When Anthony (my husband) was teaching in China, someone said this at dinner one

Question

When Anthony (my husband) was teaching in China, someone said this at dinner one time, and Anthony said it really stuck with him. The guy said, "I think everyone is devoted to justice, but it’s not actually what everyone actually wants, because if justice were done we would all be thrown into the fire straight to hell. What we actually need is mercy. What we should cultivate is being merciful to one another." So for this guy, mercy is different from justice. He defines justice as something quite different from mercy. He's drawing a distinction between justice and mercy and he's saying that mercy is better than justice. What do think? Comment on this idea. Do you think it's spot on? And if so, how come? Or if you think what he is saying is a mistaken or harmful way of understanding mercy and justice, explain. Who do you know that agrees with this guy's view of justice? Do you know anyone who thinks differently about mercy and justice than this guy? Do you agree with this man's definition of justice? How do you define justice? How come? When you write your response, start off with a quick little summation of how you are understanding his point of view. (I want you to get into the habit of summarizing a point of view before you respond to it. Summary is you doing the research before you response.) Once you've summarized this guy's point of view as you understand it, then write what you think in response! I think the guy is saying ______.... My own reaction to this is ______...

Explanation / Answer

Mercy is different from Justice. Justice is most of the time slinked to punishment and related to judicial way of doing righteousness but mercy is more about giving forgiveness by someone who has the full power to punish. Justice, is a virtue in society but Mercy is a more virtue as it results in a more peaceful way.

I think the guy is saying that everyone is devoted to justice but it is not like that everyone wants justice. There are many people in the society which are doing bad may be intentionally or not but if they give a chance of mercy, they may improve up and can become a better person. If Justice were done to everyone without given a chance of mercy, all would be thrown in hell fire. So, my own reaction to this is- All we need is actually mercy and must cultivate the habit the habit of being merciful to one another. It’s not like that mercy will be given to big criminals and murderers, but at least before punishment a merciful chance must be given to wrong doers which will bring a meaningful change in their lives.

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