I really don't think Jesus meant we should have no right to self-defense. He was just trying to say that we shouldn't be vengeful.

Also, it's not so much the idea that other people are more important than ourselves, but more the idea that love should never be selfish. If we love someone, then their needs should, at the very least, be as important as our own. When someone loves truly and deeply, then the needs of the other comes first. But it's not meant to be a one way street thing. It's meant to work in a situation where everyone is caring and supporting the other.

Clearly we live in a very violent and amoral world these days. It seems like everyone is out for what they can get and there is very little respect, consideration, compassion or kindness. But that makes it all the more important that we don't all become like that. Just one candle can banish some of the darkness, and it is a very dark world.