2006-12-15 14:37:46 · 10 answers · asked by rian apple 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are too right, according to Jesus we should be turning the other cheek:
Turn the other cheek is a famous phrase taken from the Sermon on the Mount in the Christian New Testament. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says:
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)
A parallel version is offered in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke:
"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you," "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. *And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also*. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:28-31. King James Version)
These passages are viewed as promoting nonresistance, pacifism or nonviolence. This passage has been interpreted as an injunction of nonviolent resistance, and a teaching that it is wrong to commit violence, even in self-defense or retaliation.
A follower of non-violence and Christian anarchy, Leo Tolstoy had a few things to say on this subject as well: 1) "All violence consists in some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do." 2) "In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful." 3) "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
It makes you wonder why so many promient American Christians are war-mongers? and so spiteful about giving unto others? Can we say "hy-po-cri-sy"? Can you see Rush giving his shirt and coat to someone who asked for it (like a gay, black, atheist, poor person)?
blazer:Technically, the United States is a republic, not a true democracy. More precisely, the USA can be considered a constitutional federal republic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_republic
2006-12-15 15:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by edith clarke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a Christian individual should behave that way. It doesn't mean they get to be stepped on, but it means that they should not be retaliatory. Unfortunately most people don't(Christians included) follow that. The effect of that attitude can be seen in the sectarian war in Iraq or Hezbollah and Israel stepping up their war in July. It is a constant tit for tat mentality. That is the problem with having a nation that is supposedly Christian, since all governments have a responsibility to defend their people and their "interests". God never intended to have a theocratic democracy. A democracy can be a good thing if it allows freedom of religion, but governments are by nature, worldly. And so the only government that will be perfect and Christian, will be our heavenly one. We cannot try to make one here on earth. Pretty soon people will be forcing religion on others, or trying to destroy all evil in the earth. So governments never will or can act like a Christian individual, even if their currency and pledge of allegiance claim to be "under God".
2006-12-15 14:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by The GMC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the example Jesus gave were regarding inconvenience and pride NOT life threatening situations Christians can go extra mile when inconvenienced or turn the other cheek when insulted or when non life threatening harm come on them to win over the person by a loving response to a malaction
BUT
Jesus did NOT say "if someone sticks a knife in your right side give him your left side and let them stab you there as well" and so your reasoning does NOT follow This allows use of forse in restraining crime, protecting the innocent , self defence and notions of a just war
Christians will in good concience have dissagreements over some of the specifics and how to apply them to their lives in good conciennce
2006-12-15 14:40:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
America is a nation with Christians and all other kinds of Faiths. Also turn the other cheek if you are slapped or insulted but not maimed or killed. We can protect ourselves and our loved ones.
2006-12-15 14:52:32 · answer #4 · answered by bess 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that you meant "turn the other cheek", but America is not a Theonomy. It is a democracy and run by the people. If God wants us to do that, it will be done. His timing is perfect and His will will be done. His ways are not our ways. Their turn will come. Don't worry about it.
2006-12-15 14:42:37 · answer #5 · answered by blazer 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2016-05-22 22:33:58 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.I offer my left and right butt cheek for all the terrorists to kiss
2006-12-15 14:46:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We're alot more like the Romans than the followers of Christ?
2006-12-15 14:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Mark T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are Americans first and Christians second.
2006-12-15 14:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by Atlas 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
We did after they bombed the USS Cole. They didn't stop so, now we kick butt.
2006-12-15 14:41:56 · answer #10 · answered by TubeDude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋