Does it mean to forgive someone that has harmed you and continue to be in good terms with them. I am not a Christian and I am trying to use this quote in my paper. I just want to make sure that I am understanding the quote.
2007-09-13 10:44:37 · 23 answers · asked by Carmen R 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus said this in reference to an insult if you look closely. So, if your neighbour does something to you that does not physically harm you, you are to overlook it. However it doesn't mean that if your life is threatened, you should turn the other cheek.
2007-09-13 10:50:40 · answer #1 · answered by Starjumper the R&S Cow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turning the other cheek is in context. If someone slaps you (wrongs you), give them the other cheek to slap that one too. If someone asks you to walk a certain distance with them, walk more. If someone asks for your cloak, give your coat too... in other words RISE above seeking Justice and walk in the realm of mercy or giving.
The Lord Almighty GIVES and takes NOTHING!!.. the Godly give more and take less. The average person gives and takes in justice, whereas the crook takes what does not belong to him or her.
In the old days might was right as it is now too. The powerful could take from the weak. Then came the message of Moses which taught justice. Do not take what does not belong to you. Then came an even higher law moving us even closer to the ALL GIVER, the Mighty One, when Jesus taught to give more than asked or give before being asked and become closer to God.
Some Christians confused what was taught by Jesus. Some folks began to look down upon those who were seeking justice. Thus if a bully is abusing a small boy at school, if one would distort the message of Christ, one would expect the little boy to forgive the bully and put all the burden on forgiveness on the abused.
Our Prophet Mohammad clarified it to the next level. In social transactions each individual would be better off he was merciful, but it is not my place to ask the bully to be forgiven. It is the priority of the boy alone to forgive or not forgive. I can only support justice. If it was up to me, I can not forgive the bully on behalf of the little boy. I could only support justice and have the bully abused. ONLY THE BOY had the prerogative to be merciful AFTER THE BULLY was accosted and was about to be punished for his wrong.
Thus Islam establishes victims rights, but should the victim forgive, that is a greater blessing for both him and the person who did wrong to them.
So things get raised one more notch to the final level. Thanks for putting up with my long answer.
2007-09-13 17:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by NQV 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that's mainly the point of it...
In the Old Testament the maxim was "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" (in short: revenge)
Whereas in the New testament, Jesus changes this perspective saying "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also"
Well, Jesus was the best man that ever inhabited Earth, even if you arent a Christian you could not deny it, his life is part of History already.
But I dont think his advice could apply to regular people for he was extraordinary....
Forgiveness is good, but get real...
Well, he was promoting non-violence such as Gandhi did later...good guy Gandhi, another extraordinary man..
2007-09-13 17:55:48 · answer #3 · answered by Abbey Road 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and No, In the verse that you are refering, Jesus said that is someone slaps you, turn to him the other cheek as well,
To slap someone on the cheek was considered a great insult in Jesus' time, I imagine it is today as well, so He was speaking more about injury to pride than physical injury. So I think the meaning of this bit of scripture, Is a bit of how we Christians should live, If someone insults us, so what, let it go, because under the grand scheme of Gods plan of salvation, it really doesn't matter if someone insults you. We are to love them instead and in doing so it will increase their shame, hopefuly to the degree that they eventually come to the understanding that all have sinned and are in need of a saviour.
2007-09-13 17:55:33 · answer #4 · answered by exodust20 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means, literally: If you are slapped, rather than return the slap, turn the other cheek so as to indicate to the aggressor that you will not retaliate, even if you are slapped again.
In a broader sense, it means to avoid being goaded into vengeful actions.
In a religious sense, it means to forbear and tolerate the injustices often perpetrated by those who do not believe as you do. It is largely believed to be a basic Christian doctrine.
2007-09-13 17:56:46 · answer #5 · answered by lfh1213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The analogy is that if someone slaps you on one cheek, instead of getting revenge, turn and offer the other cheek. It is about continuing to love even after someone has hurt you. And to forgive.
2007-09-13 17:49:59 · answer #6 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means simply to ENDURE.
That is basically what American Christians are doing these days with the onslaught of Christian bashing on so many levels of public life.
Starting with some school districts forbidding Christmas celebrations, but Ramadam and Jewish holidays are permitted.
Christians will endure until Christ's return, at which time we will be righteously and profoundly defended.
2007-09-13 17:47:24 · answer #7 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Turn the other cheek" doesn't mean to get pushed around, but to reclaim equality. In altercations, the Romans would slap the Jews with the BACK of their hand, which signified that the Jew was unequal to the Roman. When Jesus taught them to turn the other cheek, this meant that the Roman would now have to slap the jew with the INSIDE of his hand as an EQUAL. God bless.
2007-09-13 17:48:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If someone slaps you don;t resist him. Offer up the other cheek. Christianity is all about peace and forgiving.
2007-09-13 17:49:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means that you don't try to take revenge. You don't try to get even with them. In doing nothing, you run the risk that they hurt you a second time because you didn't fight back. It is a non violent response that is the opposite of most people's natural response to fight back.
2007-09-13 17:49:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋