Turn the other cheek question?

Question

I've heard this saying a lot but why is it that religious people don't live by it. I've seen a lot of them get angry and even try to hurt someone without that other person trying to hurt them. Am I wrong or is the doctrine wrong here, or out of place? Practice what you preach?

Answer 1

It is because religion teaches people to act differently than their own nature. To be truly pious is next to impossible.

Answer 2

Xtians should turn the other cheek as much as possible. But obviously, since Xtians are also humans, they don't get it right most of the time.

Religious people are also human beings and struggle to do the right thing constantly. Also, they are blinded by a need to defend themselves - a very human weakness. Sometimes they feel they're being attacked when in fact they aren't.

Many religious people really want the best for the world, but instead of surrendering their will to God as they have been asked to do, they try to play superhero and become control freaks. Hence their sometimes weird outbursts of self-defence.

It is a common problem. I observe it myself, especially among the more fundamentalist Xtians I know. They can't let go and trust God to protect them and others, so they go mental when someone does something "wrong", in an effort to solve problems that only God can solve.

When you see something like that happen again, maybe do what I do - break the chain of spiritual violence; simply stand back from that person and say a word of loving blessing over them. Refuse to participate no matter what.

Answer 3

Well, actually, if you say to turn the other cheek and you don't live by that doctrine, then you ARE a hypocrite. Indeed, all kinds of religious people, from Christians to atheists to Buddhists, fail to live up to this statement. They have their own justifications for not doing this, such as defending their point of view and their fellows from the attacks of other distinct religious groups, which obviously have a different point of view. However, all this doesn't mean that some people can't live up to the doctrine of turning the other cheek. If you want to do this, then by all means do it. It has its own benefits.

Answer 4

It's a Biblical teaching which teaches people about tolerance, but apparently no one follows this teaching any more. This means that you don't have to follow the teaching, even though there is such kind of a teaching. No matter who or what, it's always wrong to hurt others when you get angry though. Even so, the Bible still tries to teach people how to control their anger and tongue. It's up to people whether to observe this teaching, religious or not.

Answer 5

The doctrine is right, but it is not always easy to practice. For anyone, not just Christians. It's like when you were in school and your parents or teachers told you not to fight, no matter what the other person did. Sometimes it is not so easy or you are pushed so far. But Christians are supposed to practice this, but remember Christians are human too, definitly not perfect.

Answer 6

I suspect this doctrine is preached as a way to "sucker" others into accepting their own abuse. There's nothing like telling someone to "turn the other cheek" just before you slap the first one. It's sad, but too many seem perfectly o,k. to preach, and then ignore their own dogma.

Answer 7

The Bible seems to contradict itself all the time, probably why we cannot take it seriously. It says turn the other cheek,and also says an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, i.e. REVENGE!How can we live by doctrines from thousands of years ago, everything and everybody has changed.

Answer 8

The majority of religious people I've ever known, didn't live by the teachings of their religion (but expect others to)...seems most people feel immune to the parts they don't like or agree with, or think if they have proper justification in their mind, then bending or breaking "the rules" will be okay...

Answer 9

First, have compassion for religious people. They do not fully understand the nature of reality and the power of their minds to manifest whatever they want to believe. You are responsible for creating everything that happens to you because your mind is constantly creating everything that you believe. If you fear or hate you will bring forth into fruition a torrent of negative events. So if you blame someone else for rending this misfortune on you, you are following of path of future strife and futility.
Instead, understand that the religions do not want you to live in hostility and war, so they teach you to forgive without teaching you why. I hope you now know why.

Answer 10

This is very true. Jesus said himself that we should turn the other cheek, but still many of us who call ourselves Christian do not practice what He preached. So many people pick and choose what they will follow and not follow. If you call yourself a Christian, it should be your lifelong goal to live like Christ. That includes turning the other cheek. Good question.

Answer 11

They should be turning the other cheek, but don't confuse that with the willingness to defend yourself, if necessary.

I suppose it takes a mature person to be able to discern the difference, so don't take it to heart when that happens, some people just need to mature. They will, eventually. But don't hesitate to let them know that in a kind way ... let them know that they are supposed to turn the other cheek.