Christians: Whatever happened to that 'turn the other cheek' bit of the bible?

Question

I may not be up on my biblical studies, but I've got a distinct recollection of Jesus saying something along those lines (Matthew 5:38-42), (Luke 6:28-31).
So you can understand my confusion, as to why I keep on coming across obviously, strongly religious people (and yes, I know it's not all of you), totally cursing out atheists, agnostics, and others... saying: You’re going to burn in hell, you won't need a coat where you’re going, FUC*!!!! You, ect.... and all manner of other hurtful comments.
And I know that people try to stir you up (I've done it myself a number of times actually). But I ask you: If you're so sure in your beliefs, why does this stuff even bother you? I mean, I know if I was sure that a god existed I wouldn't even bother responding to people trying to bait me.

Anyways let me know what you think

-Cheers

...And I just got my first thumb down.... great. Totally reasonable question here people. Talking about tolerance, actually.

Answer 1

Actually Yes (1st answerer) you have 4 cheeks. After the second slap why don't you turn around, bend over, tell them to kiss your a$$ and walk away.

Why does anyone allow words that they don't believe in to drive them to act nuts? It doesn't make sense.

Good question Devilsadvocate. It could be posed to many other faiths too.

Answer 2

I think there has to be a balance.
I answer SOME questions that I know are baited, I try to answer them without venom or bitterness, my reasons for answering are often not to respond so much to the questioner as to give good solid information to others who might read through it and really be interested in knowing. I have to admit , I have felt and it may have come through sometimes, a little sarcasm in return. It is not right and there is no reason for me to get upset.
There is , however NO excuse for a claiming Christina to curse someone out, get into a 'virtual ' shouting or name calling match with a nonbeliever- and telling people they will burn in hell with a self righteous attitude is not exactly how Jesus would have preached the gospel. These people do not realize what damage they are doing to their testimony.
On the same token though, atheists often expect believers to behave perfectly because they have a notion that we think we are perfect- it is like a lot of you guys sit in wait just to pounce and make a mountain out of every little thing we do wrong. We are human, fallible, prone to sin, prone to letting the fleash rather than the Spirit lead. Christians are not perfect and anyone who says he is is a liar.

Answer 3

I have been waiting to hear from you. How are you? It is in Matthew 5:39. He, Jesus is talking to His disciples and telling them to go the extra mile. Many people who call themselves christians or worshippers of God who say stupid things like what they tell you think they are the answer to every problem. They think they have the right to act and say how ever and what ever they want. I think that when you press and press someone of course they are going to react. I have at least twice a day with my husband. He likes to press my buttons sometimes.
We are all human and we all make mistakes. Nobodies perfect and those who claim they have the right to be treated like they are need to repent and get saved again cause obviously the first time didn't take. As for you Mr. Advocate don't act like you don't like getting a rise out of people or you wouldn't say the things you say. I think it's quite humorous. brbrbrbrbrbrb!!!!!
For every so called christian out there responding with hatred toward non believers, what kind of representative are you for Jesus if you act in the same manner the world reacts. It's one thing to be curious and want to know why people believe what they do or don't but it's another to cause them to be turned off even more by people like you. If you call yourself a christian then act like one. No your righteousness and don't get offended or stay off this site.
Hope to here from you again Mr.Advocate.

Answer 4

i do no longer see "turn the different cheek" as a metaphor for forgiveness. somewhat, it particularly is a metaphor for endurance. you enable human beings to insult you and furnish your self up for extra so they're going to be rebuked by using their ethical experience and that they'll understand they have been incorrect. in elementary terms whilst they say sorry can they get it. Forgiving somebody who does not ask for it particularly is a ineffective act, like asserting apology conventional to somebody who has no longer apologized. yet getting indignant or protecting a grudge could be counter efficient. no you could think of logically whilst indignant. determining directly to no longer carry a grudge isn't the comparable ingredient as forgiveness. once you come to a city that isn't receptive of you, dirt off your sandals as you leave. Dusting off of the sandals became a severe insult to the full city.

Answer 5

I will, in some ways, agree with you. I also wonder why someone professing to be a Christian would respond in the ways that I read here. I am not perfect by any means, and often say things that I should not. But, we all (Christians) should be Christ-like in our responses.

To other Christians: please think about what you are putting out there. You are reflecting not only on others, but on Christ and your God. You are His reflection, or are supposed to be. How you behave is what others think about God. If you are hateful, nasty and ignorant, that is what they will think of God. How are you going to teach them the truth about God and make them disciples (the Great Commission) if you are giving them the impression that God is foul and belligerent?

As for answering people who are baiting those of faith(s), I sometimes respond to those questions in hopes that someone will read my response and benefit. I often respond not to the asker, but to others who read the responses, as in this case.

Again to Christians, and those of other faiths which are to project love, caring, etc... Think! Act what you profess to believe. This could be an awesome tool for ministry and witnessing, but just as the temple was turned into a den of iniquity, so are you turning this into something other than what it could be. If this site tempts you beyond what you can resist, get out! Don't be led into the traps that are being laid for you. You are hurting yourself and others. You will be held accountable for those you turn away, not by me, but by the God you profess to believe in. Please, think about what I am saying. Read what the Bible says about what our behavior should be like, and then do it.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

Answer 6

Its simple: (I'll use me as an example)
If you say, or do, against me for any reason, I will assume it is my fault. That I deserve what you say or do to me, because of me.
It will be assumed by me that I said something wrong, that the translation was bad, that my face just makes you mad for some reason.

However you jump on someone Else (depending on circumstances) for no reason, and you (or who ever) will think that Satan was just released from Hell, as I rip your head off and kick it down the street!
Now it will rip it off with the most christian smile I can bring up, and kick it with all the mercy I can deliver!

The same goes for this board. Attack me, and I' am at fault, because its me. I'll turn the other cheek.

Attack someone I feel is unjustly attacked and I'll jump in with everything the USN taught me!

Answer 7

I think it bothers some people because they want to help people understand God and when they fail to know the answers to something, they feel like failures themselves.

You also have to remember that we're all humans and sinners. As a Christian, I don't have any righteousness without Jesus. Just because Jesus told me to do something doesn't mean I'm going to get it right all the time, and especially not without his help!

Just because a kid's parents tell him what to do doesn't mean that if he doesn't always do it then he must not love his parents or that his parents don't exist. I'm not perfect--just forgiven <><

Answer 8

I am not religious but i find Jesus very interesting, not for his message of 'God' but for the knid of character he was. When i say I love Jesus Christ, that doesn't involve God :) but hey anyways.

As for the Question NICE! I'll just leave America's 'Conservatives' answer the question.

Answer 9

you don't really understand the cultural context of that statement. Jesus was not speaking to 21st century Americans, but First century people who were living under Roman occupation.
The Jews only used their left hand for toilet purposes, it would have been very awkward for a person to use only their right hand.

Answer 10

In those passages, Jesus is talking about interactions with other believers or those who represent themselves as believers. If someone is coming after you with a gun or a knife, you need to run away, or defend yourself if escape isn't possible.

The Bible needs to be read in context, the way you would read literature.