if i dont turn the other cheek.and let my enemy strike my other cheek
2006-06-25 16:33:40 · 7 answers · asked by longhunter17692002 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No.
2006-06-25 16:36:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is actually opposed to a pure pacifism. There are some instances where justice demands that the attacker is restrained, by force if necessary. Modern pacifism often assumes an "indifference" towards the action, and does not declare the action to be moral or immoral based on a twisted understanding of "thou shall not judge" which sees all things as relative. This standpoint is dreadfully wrong! The necessity to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39) when read in context both with scripture and the Jewish tradition is not a call to allow yourself to be abused in all situations without taking a moral stand, but rather a call towards forgiveness while taking a moral stand. The Jewish Law, as interpreted at that time, was short on mercy, and Christ taught how mercy triumphs justice (They will have justice without mercy who have shown no mercy. But Mercy triumphs over Justice." -James 2:13).
So the true message here is Jesus telling his followers that they must seek a way to build solidarity with their enemies, to turn them around, and make them friends. Love extends to one's enemies both in the goodness that they possess but also in hope that they might become truly good people and true friends of yourself and of God.
A person might turn the other cheek and suffer for the sake of the other person (cf. the theology of redemptive suffering present in the Catholic/Orthodox traditions), and that is a great act of love. But one should never turn away from ones neighbor who is suffering harm. If your neighbor's enemy is "striking" him, you are morally bound to prevent the striking. This need not be by force, but it can include force.
Let me close with a quote
"It was said concerning Abba Agathon that some monks came to find him having heard tell of his great discernment. Wanting to see if he would lose his temper they said to him 'Aren't you that Agathon who is said to be a fornicator and a proud man?' 'Yes, it is very true,' he answered. They resumed, 'Aren’t you that Agothon who is always talking nonsense?' 'I am." Again they said 'Aren't you Agothon the heretic?' But at that he replied 'I am not a heretic.' So they asked him, 'Tell us why you accepted everything we cast you, but repudiated this last insult.' He replied 'The first accusations I take to myself for that is good for my soul. But heresy is separation from God. Now I have no with to be separated from God.' At this saying they were astonished at his discernment and returned, edified."
2006-06-25 17:28:54 · answer #2 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
... thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,
hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for
wound, stripe for stripe.
- Exodus 21:23-25
... resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right
cheek, turn to him the other also.
- Matthew 5:39
You can have it both ways!
2006-06-25 17:09:47 · answer #3 · answered by Beware the fury of a patient man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! Jesus said you have to do that. If you don't you will rot and burn in hell. Y'all can't have it both ways... oh.. sorry .. I forgot we are basically talking about the chrisatan bible.. the book of contradictions.
2006-06-25 16:37:25 · answer #4 · answered by Leela 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give me your other cheek BIT^%6!!!
I'll slap it!
2006-06-25 16:37:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thik in some cases.
2006-06-25 16:38:09 · answer #6 · answered by jessw931 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't get it.
2006-06-25 16:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋