I've started the audio lessons on Noahide laws by Rabbi Zvi Aviner. Last night I listened to the first lesson, and I was quite impressed by the depth of the Rabbi's knowledge. I personally dis-agree about violence however.
I've read 'an eye for an eye' and I firmly believe that while we should not seek violence, that it is ok, and sometimes even GOOD to kill in self defense. Let me give an example. Let's say a man approaches a woman with a knife in his hand, and he swings it at her. She cannot tell what his intent is - to kill her? Maybe he wants to subdue and rape her. Maybe he just wants her to drop her purse? Since she cannot tell the intent of her attacker, she should assume the worst in this case - that he wants to kill her. Let's also assume our lady friend carries a pistol in her purse...
From here, our story can continue two ways - she can defend herself by shooting to kill, she could shoot to wound and allow her attacker to live, or she could allow her attacker to have his way with her. In the two latter outcomes, our lady friend allows the attacker to live, allowing him to commit his crimes again regardless if she lives or dies.
