As I understand it, there are two covenants. A part of the Old Covenant is "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". Revenge and retribution are hallmarks of the highest orders of early civilization.

And then along came Christ. Here's where there is evidence of an evolution of civilization, which must be paralleled in individual human development.

On the cross, Christ is reported to have said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do."

He didn't say his followers couldn't protect themselves.

He didn't say to kill them all and as many of their neighbors as might be around.

He ESPECIALLY didn't say to kill and loot the property of a rich guy who may have known them.

But from "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" to "forgive them Father for they know not what they do" is a leap not OF maturity, but is really the leap TO maturity.

Jesus made it. I know many of His followers have not. Especially in Western countries, where getting and keeping "stuff" occupies so much of the available brain power.

Tutu has it, in spades, as well as Mandela. They have institutionalized it, something the US could never, never do. Too many Christians to allow anything like forgiveness and reconciliation.

Mother Teresa didn't get involved, but she knew forgiveness.

Arf