Enemies & Conflict

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Jesus' most radical commandment: love enemies. Not just tolerate—actively love. "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other back to him as well." Non-retaliation breaks the cycle of violence. But loving enemies does not mean accepting injustice—Jesus confronted the powerful. Source ✤

"Repel evil with what is better, and behold, he who was your enemy will become like an intimate friend." (Quran 41:34) The Quran teaches to respond to evil with good. At the same time, self-defense is allowed when attacked. "There is no coercion in religion." The primary jihad is the inner struggle against the ego, not war. The Prophet forgave Mecca after the conquest. Source ✤

"To the enlightened sage, a loving benefactor, a friend, an enemy, a stranger... all are equal." (Bhagavad Gita 6:9) The vision of unity (advaita) dissolves the friend/enemy distinction. All are manifestations of the same Brahman. However, Arjuna is instructed to fight—kshatra dharma (warrior's duty) permits just war. The distinction is: acting without personal hatred, fulfilling dharma. Source ✤

"Hate does not cease with hate; hate ceases with love. This is an eternal law." (Dhammapada 1:5) The Buddha taught that creating enemies comes from ourselves—projections of aversion. Metta (loving-kindness) towards everyone, including enemies, is a liberating practice. There is no real "enemy"—all are beings seeking happiness. Karuna (compassion) for the suffering that leads others to act badly. Source ✤

"The supreme victory is to win without fighting." (Sun Tzu) Taoism teaches yielding to win—water conquers rock through gentle persistence. Confucianism emphasizes harmony (he) over conflict. War is a last resort when all means have failed. The wise man transforms enemies into allies through virtue. Source ✤

"Ogun opens paths and wins battles, but I hope there is final peace." (Candomblé Tradition) In Candomblé, Ogum is the warrior who defends and opens paths. There is time to fight. But the Orixás also teach reconciliation. The elders of the terreiro mediate conflicts between saint-children. In Umbanda, exus and pombagiras can help in conflicts, but there are always consequences. Ubuntu teaches: harming others is harming yourself, because we are one. Source ✤

In African Traditional Religions, enemies & conflict is approached through relationships, responsibility, and mutual care. Guidance emphasizes listening, restoring trust, and choosing actions that protect community harmony. Support from others is seen as essential for lasting change. Source ✤

"The Sikh is sant (saint) and sipahi (soldier)—defends the innocent, hates no one." (Sikh Tradition) Sikhs are called to be saint-soldiers. They do not seek conflict, but they do not run away from it. The Khalsa was created to defend the oppressed. But even in battle, there is no hatred—war is dharma, not revenge. Guru Gobind Singh lost sons in battle, but he cultivated no personal hatred. Source ✤

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him." (Proverbs 25:21) Judaism is complex about enemies. There are texts of destruction of enemies and texts of mercy. Rabbinic tradition moderated violent texts. "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls." The ideal is rodef shalom—pursuing peace. But self-defense is permitted—"If someone comes to kill you, get up and kill him first." Source ✤

"Do not see anyone as an enemy; everyone is a manifestation of God." (Bahai Tradition) The Bahai Faith emphasizes the fundamental unity of humanity. The friend/enemy divide is an illusion that needs to be overcome. Conflicts should be resolved through consultation, not confrontation. World peace is the goal. Abdul-Baha was kind to his persecutors. Source ✤

"Fighting evil is a sacred duty—but with good means, not with personal hatred." (Zoroastrian tradition) Zoroastrianism sees life as a cosmic battle between good and evil. Fighting the forces of Angra Mainyu is a duty. But that doesn't mean hating people—it means fighting injustice and destruction. Good actions overcome evil more than violence. Source ✤

In Ancient Egyptian Religion, enemies & conflict is approached through relationships, responsibility, and mutual care. Guidance emphasizes listening, restoring trust, and choosing actions that protect community harmony. Support from others is seen as essential for lasting change. Source ✤

In Sumerian Religion, enemies & conflict is approached through relationships, responsibility, and mutual care. Guidance emphasizes listening, restoring trust, and choosing actions that protect community harmony. Support from others is seen as essential for lasting change. Source ✤

"The gods punish arrogance; wisdom is to make allies." (Sumerian wisdom) The Sumerians lived in city-states that were often in conflict. But wisdom literature advised prudence. Making unnecessary enemies was foolish. The gods punished the warrior hybris. Even heroes like Gilgamesh learned limits. Source ✤

"Horus defeated Set to restore Maat." (Egyptian myth) The conflict between Horus and Set represents the struggle between order and chaos. Horus avenges his father Osiris, but with justice, not just violence. Victory restores Maat—cosmic order. The Egyptians distinguished between enemies of Maat (which had to be fought) and personal disputes (which had to be mediated). Source ✤