Retaliation - Revenge in Religion

Revenge in Religion

Many religions condemn revenge, or promote it as eternal punishment.

Judaism forbids revenge for small sins such as insults and things like stealing. For large crimes, such as murder, the issue of revenge is more complicated. While some rabbis condemn all revenge, others consider feelings (though not necessarily actions) of revenge permissible in extreme cases such as murder, where the forgiveness of the person offended cannot be attained.

Some assert that the Hebrew Bible's concept of reciprocal justice "an eye for an eye" (Exod. 21:24) validates the concept of proportionate revenge, in which there would be a simple 'equality of suffering'; however Rabbinic law states this verse indicates a person should provide a monetary payment for the eye or tooth that was damaged, and does not require the assailant to receive physical damage. This view confounds the concepts of justice and revenge, and disregards the fact that "eye for an eye" justice was a philosophical advance on the normative practice of the day (see blood feud, infra) and that Judaic scripture elsewhere prescribes “Do not seek revenge . . . love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Also, the Hebrew Bible illustrates the concept that '"vengeance is mine" says the Lord' (Deut. 32:35, cf., in the NT, Rom. 12:19).

Hinduism focuses on dharma and karma, with revenge stemming from attachment to the physical plane. That being said, there are numerous instances of revenge in older scripture, particularly in the saga of Parashurama.

Buddhism condemns revenge as stemming from ego and attachment.

Denominations of Christianity generally command their followers to forgive their enemies. Christian views on death penalty and the use of the military are more subject to interpretation.

In Islam, if we agree with the previous definition of revenge, then revenge is forbidden and prohibited. For example, if one kills a person, then the other has not the right to take revenge. Islam put conditions to this issue and the Executive Power is the only authority that has the right to take the required procedures and nobody else. Furthermore, Islam encourages the tolerance even in the killing condition.

LaVeyan Satanism promotes "vengeance" as a core tenet.