Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl00707)

I think one can be compassionate yet do what needs to be done. Sometimes
what needs to be done can be very very painful in the short run, but is
in the long term interests.

As an analogy, my friendly compassionate surgeon can ruthlessly cut me
open with his sharp knife and fix a problem with my body. Cutting
somebody's body in the abstract can look like cruel and uncompassionate.
It will produce intense pain and suffering in the short run. But in the
long run it may save the life itself.

It's my 2 cents worth on this topic.

	....doss