this? If so...(me personally) would there be a way to video tape him secretively...like hide a camera in an area he's most likely to hit on you and show your mother what he's doing? Or has she already witnessed this? I'm very concerned that your mother is...in a way...allowing this.

I say defend yourself!

 

[TexasBluebonnet]

I'd say so. God is not a softie unlike what some people think.

I agree