2007-11-10 08:59:53 · 15 answers · asked by Sherry 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not at all. I teach a Christian Martial class at my Church. You turn the other cheek when some one is insulting you (a slap in the face), but not when your life is in danger or there is a real physical threat. If you read further on in the Bible, you will see that after the persecution starts, Jesus tells His disciples to sell their belongings and buy swords with the money. There is a time to fight, you just have to know when it is acceptable.
2007-11-10 09:56:23 · answer #1 · answered by Splinter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all! The turn the other cheek verse is part of a continuation on the theme of revenge and forgiveness that is part of Jesus' famous "Sermon on the Mount." In the previous verse Jesus rebuked the concept of "an eye for an eye," which is an endorsement of equal revenge. So first off, the phrase is about not seeking revenge when you've been wronged.
Second, there's an important political context behind what Jesus is saying. At this point in history, the Jews were still subject to Roman rule and were not enjoying it at all (except for a select few). The Romans meanwhile, looked down on the Israelites and it was not uncommon for soldiers to rough around Jews from time to time. However, since they believed the Israelites to be beneath them, Roman centurions would not punch or forehand a Jew, as that would recognize the victim as an equal person and a legitimate threat in a fight. So they would just backhand the Jews (swinging their arm, presumably the right hand, from left to right).
Instead of retaliating when this happens, Jesus instructed such victims to turn their other cheek to the centurion. When this is done, if the Roman wants to hit the person again he has to swing from left to right and hit with his forehand; but this would signify equality as human beings between the two and defeat the point of the first blow the centurion gave.
In this manner, Jesus is advocating "passive resistance" to hostile forces. In other words, finding creative solutions to a problem that allow you to maintain your safety and dignity and that don't entail stooping to the aggressors level by using violence or slander, etc. Christians can defend themselves and their honor, but revenge isn't the way to do it. And in the end, we are always supposed to forgive those that wrong us (but that doesn't mean we can't be wary of them or pretend nothing happened though).
Hope that helped!
2007-11-10 09:39:48 · answer #2 · answered by Harbinger 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's so nice debating thru the computer, isn't it? When you're both uninformed and small-minded, it's much more pleasant than engaging with mature thinking people.
Gandhi used passive resistance - turning the other cheek - to British power to achieve Indian independence. King used passive resistance to achieve African-American civil rights.
These were strong people, unafraid of looking like a doormat, and their legacy is impervious to the word games of a child. It's time for you to wrestle hard thoughts instead of showing off your mastery of trivia.
2007-11-10 09:12:28 · answer #3 · answered by noname 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People treat you the way you let them. If you want to BE a doormat, then people will walk over you. Not just the "wicked." Believe me, before I developed a backbone, I was walked all over by people who called themselves devout Christians. Power trips and manipulation are rife among all sorts of people.
2007-11-10 09:04:14 · answer #4 · answered by Cheryl E 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It could if that Christian allowed it to. Turning the other cheek is a concept about forgiveness and love. However, we're also allowed to discern and use wisdom. For example, if my wife cheats on me every night, I should forgive her, but I would divorce her so she can't continue to hurt me.
2007-11-10 09:04:38 · answer #5 · answered by Jeremy E 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The wicked treat their own like doormats.There
is no honor among the wicked.
2007-11-10 09:07:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
No it means that if someone wants to hurt you - don't do the same thing to them; be better than them by controlling yourself and obeying God first.
2007-11-10 09:08:53 · answer #7 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Possibly, but most likely it would take the fun out of it for them -- especially when it shows everyone else what a**holes they really are.
2007-11-10 09:11:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, it gives people the license to ignore someone. I don't get it?
2007-11-10 09:03:52 · answer #9 · answered by Alex H 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well...I don't think so. I think it means that if someone attacks you, show them that you will get over it and rise above it.
2007-11-10 09:10:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋