That's a good point, Janice. I do not find the principle of self-defense anywhere in the Scriptures, but I DO see laying down our lives for someone else. In matters of society, we are to stand up for others and protect them. This often means standing up to, combating, and subduing evil on behalf of others. It is not in the spirit of vengeance, but in the spirit of what Jesus did for us: laying down our lives for others.