Question for the christians...

[KFatal]

Turning the other cheek

Hey everyone, I noticed that alot of christians i know fight alot and dont back down from fights. i also understand that jesus thought to turn the other cheek. I dont understand why they do this. Do you turn the other cheek? if not please explain.

thx amara for letting me edit :thumb:

 

[Amara]

*re-opened for editing*

 

[Amara]

Hey everyone, I noticed that alot of christians i know fight alot and dont back down from fights. i also understand that jesus thought to turn the other cheek. I dont understand why they do this. Do you turn the other cheek? if not please explain.

thx amara for letting me edit :thumb:

That sounds much better and to answer your question, I think it is something that is not specific to Christians - people everywhere refuse to back down, for the most part because they do not want to be proven wrong (see the way people carry on in arguments on here, they wanna have the last word). In regards to Jesus, however, I think the standard that he sets, is just that, a standard - not a checklist of how to live, but an example of perhaps a more sensitive way of dealing with situations. We have the choice whether or not to let situations get the better of us and often it is a better alternative to "turn the other cheek" even though sometimes we all cant refuse the temptation to stay and fight it out.

 

[Jokerman]

Just because someone's a "christian" doesn't mean they live like one or even know how to.

 

[KFatal]

That sounds much better and to answer your question, I think it is something that is not specific to Christians - people everywhere refuse to back down, for the most part because they do not want to be proven wrong (see the way people carry on in arguments on here, they wanna have the last word). In regards to Jesus, however, I think the standard that he sets, is just that, a standard - not a checklist of how to live, but an example of perhaps a more sensitive way of dealing with situations. We have the choice whether or not to let situations get the better of us and often it is a better alternative to "turn the other cheek" even though sometimes we all cant refuse the temptation to stay and fight it out.

thx for explaining it to me. i have 1 more question, what about the people that say if you dont follow jesus' rules, you go to hell? so basically its just a suggestion on how to live, not a religious law?if so does that go for most other laws in christianity? sorry for my lack of knowledge on this subject..

 

[S O F I]

Just because someone's a "christian" doesn't mean they live like one or even know how to.

Exactly. I'm a Christian, and sadly, I don't follow my faith nearly as much as I should.

For the thread starter: I think every religion teaches you to love your enemy and "turn the other cheek", in one way or another. Not just Christianity.

 

[Amara]

thx for explaining it to me. i have 1 more question, what about the people that say if you dont follow jesus' rules, you go to hell? so basically its just a suggestion on how to live, not a religious law?if so does that go for most other laws in christianity? sorry for my lack of knowledge on this subject..

I'm not sure either because I am not a practising Christian (and it varies slightly between the different faiths within Christianity), but from what I understand, for those who may have strayed from the religious path laid out in the bible, there is option of forgiveness should you ask for it. It is not so much as a law because the belief is that the Lord is merciful and willing to forgive our sins.

 

[not really ken]

Jesus was the rooh-Allah or the spirit of God. He was extremely spiritual in a time of extreme materialism. Too cut a long story short. Jesus was sent as a prophet to a small community of people to bring them back to a middle ground. Between materialism and spirituality. He came to enforce the law of the torah, which in many aspects is the same as the law of the Qu'ran. His extreme spirituality was just a show to the people of what they should come back to. Jesus never realy brought with him any kind of code to live by. It was only to maintain blance between the two opposites of spirituality and materialism.
Many of the early Christians were referred to as 'animals' for many centuries after Jesus passed. This is because they refused sex and their extreme spirituality meant that many people were dumbfounded at how people could live like this, where they ignored their bodies innate nature. Jesus never got married, he consumed very little food, he never built a house rather moved from one place to the other. The true essence of the message has never been properly understood.

Side note: Jesus and Moses are individually mentioned more times than Mohammed (PBUH) in the Qu'ran.

 

[Sebastian]

Hey everyone, I noticed that alot of christians i know fight alot and dont back down from fights. i also understand that jesus thought to turn the other cheek. I dont understand why they do this. Do you turn the other cheek? if not please explain.

thx amara for letting me edit :thumb:

well we talked about this specific passage from the bible just one week ago in school.

to sum up what my teacher told us:
it is all about escalation. the "turn your other cheek" part is a way to prevent a situation from escalating. so someone punshed u into your face and the best way to stop things from getting out of control is to "turn the other cheek". if the other person continues to punsh u, jesus says you've got the right right to fight back.
same goes for the "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" part. back in the day it was an accepted way of dealing with problems. example: someone broke u an arm, so u had the right to break him an arm and after that the "fight" is done.

remember thats the interpretation according to my teacher (i tried to sum it up the best way i understood it)

 

[Bender]

Hey everyone, I noticed that alot of christians i know fight alot and dont back down from fights. i also understand that jesus thought to turn the other cheek. I dont understand why they do this. Do you turn the other cheek? if not please explain.

thx amara for letting me edit :thumb:

I think there are a lot more important lessons to learn in Christianity than not to fight others. It would depend on your intentions.

I read the Bible and have come across a passage that condones fighting. If it comes to me I will add it later.

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

there is option of forgiveness should you ask for it. It is not so much as a law because the belief is that the Lord is merciful and willing to forgive our sins.

Yeah some Christians believe that when The Rapture kicks in all non-believers will be left here &/or die unless you admit your sins & ask for forgiveness.

More radical Christians believe you will not be granted forgiveness if you just ask for it at the end & that you will actually suffer a painful death & eternal damnation.

So merciful....

 

[Jahfo]

I noticed something, if anybody else noticed, why are Christians always given high expectations? When a Christian does something wrong its like they're evil people, corrupting the world, creator of all our problems, and what have you not. Its like Christians have to be perfectly good people which I believe completely contradicts the idealogy of what Christianity really is. When a Muslim or a Jew does something wrong within their faith it's not as big of a deal when a Christian does it. Nobody follows their religion word for word in todays world. My point is, why would you persecute someone who you know will never come to perfection of your expectation? (i.e. No human being is perfect in this world even if they are religious.)

 

[Mr Marz]

i am christian but do not go to church or have much christian beliefs. i believe in god but do not follow any specific religion. ive dont back down from fights and ive never been afraid to open my mouth. i guess this is an extreme response but ill get to the point. people take and accept what they want, be it from religion, philosophy or any outlook on life. it isnt the morals you are taught and inherit, but the values you accept and abide by. just because i am roman catholic doesnt mean i got to church every sunday.

 

[TecK NeeX]

When a Muslim or a Jew does something wrong within their faith it's not as big of a deal when a Christian does it. Nobody

you cant be so wrong on this, these days islam is being blamed for everything a muslim does. it even went as far as making a segment on pretty much all american news networks called "is islam evil?' just after 9/11

 

[Jahfo]

you cant be so wrong on this, these days islam is being blamed for everything a muslim does. it even went as far as making a segment on pretty much all american news networks called "is islam evil?' just after 9/11

Yes, these days. But what about all those other days? That is wrong right there to judge Islam for its people but what I'm trying to get at is how Christians have an expectation to always be all perfectly good and when they are not they are questioned. Islam is not in the same criteria because Islam is not so widespread as Christianity and many people don't even know what Islam is about. Everybody knows what Christianity is about, the basis of it, Jesus, and everything. So why is the question kadafifatal asked about Chrisitians of any signifiance? Why is it so important about Christians not turning the other cheek? Now lets say Muslims (not trying to jump on Muslims, dont know if you really are but making a point) are not thaught to turn the other cheek, Christians are. Now why would a person question a teaching of Christianity about turning the other cheek and not question a teaching of where it tells you not to. They say two wrongs don't make a right. So now if you were not to question Islam which is okay not to turn the other cheek, why would you question Christians when they don't? So to me to sum it up, you would have to question both Islam and Christianity at the same time. There are so many instances of situtations like this but for some reason Christianity jumps to the topic of discussion. These are just a few questions that comes to mind.

(No offense kadafifatal, if any taken)

 

[Amara]

I noticed something, if anybody else noticed, why are Christians always given high expectations? When a Christian does something wrong its like they're evil people, corrupting the world, creator of all our problems, and what have you not. Its like Christians have to be perfectly good people which I believe completely contradicts the idealogy of what Christianity really is.

I don't know what type of Christianity you are familiar with, but having gone to a lutheran high school, I was told on a daily basis that God does not expect us to be perfect - we are sinners, we are full of flaws and imperfections, we make mistakes - the message was, however, that god loves us inspite of that and is willing to forgive us, should we let him into our lives and have faith.

Islam is not in the same criteria because Islam is not so widespread as Christianity and many people don't even know what Islam is about. Everybody knows what Christianity is about, the basis of it, Jesus, and everything.

No, that is entirely subjective, based on where you are from - your country, your social and religious environment. Islam is widespread, yet for the most part, people in western societies such as mine do not get the opportunity to learn about it even though it is a part of our social fabric.

 

[Tupac-Soulja]

i use to be christian..but i stopped believing cause i found out its stupid how a book could control your life IMO....some christians dont turn the other cheek...cause its unatural for a person not to fight back..i guess lets say its just a reaction people have...so yea its like thou shal not kill blah blah...but yet you see christians killing people youknowwhatimean?

 

[Jahfo]

^^^That kind of stuff is exactly what I mean!!!

 

[Jahfo]

some christians dont turn the other cheek...cause its unatural for a person not to fight back..i guess lets say its just a reaction people have...

Ok, so... if it is not natural like you said (I believe it is a choice)... why you gonna go and say this...

so yea its like thou shal not kill blah blah...but yet you see christians killing people youknowwhatimean?

So why does it matter if Christians do it if it is unnatural like you said for a human being to fight back? So it is not Christianity thats killing people it is the human being.

 

[Tupac-Soulja]

Amara like what you wrote "God does not expect us to be perfect - we are sinners, we are full of flaws and imperfections, we make mistakes - the message was, however, that god loves us inspite of that and is willing to forgive us, should we let him into our lives and have faith." if god does truely loves us why does he not answer my prayers and other people's prayers?...i guess that is the main reason i gave up on the lord...but can you blame me? Thats the thing i know god puts us where we belong and he tests us to have faith in him/her whatever no matter what happens...i tried to have faith but i guess it wasnt strong enough for me to keep on having faith on someone who you can't even see or talk to, and when i mean talk to i mean it as in face to face not by praying to him.