Just remember: forgiveness does not mean reconciliation. Reconciliation requires the other party to renounce their transgression - to rebuke their past choices.
I think another interesting factor is when we turn the cheek and do not give into the other persons hatred or violence, it shows a complete control over ourselves. I know so many people who have gotten into horrible situations by engaging in fights with people as a means of pride, whereas if they walked away their lives would have been better.
Pride comes before the fall into accepting wickedness and destruction as tools to fix perceived injustices. Be tempered by humility and ask yourself if this is how you would like to be treated or if perhaps there is a better way. Often one man's version of justice is another's injustice which leads to a cycle of vengeance. Remember that it is easier to commit acts of hate and violence upon people seen as inhuman, and you would also become less human in their eyes as a result.
Unless your like me where if someone does something unjust towards me and i take the higher ground and not exact a just response, i feel i imparted upon them a mercy they did not deserve. I may be able to brush it off in the short or long run but until i do my mind will rage with a tempest of all the horrible ways i wish i could have punished them. My fear is one day the offence will be too great and i will not be able to stay my hand, but if that day comes i will at least be certain they both earned it and deserved it.
This is an interesting interpretation of that instruction, to turn the other cheek. I wish it was taught to me in my Catholic upbringing because the message I got was to be a doormat and keep forgiving bad behavior without demanding that it stop.
There is always more than one understanding of ANY historical texts, so the idea that we always 'misunderstood' that saying is a bit much. What it should say is here's ANOTHER way of understanding it, not "here's what it ACTUALLY meant" because there is of course no way of understanding that. Jesus went so far as to almost willingly get nailed to a cross without much fuss, and said to forgive the people who did it to him, thats clearly doormat material. The question would be NOW, is that narrative more powerful or less if the story of Jesus was "and then our lord was dragged kicking and screaming and throwiing rocks and sand at his accusers and damning them and making a heroic last stand but then was overcome and nailed to a cross".
@@mikearchibald744 thats completely different. Jesus was not a doormat. He is the apex of the spirituality path. So, as when facing something/some end that cannot be avoided or where you can not do something to change your future, he will of course accept it as it is. Nothing can be done. The words "forgive them because they dont know what they are doing" are some powerful words if you dig in them... not the same, AT ALL, as someone messing with you over something and your answer rather than you standing your ground and confronting the person verbally to make your point/ defend yourself, is you just accepting everything and saying "yes people keep doing me bad things I forgive you" to everyone...
Forgiveness necessarily requires injustice. Maybe you're projecting when you say that in injustice, only hate can grow. Because you're bad at forgiving people.
@@drangus3468 I live in a land that has suffered the scourge of terrorism for a long time, young people became terrorists because of the injustices suffered, the victims of these acts also immersed themselves in hatred. The only way to break the circle is justice for both sides.
@@sardodakota7488 I don't think retributive justice breaks the cycle of hatred, it only perpetuates it. Where there is a long history of violence, there is always going to be some injustice that goes punished. Always. So if both sides demand justice and refuse to let these things go, there can never be peace between them.
That isn't to say there aren't cases where one side is clearly in the wrong. But even in those cases, let's not pretend that justice is about forgiveness.
@@drangus3468 justice does not necessarily break the cycle, but it certainly facilitates it. I have seen cases in which a victim forgives the murderer of a loved one but always after the perpetrator apologizes. The forgiveness that comes from the heart can hardly make its way without retribution.
This has been one of my favorite of Jesus’ teachings. I’ve always taken it to be about balance. Not letting someone knock you off yours, wether they strike you, steal from you, or ask you to do more than you’re willing. \
In Roman times, you were struck with the back of the hand by masters, and by the front hand by equals. Jesus was saying, if someone back hands you, change your stance so to force him to slap you with the front of his hand. As an equal. to retain your dignity.
The essense of "turn the other cheek" is Don't Be Quick To Take Offense. If someone bumps into you in a crowd, don't punch him in the face. Turn the other cheek. If he meant to hit you, he'll do b it again, if it was an accident, he won't. Then there are people out there who are just as eager as can be to take offense, even on behalf of other people. Even if no offense was intended, just to they can "strike back." Turn the other cheek means don't be that way
I'm an atheist but I noticed a thought experiment. The idea is that violence is so pervasive that even if god himself is powerless against it. Your opponents are desperate to win a game that has no score.
It's when Justice becomes Blame which becomes primarily about Resentment that we lose our way. Forgiveness and by extension love is to recognize another human; to recognize their weakness and their vulnerabilities. To forgive is to recognize that all humans are imperfect. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting but rather about allowing the event or pain to pass while retaining the relationship. It's to say that while you cannot accept the pain, you will still accept the person. After forgiveness justice becomes about cleaning up the consequences in an often boring and methodical manor. Justice should be about fairness and law, not resentment and revenge.
@J Yes that's true, but we all must work hard to avoid creating an "us and them" scenario. There is no us and them, there is just us. Every single human is flawed and continually makes mistakes and hurts the people around them all the time. That's simply how primitive we all still are. You can only minimize the harm you do, not eliminate it. That said, not all relationships are ment to last. So, ending a relationship can be helpful. There's a different kind of forgiveness to have there, that's the "I'll let go of the hurt you've caused me, but I can't keep you in my life." The most important thing is to forgive and to let go of hate and resentment. Not for the benefit of others but for your own mental health. Hate and resentment are a kind of poison which harm the person who holds them.
@@jimmytimmy3680 not looking for an argument and not judging. I’ll just leave my comment for your consideration and move on prior to some troll coming which as you know will undoubtedly happen. There is so much hate on all sides so I usually tune out. Thoughts like yours were ones I thought about as well as I reasoned my way to Jesus being who he says he was. Very important questions to answer during a solid spiritual journey. Jesus was born to poor Aramaic speaking Mom (and Foster Dad Joseph) but travelled to Egypt until Herod died. Herod was trying to kill Jesus. That aside Jesus demonstrated an ability to speak Ancient Hebrew as he read in the temple. Languages and knowledge of ancient scripture that he demonstrated seems like a norm today but not so much back then. One would have to study - in the temple as scripture (say from prophet Isaiah 700 years before) would have only been held in temples…ie no Google Wikipedia as we know. Thing is when Jesus came into these temples no one knew who he was. He appeared out of nowhere to these people (the ones that would have had to teach him the language and scripts). Anyhow that was something I thought about on my journey, there are many other thoughts that got answered as I read and looked for truths etc… came at it with an open heart and mind. So travelling the Silk Road for a poverty stricken Hebrew is not likely. The world hated Jews back then too. As far as it being alike Buddha etc, yes of course. What’s true is true regardless. God speaks to all his children with truths. He plants these seeds of truth within us all. Buddha was born about 800 - 1000 years after the commandments and the laws which Jesus based his teaching on. Yes you could argue that the commandments were adapted from earlier systems but not the ones regarding divinity. Dig at the commandments and see how much better they make life if we follow. Gods’ not an egomaniac, he knows we need solid structure and one leader who by his nature can’t lie. Jesus is the salt in that equation. He clarifies expectations and simplified. Jesus is God showing us exactly how to act. Don’t for a second think that I believe all others are damned, believe that I believe Jesus to be the focal point of truth - God on earth, a father showing the kids what he wants. We have failed miserably but that’s another story as you well know but, also a truth with the state of the world today. I was never ever a reader of the Bible but, I dug at it during a journey, was spoken to by God and didn’t look back. Good luck on your journey!!!! We all want there to be a God! Jesus is not the bad actions of his followers and the earth is a garden for a soul. Whatever you believe I send you my love and wish you well. It’s all real but, I completely understand why people don’t believe. There is more anecdotal and written evidence for an after life than not. To the point if it were any other topic there wouldn’t be much an argument. Very telling.
Regardless of it being any kind of religion, the right morality will always be the one that wise people carried. Jesus and Siddartha are both wise, they understand the world better than the many therefore it is not simply a coincidence that their wisdom have commons, it is because their wisdom contained the right morality.
2:48 turn the other cheek means to boldly stand your ground. Never allow someone to strike you twice (once on each cheek). AMAZING - Never understood this before. So grateful for your insights. I feel much better now.
Seeking an honest answer here, how does one never allow someone to strike them twice? If I demonstrate I will not backdown, but I also will not retaliate, how am I to stop an enemy from striking me a second time? I feel the turn the other cheek approach is predicated on the belief that an enemy will be enlightened, find morality, or otherwise change through internal reflection. I don’t think it always works well in practice. The alternative is certainly not better and just leads to escalations. As he said, an eye for an eye leads to blindness. I wish it were simpler. It would make my life much better.
@@reid8588 It's a metaphor, the Bible is full of them. It's about when people do you wrong or sin in some way. People are wrong to read this literally, just like with spare the Rod isn't talking about a literal Rod. When people actually read and study the whole Bible all of these things are made clear.
This video came at the right time because while I’ve always had a good head on my shoulders and been pretty stoic my whole life one moment recently has me fighting with myself about whether an action I want to take is for justice or for revenge. I don’t wish to cause underserved or even deserved harm
I simply would like to know if the person that has committed so many horrible acts to a friend of mine feels any remorse and is on a changed path or is simply sweeping it under the rug potentially causing future harm to others.
Thank you for this interpretation! I have often struggled with this concept in a number of ways. I've tried to teach my children this point, to stand up to aggressors, but it was difficult to explain how it was not a "dumb thing to do" but that this was the part of life that calls for honor and courage. What increased the difficulty of this were other adults (teachers, ect.) who insisted that they "run away" from the issue. Once again, thank you for sharing these wonderful insights!
@@User-q6x3b Romans 13:4 " For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Exodus 22:2-3 (NIV): "If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed."
@@User-q6x3b Jesus and Peter was different beacuse Jesus was supposed to be captured and die for our sins. and I wonder why his disciples carried swords. When Paul talked to soldiers he never said to them to lay down their arms.
@@User-q6x3b turning the other cheek is more like when u are not put in danger. in Jesus 2nd coming he will lead an army of humans to destroy the anti christ
@@User-q6x3b evil with evil is like if one side rapes and kills civilians and if you respond with evil you attack their civilians aswell. evil with good is when evil attacks civilians but good protect civilians and attacks the people who attacked the civilians and not attacking other civilians
As someone who always had to forgive their perpetrators to me it was an enormous act of free will to NOT forgive them anymore. Because they didn't stop after I'd turned the cheek. They hit me twice, they hit me again and again. And finally - as I managed to walk away - they hit someone else. Leaving me with the knowledge that I only passed this on to another human being.
So true. I was bullied mercilessly as a nerd in a high school where jocks were the heroes, and a small group of thugs looked for lunch money and compliance to feel equal and buy their surfboards. They see tolerance as weakness, and just don't quit.
Turning the other cheek is EVIL not punishing evil means allowing it to be evil, it means you are complicit in the evil, non violence is fundamentally evil
You bring up a really valid point that is played out again and again , that bullies and thugs see goodness as weakness. If you don't hit them back, they just hit you again and smirk in your face and add insult to injury. That is why this is probably the least taught scripture in the Bible and certainly one of the most ignored. Say it to most Christians, they laugh at you. They'd rather buy guns.
@@tthomas184 It's not about me. It's about the next person who falls prey to the perpetrator. Imagine leaving your child, wife, mother, dear friend to face them, because of your decision to turn the cheek? Is that okay? I think it's not. That does not mean I will counter violence with violence, but they'll have to pay a price.
@@gabrielefried3853 That's generally the reason they'll give for buying guns...self defense, which is generally understood to include wife, children, family. You're right to point it out since I didn't explicitly mention it. Of course violent thugs were hardly unknown in Jesus day, being under Roman occupation they probably occurred daily., not to mention human nature everywhere.
I believe the main reason people don't turn the other cheek is due to the fact that it requires strength and a considerable level of self control. Submitting to stubborn pride, and the desire to seek satisfaction through confrontation is often times a sign of weakness. Don't be weak, self control is super sexy!
@J But you don’t repay evil with evil. You repay evil with good, and with righteous self-defence. There is no need to keep the wolf at bay with malice in your heart. You needn’t beat him or tease him, or lay a trap that mutilates him. You simply show force, out of self-love, and the desire to protect the innocent and the good, yourself included. If the wolf returns, emboldened or unassailed by your previous demonstration, reality suggests your efforts weren’t enough. When our strategies fail us, is it not foolish to blithely repeat them? Is this not stubbornness, to failed principle? And is it really strength which causes us to turn from violence? Or is it fear? Perhaps what we think of in ourselves as good is really fear: fear of pain, violence, and death. Perhaps our refraining from violence is born from a fear of its enactment against us, rather than from a love of peace and human fellow-feeling. The wolf doesn’t care if you turn the cheek. He will maul you just the same. And when a strategy fails, we try something else.
People don't turn the other cheek, because it's a signal for a bully or any other violent man, that it's ok for you, and he can use you to let off his steam, or just for fun, whenever he wants. Trust me, I followed this nonsense before, and I know.
I'm over 50 years old and _still_ cannot get over how unfair life is. I've always wanted and needed fairness, but it's taken me decades to realize unfairness is just a part of life and I'm not required to like it. (I finally, recently discovered my MBTI personality and boy is that answering so many questions I've had about myself. And my obsession with fairness is just a part of my rare personality. Discovering I'm not crazy, just special, has helped a lot!)
Just by having survived to 50, having access to the internet and knowing how to read and write means that you (and I) are some of the luckiest few people on the planet. Yes life is unfair and we are the lucky lucky ones who have a voice.
No one is special. Everyone is special. Heres a mindbender for your discovery of self pleasuring uniqueness.. Your personality type.. changes. So are you special now. But not before.. Or average now with special in the future. Pride will destroy objectively answering. Peace, love, exstacy, unity, respect. Paul
That's an interesting interpretation of "turn the other cheek". I agree Jesus is saying "Justice is not enough", more telling is "let those who have never sin cast the first stone". We need empathy, love and forgiveness to triumph over our righteous indignation!
I would argue absolute faith is the expression of righteous indignation at the possibility of humankind OUTGROWING the rigid modes of violent justice that faith imbues in all nations
@tos100returnsIs it a problem or is it by design? Are the different denominations all wrong, or are at least some of them part of the message? Much of what Jesus spoke was in parables, riddles and enigmas, and it requires the aid of the holy Spirit and teamwork to read, interpret and obey.
Very powerful, did not expect that from a religious leader. The impression that I have had from modern American Christianity is that justice essentially means punishment and vigilantism ("Showing them bad guys!!"). Including support for the death penalty.
I completely disagree, his sense of Justice comes from the bible or Jesus and the bible says many things even avocats aggression. I am glad he understands that being confrontational without being violent is good. But the bible isn't the first or most important source of reasoning, anyone can come to this conclusion with logic.
Not impress. Christianity is as nasty since it started. Germany has Hitler and where is this justice? America have its slavery and nuclear, where is the justice. I rejected Jesus. He simply died and didn't die for anyone's sin. I can easily find inspiration from Buddhism and others.
@@MrGreen-sw1ly What you need is to understand the basic tenets of Christianity i.e the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and not the lives of imperfect Christians. I've seen a lot of people who rejected Christianity not really because they understood it but because of how terrible Christians can be and I understand that, (after all some of the terrible people we have in government today call themselves Christians) but it's really not a good reason to reject Christianity or to think it's nasty. It is just like rejecting Islam simply because some people who call themselves Muslims turned out to be Terrorists.
This enlightened message is very much needed now as tensions of hostility are accelerating. I see justice as actually a Divine force that views all of creation as worthy of being preserved and not harmed. It is the return of reverence and respect for the value of existence. Punitive justice is a human rendition that attempts( and often fails) to keep a semblance of order in chaos. Anyone who loves deeply understands the restorative aspect of compassion which actually establishes the balance of peace.
I completely disagree with your suggestion that Justice is divine. Justice is simply accountability for everyone because we all know and experience the same harm or pain to different or various degree. This understanding doesn't come from god or the bible but part of our nature to reduce harm in this world.
We all do have the right to seek retribution against those who harm us. What is presented as "Justice" is more often privately funded and also state sponsored opression against poor powerless people, people rendered poor and thus powerless by wealthy and powerful groups of private individuals and by state institutions. Corporate executives constantly get away with commiting crimes against humanity and the earth whilst enjoying protection by the state, the banks, the media and the judicial/legal system.
It’s good to have this kind of self control. The frustration is when it does not work. When you are in a situation where contact with the other person is inevitable unless and until one of you goes away. Some people never learn what they are doing is wrong, for many different reasons. With the only option in those cases often being to leave the situation, this feels very unsatisfactory. People who constantly cause harm in this world, but do so in such a manner where it typically is not illegal, we see more and more of this in the world around us. With seemingly no advice other than “turning the other cheek,” society continues to degenerate. This seems intrinsically related to the lessening of local communities and the increase in individualization. These teachings do not work in a more individualized society.
Nope. It's keeping your stand, look em at the eye, and say "The next time you do that again, is over my dead body". It's not running. Like a coward? It's not punching back agitately. An eye for an eye makes everyone blind. It's keeping your cool, your calmness, your tranquility. Like a Jedi, like Superman, like Kenshin the Samurai, like Jesus!
“Render to each his due”. I love that he prefaced that with the problem is “hyper stress on justice”. Perhaps he’s projecting a fear of what “due” his religion has coming? The sword is the law and it will get us somewhere good.
As a pretty devout athiest, this is a great interpretation of the verse. Don't back down, stand your ground and show the world who is the true aggressor. Obviously I believe there are exceptions where retaliation is necessary. Also, this is by no means an objective interpretation.
I was always taught that, at the time, the Romans could only strike you once, after which it was considered assault and they could get in trouble for it So turning the other cheek was a rebellious act as they knew they couldn’t hit them again without consequence 🤷
@@marcblank3036 This was amongst free people, not slaves I don’t necessarily think it was true, it’s just what i was told. Hence the 🤷 symbol We don’t even know who wrote the gospel of Matthew, so none of it could be true 🤷 😂
@@EverythingCameFromNothing Roman citizens were the only people with good rights. All the rest of Europe not so much. As you know the Roman empire was rather large. If you want to be specific, do so in the first place, it helps
@@marcblank3036 oh, sorry for not being more specific, i thought it was obvious the bible was for free people, not slaves, otherwise it would’ve said slavery was wrong, instead of setting out the rules for slave ownership and telling slaves to obey their masters 🤷
These are your brothers and sisters and this is how you treat them, they need guidance and education, support and direction, we need to show them a path to freedom and prosperity while accepting they are human and will learn and grow, fail and thrive. I am ashamed to be human in its current state while humbled by the love I have found in my life with chronic pain, it amazes me how this duality can exist.
I still don't understand the teaching. It seems to me today that people see striking YOU down as an active good. If you turn the other cheek, that means they need to hit you with their car!!! When we live in a time where people actively plot the assassination of police officers and judges, use explosives on peoples residences and businesses. Kill business owners who try to protect their property and who say to themselves.i did this to get back what was taken from my ancestors that YOU stole!!! What is the message? If YOU are a cock sucking racist motherfucker who should be killed, when you turn the other cheek it is to receive the baseball bat. Afterward out allies will get us out of prison. It was necessary.
You described the teaching “Take up your cross and follow me.” And “I seek to give you life and give it abundantly.” These are two seemingly dualistic statements but really are not. Sharing in the passion of God, for love of God and our neighbors, means we are participating with God in the act of redemption. This brings true peace and joy to the heart.
End of the day we can and MUST defend ourselves and others, but that's in severe, serious scenarios, and we must conduct ourselves well and be careful, even then!
A great vid for reflecting on how to navigate this world, so tainted by conflict and evil, and trying to do right without falling in a kind of mentality where righteousness and the desire to bring justice by retribution often actually just plays right into the cycles of violence, intolerance and petty score settling. When the desire for justice goes stray it has lead and will keep leading something noble into some very dark places: lynchings, executions, violent imposition of ideals, 'with us or against us' mentality and so on. It's a double challenge: opposing evil whilst also making an effort to never lose touch with our guiding principles, like mercy and compassion, that preserve and elevate our search of justice
“Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
If somebody took things you said out of context, without caring to investigate what you truly meant or said, in order to mischaracterize you, you would not enjoy it much. It’s important to grant this benefit of the doubt to others then.
Is it strange that after four decades of life I almost feel like I’m missing out on something by never having engaged in a fight? I have talked my way out of one or two, and recently simply refused to engage in another fight someone tried to initiate. There was no good reason for it and I didn’t see it doing more positive than negative, even though this guy was absolutely someone I would have loved to punch in the face. My inflated sense of empathy can be extremely frustrating at times. Especially when I actually want to be angry with somebody, but a part of me can also totally relate to their point of view.
From what I’ve seen, most demands of justice are precisely as he recommends. They stand their ground, and demand to be seen. Yet, when injustice is structural and ongoing, symbolism and mercy can function as release valve for resisting real change. I am still haunted by the dignified and compliant response of the Jewish people in Nazis Germany. Of course, they did not know their eventual fate, but when they still had agency they did not resist injustice because they could not imagine the depths of evil they confronted. And in thinking about justice, we should consider which changes happened in history without violence and revolt?
I think this argument against a "hyperstress on justice" is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what most people mean when they talk about justice. Today, in our social justice movements, the focus is on restorative justice, not the punitive, retributive form that occupies history. It's based on a recognition that what has allowed so many forms of suffering and unfairness to continue for so long is due to a lack of the right kind of justice. Historically, justice has been Hammurabic, you lose a hand or an eye for your injuries to another, restorative justice is based on the idea that justice can heal society. Restorative justice is merciful and centers laying the groundwork for forgiveness. You cite Martin Luther King but he spoke out in support of this kind of forgiveness, he compared injustice to being stabbed in the back and he said that pulling the knife out is not justice, just like stabbing the person who stabbed you isn't justice. Healing, dressing the wound is and addressing social inequities is not like taking a sword to another, it's taking a wrench to the system that allowed the injustice to come about. Additionally, the words and philosophy of King have been watered down and pacified. Martin Luther King was a radical and his position on violence and nonviolence is so heavily misrepresented. Part of his argument wasn't that violent protest was wrong or immoral but rather that it was less effective, in his later years he actually went back on this and recognised the necessity and moral justification of violent protest in addressing social inequities.
I completely agree with you, Justice has but three components: Protection, Privention and Accountability. The most spoken of are Protection (law enforcement) and Prevention (the writing of laws and regulations) but Accountability (the assessment of damage and consequences) has a bigger impact retroactively and the future. It is simply put the standard bar with which tolerance is measured.
I don't this it's a coincidence that a catholic priest would prefer if retribution wasn't a thing, given all the attrocities commited by said church they've never delivered retribution on.
There's also transformative justice which is seeking to further temper even Restorative justice. Restorative doesn't always work (let's say, a rapist just doesn't show up to trial and flees the country); we need a way for victims to move on despite possibly never getting actual restoration. And yes, this is also a total misrepresentation of King's words, I agree. This guy's opinion is sketchy. Not that he has like, bad motivation, it's just sketchy in the sense that white people have sketchy, watered down views on history.
@@patrickdallaire5972 They also did a lot of good - for example up until 20ieth century Vatican was the biggest sponsor of Medical studies and biological science - despite what mass media would want you to believe. I am speaking as a scientist, not as a christian - I am not a fan of abrahamic religions, but you gotta give them credit where credit is due. The idea that a human life is worth something in the west comes solely from the abrahamic religions. Sciences are just a direct product of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. We are where we are because of them, both in a bad sense and in a good one. Don't portray Catholicism as evil. It is just a human endeavour, it did a lot of harm, but it also did a lot of good. Humans are imperfect monkeys, Catholicism is just a human thing, not angelic, but also not demonic.
@@jcoludar Even *if* the catholic church did good more good things than bad overall, it remains that they didn't pay fot their crimes. The idea that a the life of individual of our own species has value is probably far older than religion, heck even humanity itself. Our ancestors had empathy and compassion for one another long before they had words to describe it. You're giving the catholic church too much credit, IMO.
I was both delighted to see the title of this video, as I have thought about the meaning of the teaching myself and thought it misunderstood, and also by the viewpoint expressed here about what you are doing when you turn back to the person who struck you and showed the other cheek (I also agree with the statement that justice must be tempered with mercy and forgiveness); however I don't believe he's continuing with the interpretation of the concept. I believe it means that if you have not gotten through to your fellow man by standing firm and not punking out like a coward or weak in the Spirit and therefore lacking resolution, which would merely embolden all those of like disposition, and yet he is still blind to your strength and honour in the willingness to forgive with love that first undeserved blow and the OTHER cheek he then strikes, well - then he must be chastised by your own hands until he is no longer a threat (by this I do not mean gross and wrathful violence, not at all; I am simply acknowledging the necessity that some must be given notice that unprovoked violence in any form is not allowable and that his power was illusory). And then, in compassion reach down to him/her and offer your hand to help him/her up and show Love in the knowledge that forgiveness is not a thing he/she must accept from you but that you shall give it no matter what. And thus can even the bullies and ones whom prey upon others be shown that compassion and love ARE strength and mightiest where not used to punish but to forgive. (Except those who harm children and those who kill people for joy; they're not human just.....good at pretence)
It is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, but I have managed to forgive my ex-wife who had sex with other men. We did have 2 kids together, and this was my main motivation for doing so. But after I was able to truly forgive her,an indescribable peace came upon me.
If justice is so fundamental, why is it so god damn expensive and why is there such a huge treshold ? Real justice is constantly being withold from the common people…
I always viewed turning the other cheek as meaning to expose hatred and violence in on itself, so that not only the world will see who the culprit is but also the instigator can see for himself who is on the wrong side. I like the use of the word mirroring. It's very appropriate here. I wish this was taught everywhere. It's a very humanist approach and not at all a religious doctrine.
@@JoseppiAJ I have no idea how the good Bishop has failed in regards to victims of child abuse. I don't know the guy. I don't know his history with regards to the role of Catholic priests and the victims of child abuse. My comment, the one that you seem to have taken issue with, was my acknowledgment that the good Bishop probably wouldn't want to take this conversation on the chosen subject in the direction of child abuse perpetrated by Catholic priests with the knowledge of high ranking Catholic officials at the Vatican. Does that make sense to you sir?
@@JoseppiAJ every Catholic wants Justice for the victims of sexual abuse? That's a mighty fine limb you're going out on. Has every Catholic pounded their fists on the table demanding Justice for the victims? Perhaps in their heart of hearts they have.
What I don't get is - Jesus asks us to forgive our tormentors, but for even small transgressions like calling another 'a fool' or for not accepting him, he will put us in hell for eternity. Why?
I have heard further cultural context to this teaching as well. Apparently in the ancient near east you would strike someone with a back-hand across the face to show contempt, and since they only used a single hand for their work and the other to be kept clean for eating etc, to turn your cheek was to invite a punch not a slap. It also communicated: fight me as an equal.
Only out of strength turning the other cheek is justifiable . We could strike out but do not. Out of weakness turning the other cheek is just empty pathos. We can not act so we do not act.
So many communities have done so much harm to one another through the ages that "Eye for an eye" justice would mean extinction. Only forgiveness will break the cycle.
its the same principle as all religious teaches it means to turn cheek and look within and when you find gratitude compassion and joy inside. then where are your enemies? it doesnt share same space as anger revenge and hate.
@@Chokken97 psychology religion and science speaks are very similar ego sub conscious your lower self and holy spirit higher self source energy. all speaking of the same principle turn the other cheek thats the way i took the meaning all up to interpretation
This coincides with Confucius's teaching in the Analects 14.34: "repay resentment with virtue, how would that be?" Confucius answered "with what then would you repay virtue? Repay resentment with straightforwardness, repay virtue with virtue."（《憲問第十四·第卅四章》或曰：「以德報怨，何如？」子曰：「何以報德？以直報怨，以德報德。」）
I think of the scene in "To Kill A Mockingbird" where Atticus reacts to being struck in the face. There's something powerful in his non-violent response...
Bishop Barron: Being a practitioner of _ahimsa,_ I listened to your argument with some interest. The wild card, so to speak, that immediately comes to mind is the assumption the 'evildoer' is sane in the sense of being able to personally feel empathy, guilt and shame. To turn the other cheek is a valuable exercise when done mentally, especially when combined with _vairagya,_ but if the not-sane person is harmful to others, he must be stopped (lawfully). It is useful to note PET scans reveal most sociopaths and psychopaths have damaged or poorly developed prefrontal cortex areas (anterior cingulate & ventromedial prefrontal cortices). They can imitate acceptable morality, but not entirely have it.
I respect that and understand to some degree why answering violence with violence is sometimes not the right call. But there are many many situations I don't think I or many would think converting or loving or forgiving the enemy would do right by us ,there maybe no sins God can't forgive but we are but man with many ties with loved ones
I'm the kind of person that is easy to take advantage of. Needless to say, I've amassed quite a long list of people that have burned this bridge and people I often wish to seek revenge upon. But what I want MORE than revenge, or knowing they received their karma, is _NOT needing_ revenge. I think I'd be in a better place if I didn't feel the _need_ for revenge. Luckily, I'm a _Master_ Procrastinator, so I just procrastinate long enough and eventually all the stupid stuff just goes away. It works wonders! (It doesn't work on important stuff, such as responsibilities, but there really aren't that many of those, compared to all the unimportant things.)
I've see Robert before in other venues... Interesting guy. Untempered Justice is just an eye for an eye - and as Ghandi said until the whole world is blind. You don't need Gods and demons to personify good and evil. These concepts only live in the hearts of men.
Stand your ground is still meeting aggression with aggression. I think “turn the other cheek” means to always turn to love. Martin Luther King demonstrated that principle with non-violent protests.
After 2000 years of wreaking havoc upon this world, now that the Catholic Church is finally vulnerable to valid and well-deserved criticism and backlash, we have a video from this priest exhorting us to be merciful.
Justice, Biblically, is a matter to be left to government. Never is justice to be dealt by the individual to an individual enemy. That way lies feuds and community violence. This is why we have government. To judge between parties at odds. On a personal level, to refuse to lash back is an act of faith. Faith in God, that He will watch out for you, and will right all wrongs. To fight back is then an act of unbelief.
I believe turning the cheek meant to force anyone treating you as a subordinate to treat you as an equal. It was a figure of speech. In Roman society, you didn't touch people with your left hand, as that was the dirty hand. Roman soldiers slapped down jews and other supposed lower people on their right cheek with the back of their hand as a form of discipline. Slave owners did the same to their slaves etc. However, if there were conflicts with other Roman citizens or other equals, striking them in the same manner would be illegal. You would be required to punch them with your right fist of smack them with your right palm. If a supposed subordinate turned their cheek, one striking them wouldn't be able to strike their right cheek with the back of their hand. Thus, not allowing them to treat you as a lower class
Revenge is a natural human response to being wronged, & people who often say turn the other cheek or whatever Holier-than-thou phrase they wanna use are often the biggest Hypocrites.
POR K🤔NZEKUENZIA EREZ AUTOKONPLAZIENTE MIENTRAZ PONEZ TU VENGANZA EN PRAKTIKAZ EZTERILEZ & AUTOJUZTIFIKADAZ ATRAVEZ DE TUZ AKTOZ MIEZTRAZ TE PONEZ LAZ MULTIPLEZ MAZKARAZ KE TUZ PROPIOZ INKONMENZURAVLEZ EGOZ DIZFRAZAN KOMO ZENZATEZ KIZAZ POR KE ATRAVEZ DE EZTAZ ENKUENTRAZ LAZ EXKUZAZ NEZEZARIAZ PARA JAMAZ ZENTIR TUZ KULPAZ POR NO ZER MAZ KE LOZ REFLEJOZ LAZERANTEZ DE TUZ PROPIAZ EH INFINITAZ IKNORANZIAZ: PUEZ VERDAD ZIN FALZEDAD ALGUNA ZERA TAN ZIERTA KOMO VERDADERA POR KONZEKUENZIA VERDAD ZIN MENTIRA EZ TAN ZIERTA TANTO KOMO LO EZ KORREKTA KUANDO PARA ELLO HAY KE ZAVER PROZEDER AH ELLO POR TANTO AKONTINUAZION & EN RAPIDA ZUZEZION TODA LAZ VERDADEZ AH MEDIAZ NO ZON MAZ KE TUZ MENTIRAZ DIZFRAZADAZ DE 1NAZ VUENAZ INTENZIONEZ POR ENDE EZTAZ EN ZI MIZMAZ ZI ZON 1NAZ VERDADERAZ HIPOKREZIAZ PUEZ TU TERGIVERZAZ LOZ KONTEXTOZ KON 1NAZ OPTUZAZ & APZURDAZ REZPUEZTAZ: DE MANERA PUEZ ZI DEZEAIZ ZER KOMO LAZ ROZAZ ZUTILIZAZ LAZ ALMAZ DE TUZ ZEMEJANTEZ KON TUZ OVRAZ ZI DEZEAIZ ZER ZETOZ DE EZPINAZ LAZERARAZ AH LAZ & LOZ DEMAZ POR TUZ FORMAZ TAN VAZIAZ & RETROGRADAZ DE NARZIZIZMOZ...
I think that’s what Jesus was acknowledging. It’s a teaching that says please consider a new response beyond the ‘natural’ inclination of fight or flight. Instead of running away from conflict or answering it with mirrored violence, consider an alternative solution that opens the door to change. Get out of our predictable ‘natural’ behavioral patterns and see what else is possible. See Marcus Aurelius’ observations on anger and revenge for all he said on the subject for instance. “How much more harmful are the consequences of anger…than the circumstances that aroused them in us.”
Often one becomes blinded by revenge and make choices with out forethought. Regrets often develop much later in life. Sometimes the one who wronged you is acting out of their own ignorance from being treated or taught wrongly. You only continue that negativity by becoming as damaged as them. For me, I am strong, I can take the nasty that comes my way and still stand up strong. I don’t have to inflict harm on someone else to feel better, because if I did I’d be just as bad as them and I wouldn’t like myself if I treated people that way. If what they do isn’t right then you shouldn’t want to mimic them, right?
Many years ago I witnessed a first time LSD user being guided through his first trip. Whenever he seemed to be afraid, the guide would softly and calmly say, “Turn your head to the left.” When he did, his attention would be focused elsewhere and the fear would evaporate. I immediately thought of “turn the other cheek”: if you’re experiencing something that is pulling you from a state of well-being, focus on something else. You don’t even need religion; it’s how the human mind works.
To me the highest meaning and value of "turn the other cheek" is to trust that God also indwells the other person. If he/she takes some action against me or someone else, is there a peaceful action, not words or inaction, that I can take that wakes the person up to their own moral responsibility before God? In other words, if the person strikes my cheek while being morally asleep, if I turn the other cheek then he/she almost certainly has to make a conscious moral choice to hit me again.
The goal of justice is to correct not to vindicate. By correcting people you may hurt their pride but it's in the hopes they become better people. By being vindictive your hoping to hurt the person not caring if they become better
This reminds me of so much modern times, the focus on justice without creating room for redemption is just a continuation of the punitive & retributive justice system that already has been a problem for decades. If we allow politics to be bogged down in grudges their will no way out and even the spectators won’t walk away clean. Ideal justice has never been achieved nor will ever be but a close approximation can be achieved if we’re willing to understand and help others onto a better path. Unbridle Righteous anger maybe justified but it doesn’t mean that it won’t lead to perdition.
I think it should mean turn the other cheek if done by words by walking away if able, but if your attacked and cornered then you fight back and turn there cheek around
That's only part of it!! It's not specifically explained in the Bible, so you need to look up the full cultural meaning and significance of the right hand, left hand and right check and why those details are important. Hardly anyone knows this, and there are other cultural things and idioms and expressions in the Bible which cannot be understood without studying the culture and sayings and meanings from a Hebrew knowledge and perspective. It's a shame how many misunderstandings are taught by most pastors.
Justice is social. No one is due anything. It should function to remove monsters and settle financial disputes. The paint of morality is black no matter the rose tinted glasses people refuse to remove.
Haven’t you noticed the ‘John Templeton Foundation’ water mark at the end of the videos? If you have perhaps you don’t know what the foundation is about. It’s worth a google. I watch this channel to challenge myself and to occasionally find common ground with religious people. Videos like todays are definitely more on the challenging side, hearing from a Catholic official who’s reprehensible organisation is due much retribution. But I try to see and hear the person as well as the Catholic official.
@@boboak9168 Good point and google. I like this channel. I just hope it doesn't go too deep into religion as I have already unsubscribed a few mythology channel.
@@boboak9168 yes, I've noticed the Templeton icon on the videos and even Googled it. I just don't understand why Big Think is involved with them all of a sudden, or even if it is all of a sudden? Has Big Think been taking money from the Templeton Foundation and for how long? What is the motive for churning out this logically flawed religious crap? These videos are awful and not giving any real insight into sound religious arguments. Not making me think big, just making angry about having dogma poured down my throat under the guise of a balanced argument.
@@TheNutCollector I’ve clearly been watching the channel for much less time than you. Casually browsing through the back catalogue I don’t see open involvement from the foundation and I do see more open atheists. I’d be happy to see a mix of both in future.
Just remember: forgiveness does not mean reconciliation.
Reconciliation requires the other party to renounce their transgression - to rebuke their past choices.
😅😊
I think another interesting factor is when we turn the cheek and do not give into the other persons hatred or violence, it shows a complete control over ourselves. I know so many people who have gotten into horrible situations by engaging in fights with people as a means of pride, whereas if they walked away their lives would have been better.
I use this phrase for road rage incidents.
'Your anger...Only Hurts You'
@@AmazePaulz Yes that's a perfect example!
Pride comes before the fall into accepting wickedness and destruction as tools to fix perceived injustices. Be tempered by humility and ask yourself if this is how you would like to be treated or if perhaps there is a better way.
Often one man's version of justice is another's injustice which leads to a cycle of vengeance.
Remember that it is easier to commit acts of hate and violence upon people seen as inhuman, and you would also become less human in their eyes as a result.
Unless your like me where if someone does something unjust towards me and i take the higher ground and not exact a just response, i feel i imparted upon them a mercy they did not deserve. I may be able to brush it off in the short or long run but until i do my mind will rage with a tempest of all the horrible ways i wish i could have punished them. My fear is one day the offence will be too great and i will not be able to stay my hand, but if that day comes i will at least be certain they both earned it and deserved it.
The whole Bible is fundamentally misunderstood
This is an interesting interpretation of that instruction, to turn the other cheek. I wish it was taught to me in my Catholic upbringing because the message I got was to be a doormat and keep forgiving bad behavior without demanding that it stop.
There is always more than one understanding of ANY historical texts, so the idea that we always 'misunderstood' that saying is a bit much. What it should say is here's ANOTHER way of understanding it, not "here's what it ACTUALLY meant" because there is of course no way of understanding that. Jesus went so far as to almost willingly get nailed to a cross without much fuss, and said to forgive the people who did it to him, thats clearly doormat material.
The question would be NOW, is that narrative more powerful or less if the story of Jesus was "and then our lord was dragged kicking and screaming and throwiing rocks and sand at his accusers and damning them and making a heroic last stand but then was overcome and nailed to a cross".
@@mikearchibald744 obviously the story would be much weaker. So whats your point ?
@@pedroamezcua8249 That IS my point.
the catholic church needs those supporters to be brought up to be doormats... for the catholic church ✋️😑👍
@@mikearchibald744 thats completely different. Jesus was not a doormat. He is the apex of the spirituality path. So, as when facing something/some end that cannot be avoided or where you can not do something to change your future, he will of course accept it as it is. Nothing can be done. The words "forgive them because they dont know what they are doing" are some powerful words if you dig in them... not the same, AT ALL, as someone messing with you over something and your answer rather than you standing your ground and confronting the person verbally to make your point/ defend yourself, is you just accepting everything and saying "yes people keep doing me bad things I forgive you" to everyone...
Justice is the field where forgiveness can grow, in injustice only hate can grow.
Forgiveness necessarily requires injustice. Maybe you're projecting when you say that in injustice, only hate can grow. Because you're bad at forgiving people.
@@drangus3468
I live in a land that has suffered the scourge of terrorism for a long time, young people became terrorists because of the injustices suffered, the victims of these acts also immersed themselves in hatred. The only way to break the circle is justice for both sides.
@@sardodakota7488 I don't think retributive justice breaks the cycle of hatred, it only perpetuates it. Where there is a long history of violence, there is always going to be some injustice that goes punished. Always. So if both sides demand justice and refuse to let these things go, there can never be peace between them.
That isn't to say there aren't cases where one side is clearly in the wrong. But even in those cases, let's not pretend that justice is about forgiveness.
@@drangus3468
justice does not necessarily break the cycle, but it certainly facilitates it. I have seen cases in which a victim forgives the murderer of a loved one but always after the perpetrator apologizes. The forgiveness that comes from the heart can hardly make its way without retribution.
This has been one of my favorite of Jesus’ teachings. I’ve always taken it to be about balance. Not letting someone knock you off yours, wether they strike you, steal from you, or ask you to do more than you’re willing.
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In Roman times, you were struck with the back of the hand by masters, and by the front hand by equals. Jesus was saying, if someone back hands you, change your stance so to force him to slap you with the front of his hand. As an equal. to retain your dignity.
The essense of "turn the other cheek" is Don't Be Quick To Take Offense.
If someone bumps into you in a crowd, don't punch him in the face. Turn the other cheek. If he meant to hit you, he'll do b it again, if it was an accident, he won't.
Then there are people out there who are just as eager as can be to take offense, even on behalf of other people. Even if no offense was intended, just to they can "strike back."
Turn the other cheek means don't be that way
Maybe it's like the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but the freeway to hell is paved by bad ones.
And in two comments it became about hating the other
"Mercy does not negate justice, it goes beyond justice." Love that! Like how Christ's death redeemed us, though we did not earn it.
I'm an atheist but I noticed a thought experiment. The idea is that violence is so pervasive that even if god himself is powerless against it. Your opponents are desperate to win a game that has no score.
It's when Justice becomes Blame which becomes primarily about Resentment that we lose our way. Forgiveness and by extension love is to recognize another human; to recognize their weakness and their vulnerabilities. To forgive is to recognize that all humans are imperfect. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting but rather about allowing the event or pain to pass while retaining the relationship. It's to say that while you cannot accept the pain, you will still accept the person. After forgiveness justice becomes about cleaning up the consequences in an often boring and methodical manor. Justice should be about fairness and law, not resentment and revenge.
And when the person continues to serve you pain, what are you supposed to do?
@J Yes that's true, but we all must work hard to avoid creating an "us and them" scenario. There is no us and them, there is just us. Every single human is flawed and continually makes mistakes and hurts the people around them all the time. That's simply how primitive we all still are. You can only minimize the harm you do, not eliminate it.
That said, not all relationships are ment to last. So, ending a relationship can be helpful. There's a different kind of forgiveness to have there, that's the "I'll let go of the hurt you've caused me, but I can't keep you in my life."
The most important thing is to forgive and to let go of hate and resentment. Not for the benefit of others but for your own mental health. Hate and resentment are a kind of poison which harm the person who holds them.
this resonated well with Buddhist teachings as well. there is a lot in common between Jesus and the Buddha
Jesus studied with the buddhists during his 20's, commonly dubbed the "lost years"
It is hypothesized that Jesus "missing years" he went to study hinduism and buddhism in Asia. Thus the similarities.
@@jimmytimmy3680 That is contrary to the bible he was in Egypt
@@jimmytimmy3680 not looking for an argument and not judging. I’ll just leave my comment for your consideration and move on prior to some troll coming which as you know will undoubtedly happen. There is so much hate on all sides so I usually tune out.
Thoughts like yours were ones I thought about as well as I reasoned my way to Jesus being who he says he was. Very important questions to answer during a solid spiritual journey.
Jesus was born to poor Aramaic speaking Mom (and Foster Dad Joseph) but travelled to Egypt until Herod died. Herod was trying to kill Jesus. That aside Jesus demonstrated an ability to speak Ancient Hebrew as he read in the temple. Languages and knowledge of ancient scripture that he demonstrated seems like a norm today but not so much back then. One would have to study - in the temple as scripture (say from prophet Isaiah 700 years before) would have only been held in temples…ie no Google Wikipedia as we know.
Thing is when Jesus came into these temples no one knew who he was. He appeared out of nowhere to these people (the ones that would have had to teach him the language and scripts). Anyhow that was something I thought about on my journey, there are many other thoughts that got answered as I read and looked for truths etc… came at it with an open heart and mind. So travelling the Silk Road for a poverty stricken Hebrew is not likely. The world hated Jews back then too.
As far as it being alike Buddha etc, yes of course. What’s true is true regardless. God speaks to all his children with truths. He plants these seeds of truth within us all. Buddha was born about 800 - 1000 years after the commandments and the laws which Jesus based his teaching on. Yes you could argue that the commandments were adapted from earlier systems but not the ones regarding divinity. Dig at the commandments and see how much better they make life if we follow. Gods’ not an egomaniac, he knows we need solid structure and one leader who by his nature can’t lie.
Jesus is the salt in that equation. He clarifies expectations and simplified. Jesus is God showing us exactly how to act.
Don’t for a second think that I believe all others are damned, believe that I believe Jesus to be the focal point of truth - God on earth, a father showing the kids what he wants. We have failed miserably but that’s another story as you well know but, also a truth with the state of the world today.
I was never ever a reader of the Bible but, I dug at it during a journey, was spoken to by God and didn’t look back. Good luck on your journey!!!! We all want there to be a God!
Jesus is not the bad actions of his followers and the earth is a garden for a soul.
Whatever you believe I send you my love and wish you well. It’s all real but, I completely understand why people don’t believe. There is more anecdotal and written evidence for an after life than not. To the point if it were any other topic there wouldn’t be much an argument. Very telling.
Regardless of it being any kind of religion, the right morality will always be the one that wise people carried. Jesus and Siddartha are both wise, they understand the world better than the many therefore it is not simply a coincidence that their wisdom have commons, it is because their wisdom contained the right morality.
2:48 turn the other cheek means to boldly stand your ground. Never allow someone to strike you twice (once on each cheek). AMAZING - Never understood this before. So grateful for your insights. I feel much better now.
Seeking an honest answer here, how does one never allow someone to strike them twice? If I demonstrate I will not backdown, but I also will not retaliate, how am I to stop an enemy from striking me a second time? I feel the turn the other cheek approach is predicated on the belief that an enemy will be enlightened, find morality, or otherwise change through internal reflection. I don’t think it always works well in practice. The alternative is certainly not better and just leads to escalations. As he said, an eye for an eye leads to blindness. I wish it were simpler. It would make my life much better.
Be careful with "Never allow someone to strike you twice". That is not what was said, and it can be interpreted in a very dangerous way.
@@reid8588 "Turn the other cheek" isn't describing an actual self defense situation.
@Tay ZK What are they describing then?
@@reid8588 It's a metaphor, the Bible is full of them. It's about when people do you wrong or sin in some way. People are wrong to read this literally, just like with spare the Rod isn't talking about a literal Rod. When people actually read and study the whole Bible all of these things are made clear.
Standing your ground is more powerful than people give it credit for.
What if the person doesn’t care? And don’t face consequences of their actions and they keep on doing harm to others?
This video came at the right time because while I’ve always had a good head on my shoulders and been pretty stoic my whole life one moment recently has me fighting with myself about whether an action I want to take is for justice or for revenge. I don’t wish to cause underserved or even deserved harm
I simply would like to know if the person that has committed so many horrible acts to a friend of mine feels any remorse and is on a changed path or is simply sweeping it under the rug potentially causing future harm to others.
Our society needs to learn to forgive others.
"Boys will just be boys."
Not me.
Thank you for this interpretation! I have often struggled with this concept in a number of ways. I've tried to teach my children this point, to stand up to aggressors, but it was difficult to explain how it was not a "dumb thing to do" but that this was the part of life that calls for honor and courage. What increased the difficulty of this were other adults (teachers, ect.) who insisted that they "run away" from the issue.
Once again, thank you for sharing these wonderful insights!
@@User-q6x3b revenge and self defence are not the same
@@User-q6x3b Romans 13:4 "
For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
Exodus 22:2-3 (NIV):
"If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed."
@@User-q6x3b Jesus and Peter was different beacuse Jesus was supposed to be captured and die for our sins. and I wonder why his disciples carried swords.
When Paul talked to soldiers he never said to them to lay down their arms.
@@User-q6x3b turning the other cheek is more like when u are not put in danger.
in Jesus 2nd coming he will lead an army of humans to destroy the anti christ
@@User-q6x3b evil with evil is like if one side rapes and kills civilians and if you respond with evil you attack their civilians aswell.
evil with good is when evil attacks civilians but good protect civilians and attacks the people who attacked the civilians and not attacking other civilians
As someone who always had to forgive their perpetrators to me it was an enormous act of free will to NOT forgive them anymore. Because they didn't stop after I'd turned the cheek. They hit me twice, they hit me again and again. And finally - as I managed to walk away - they hit someone else. Leaving me with the knowledge that I only passed this on to another human being.
So true.
I was bullied mercilessly as a nerd in a high school where jocks were the heroes, and a small group of thugs looked for lunch money and compliance to feel equal and buy their surfboards. They see tolerance as weakness, and just don't quit.
Turning the other cheek is EVIL not punishing evil means allowing it to be evil, it means you are complicit in the evil, non violence is fundamentally evil
You bring up a really valid point that is played out again and again , that bullies and thugs see goodness as weakness. If you don't hit them back, they just hit you again and smirk in your face and add insult to injury. That is why this is probably the least taught scripture in the Bible and certainly one of the most ignored. Say it to most Christians, they laugh at you. They'd rather buy guns.
@@tthomas184 It's not about me. It's about the next person who falls prey to the perpetrator. Imagine leaving your child, wife, mother, dear friend to face them, because of your decision to turn the cheek? Is that okay? I think it's not.
That does not mean I will counter violence with violence, but they'll have to pay a price.
@@gabrielefried3853 That's generally the reason they'll give for buying guns...self defense, which is generally understood to include wife, children, family. You're right to point it out since I didn't explicitly mention it. Of course violent thugs were hardly unknown in Jesus day, being under Roman occupation they probably occurred daily., not to mention human nature everywhere.
I believe the main reason people don't turn the other cheek is due to the fact that it requires strength and a considerable level of self control. Submitting to stubborn pride, and the desire to seek satisfaction through confrontation is often times a sign of weakness. Don't be weak, self control is super sexy!
Also because, forgiving hurts. You want to pay back with the same amount of pain if not more. It's easier than turning the other cheek.
@J But you don’t repay evil with evil. You repay evil with good, and with righteous self-defence. There is no need to keep the wolf at bay with malice in your heart. You needn’t beat him or tease him, or lay a trap that mutilates him. You simply show force, out of self-love, and the desire to protect the innocent and the good, yourself included.
If the wolf returns, emboldened or unassailed by your previous demonstration, reality suggests your efforts weren’t enough. When our strategies fail us, is it not foolish to blithely repeat them? Is this not stubbornness, to failed principle?
And is it really strength which causes us to turn from violence? Or is it fear? Perhaps what we think of in ourselves as good is really fear: fear of pain, violence, and death. Perhaps our refraining from violence is born from a fear of its enactment against us, rather than from a love of peace and human fellow-feeling.
The wolf doesn’t care if you turn the cheek. He will maul you just the same. And when a strategy fails, we try something else.
People don't turn the other cheek, because it's a signal for a bully or any other violent man, that it's ok for you, and he can use you to let off his steam, or just for fun, whenever he wants. Trust me, I followed this nonsense before, and I know.
thank you Bishop Robert Barron
I'm over 50 years old and _still_ cannot get over how unfair life is. I've always wanted and needed fairness, but it's taken me decades to realize unfairness is just a part of life and I'm not required to like it.
(I finally, recently discovered my MBTI personality and boy is that answering so many questions I've had about myself. And my obsession with fairness is just a part of my rare personality. Discovering I'm not crazy, just special, has helped a lot!)
Tell me you're an infj without telling me you're and infj (hint: stress your rareness). lol
Just by having survived to 50, having access to the internet and knowing how to read and write means that you (and I) are some of the luckiest few people on the planet. Yes life is unfair and we are the lucky lucky ones who have a voice.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom
No one is special. Everyone is special.
Heres a mindbender for your discovery of self pleasuring uniqueness..
Your personality type.. changes.
So are you special now. But not before..
Or average now with special in the future.
Pride will destroy objectively answering.
Peace, love, exstacy, unity, respect.
Paul
@@AmazePaulz
I've definitely changed because I've grown, yet I'm still the same person I've always been.
That's an interesting interpretation of "turn the other cheek". I agree Jesus is saying "Justice is not enough", more telling is "let those who have never sin cast the first stone". We need empathy, love and forgiveness to triumph over our righteous indignation!
I would argue absolute faith is the expression of righteous indignation at the possibility of humankind OUTGROWING the rigid modes of violent justice that faith imbues in all nations
Whose righteous indignation are you triumphant over?
@@6thface , my own.
@tos100returnsIs it a problem or is it by design?
Are the different denominations all wrong, or are at least some of them part of the message?
Much of what Jesus spoke was in parables, riddles and enigmas, and it requires the aid of the holy Spirit and teamwork to read, interpret and obey.
Thank you for choosing the part of the video "No war". I'm Ukrainian and I thoroughly appreciate this small decisions)
Very powerful, did not expect that from a religious leader. The impression that I have had from modern American Christianity is that justice essentially means punishment and vigilantism ("Showing them bad guys!!"). Including support for the death penalty.
That comes from your social structure.
I completely disagree, his sense of Justice comes from the bible or Jesus and the bible says many things even avocats aggression. I am glad he understands that being confrontational without being violent is good. But the bible isn't the first or most important source of reasoning, anyone can come to this conclusion with logic.
Not impress. Christianity is as nasty since it started. Germany has Hitler and where is this justice? America have its slavery and nuclear, where is the justice. I rejected Jesus. He simply died and didn't die for anyone's sin. I can easily find inspiration from Buddhism and others.
@@cabindatimmy2451 Agree
@@MrGreen-sw1ly What you need is to understand the basic tenets of Christianity i.e the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and not the lives of imperfect Christians. I've seen a lot of people who rejected Christianity not really because they understood it but because of how terrible Christians can be and I understand that, (after all some of the terrible people we have in government today call themselves Christians) but it's really not a good reason to reject Christianity or to think it's nasty. It is just like rejecting Islam simply because some people who call themselves Muslims turned out to be Terrorists.
This is why nonviolence is our only chance for a truly shared future. And why it’s so damn hard.
That's exactly why I dislike people that say "turn the other cheek" but don't add "but don't let them hit it"
Thank you Bishop Barron ❤️
This enlightened message is very much needed now as tensions of hostility are accelerating. I see justice as actually a Divine force that views all of creation as worthy of being preserved and not harmed. It is the return of reverence and respect for the value of existence. Punitive justice is a human rendition that attempts( and often fails) to keep a semblance of order in chaos. Anyone who loves deeply understands the restorative aspect of compassion which actually establishes the balance of peace.
I completely disagree with your suggestion that Justice is divine. Justice is simply accountability for everyone because we all know and experience the same harm or pain to different or various degree.
This understanding doesn't come from god or the bible but part of our nature to reduce harm in this world.
Our nature to reduce harm is birthed from a Divine Source much larger than any version of god.
We all do have the right to seek retribution against those who harm us. What is presented as "Justice" is more often privately funded and also state sponsored opression against poor powerless people, people rendered poor and thus powerless by wealthy and powerful groups of private individuals and by state institutions. Corporate executives constantly get away with commiting crimes against humanity and the earth whilst enjoying protection by the state, the banks, the media and the judicial/legal system.
It’s good to have this kind of self control. The frustration is when it does not work. When you are in a situation where contact with the other person is inevitable unless and until one of you goes away. Some people never learn what they are doing is wrong, for many different reasons. With the only option in those cases often being to leave the situation, this feels very unsatisfactory. People who constantly cause harm in this world, but do so in such a manner where it typically is not illegal, we see more and more of this in the world around us. With seemingly no advice other than “turning the other cheek,” society continues to degenerate. This seems intrinsically related to the lessening of local communities and the increase in individualization. These teachings do not work in a more individualized society.
love this Bishop 🤟
good communicator
Thanks it’s nice to see a catholic priest that teaches discernment 🙏🏽
It's saying stand there and take the abuse.
Which is exactly what an abusive person would want their victims to do.
Brilliant!
Nope. It's keeping your stand, look em at the eye, and say "The next time you do that again, is over my dead body".
It's not running. Like a coward?
It's not punching back agitately. An eye for an eye makes everyone blind.
It's keeping your cool, your calmness, your tranquility.
Like a Jedi, like Superman, like Kenshin the Samurai, like Jesus!
No it's saying don't stop doing whatever the abuser doesn't like.
“Render to each his due”. I love that he prefaced that with the problem is “hyper stress on justice”. Perhaps he’s projecting a fear of what “due” his religion has coming? The sword is the law and it will get us somewhere good.
This is perfection, well done Bishop Barron.
Thxs alot f. Sharing your Point of Views .i enjoy, learn & appreciate it🙂
you guys are excellent. thank you so much for the time, effort, love and passion you bestow upon each upload.
As a pretty devout athiest, this is a great interpretation of the verse. Don't back down, stand your ground and show the world who is the true aggressor. Obviously I believe there are exceptions where retaliation is necessary. Also, this is by no means an objective interpretation.
I was always taught that, at the time, the Romans could only strike you once, after which it was considered assault and they could get in trouble for it
So turning the other cheek was a rebellious act as they knew they couldn’t hit them again without consequence 🤷
Hahaha. You think the civilization which went to watch people get torn apart by wild animals or other fighters, was way more civilized......
@@marcblank3036 This was amongst free people, not slaves
I don’t necessarily think it was true, it’s just what i was told. Hence the 🤷 symbol
We don’t even know who wrote the gospel of Matthew, so none of it could be true 🤷 😂
@@EverythingCameFromNothing Roman citizens were the only people with good rights. All the rest of Europe not so much. As you know the Roman empire was rather large. If you want to be specific, do so in the first place, it helps
@@marcblank3036 oh, sorry for not being more specific, i thought it was obvious the bible was for free people, not slaves, otherwise it would’ve said slavery was wrong, instead of setting out the rules for slave ownership and telling slaves to obey their masters 🤷
@@EverythingCameFromNothing Hahaha. No problem. There is a whole gray world between free people and slavery.
These are your brothers and sisters and this is how you treat them, they need guidance and education, support and direction, we need to show them a path to freedom and prosperity while accepting they are human and will learn and grow, fail and thrive. I am ashamed to be human in its current state while humbled by the love I have found in my life with chronic pain, it amazes me how this duality can exist.
I still don't understand the teaching. It seems to me today that people see striking YOU down as an active good. If you turn the other cheek, that means they need to hit you with their car!!! When we live in a time where people actively plot the assassination of police officers and judges, use explosives on peoples residences and businesses. Kill business owners who try to protect their property and who say to themselves.i did this to get back what was taken from my ancestors that YOU stole!!! What is the message? If YOU are a cock sucking racist motherfucker who should be killed, when you turn the other cheek it is to receive the baseball bat. Afterward out allies will get us out of prison. It was necessary.
You described the teaching “Take up your cross and follow me.” And “I seek to give you life and give it abundantly.” These are two seemingly dualistic statements but really are not. Sharing in the passion of God, for love of God and our neighbors, means we are participating with God in the act of redemption. This brings true peace and joy to the heart.
wow. he's a great teacher. that was powerful ty.
I did that when I was a kid to my mom.
She beat the shyt out of Me.
Stopping the wrongs with an intention of good changes and not solely retribution without any progress towards something better
I've walked away many times. I'm stronger than ever.
End of the day we can and MUST defend ourselves and others, but that's in severe, serious scenarios, and we must conduct ourselves well and be careful, even then!
Thanks Bishop.😌
Awesome teaching video. Thank you guys!
How I learned its the meaning of give the person time to realise where he made his mistake and he will pay you back in the ways you never imagined.
"In wrath remember mercy... (Hab. 3:2)"
A great vid for reflecting on how to navigate this world, so tainted by conflict and evil, and trying to do right without falling in a kind of mentality where righteousness and the desire to bring justice by retribution often actually just plays right into the cycles of violence, intolerance and petty score settling. When the desire for justice goes stray it has lead and will keep leading something noble into some very dark places: lynchings, executions, violent imposition of ideals, 'with us or against us' mentality and so on.
It's a double challenge: opposing evil whilst also making an effort to never lose touch with our guiding principles, like mercy and compassion, that preserve and elevate our search of justice
Preach, brother, preach!
“Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
Oh shit! ‘Holy shit’ actually.
If somebody took things you said out of context, without caring to investigate what you truly meant or said, in order to mischaracterize you, you would not enjoy it much. It’s important to grant this benefit of the doubt to others then.
Thank you! So well explained!
Is it strange that after four decades of life I almost feel like I’m missing out on something by never having engaged in a fight? I have talked my way out of one or two, and recently simply refused to engage in another fight someone tried to initiate. There was no good reason for it and I didn’t see it doing more positive than negative, even though this guy was absolutely someone I would have loved to punch in the face.
My inflated sense of empathy can be extremely frustrating at times. Especially when I actually want to be angry with somebody, but a part of me can also totally relate to their point of view.
From what I’ve seen, most demands of justice are precisely as he recommends. They stand their ground, and demand to be seen. Yet, when injustice is structural and ongoing, symbolism and mercy can function as release valve for resisting real change. I am still haunted by the dignified and compliant response of the Jewish people in Nazis Germany. Of course, they did not know their eventual fate, but when they still had agency they did not resist injustice because they could not imagine the depths of evil they confronted. And in thinking about justice, we should consider which changes happened in history without violence and revolt?
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind BUT LEARNED.
With that logic, school bullies must be super learned...
It never meant not to defend yourself, it meant don't let people change your direction.
Compassion and Understanding. The only two virtues that the devil doesn't have.
Wonderful!
Thank you.
I think this argument against a "hyperstress on justice" is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what most people mean when they talk about justice. Today, in our social justice movements, the focus is on restorative justice, not the punitive, retributive form that occupies history. It's based on a recognition that what has allowed so many forms of suffering and unfairness to continue for so long is due to a lack of the right kind of justice. Historically, justice has been Hammurabic, you lose a hand or an eye for your injuries to another, restorative justice is based on the idea that justice can heal society. Restorative justice is merciful and centers laying the groundwork for forgiveness. You cite Martin Luther King but he spoke out in support of this kind of forgiveness, he compared injustice to being stabbed in the back and he said that pulling the knife out is not justice, just like stabbing the person who stabbed you isn't justice. Healing, dressing the wound is and addressing social inequities is not like taking a sword to another, it's taking a wrench to the system that allowed the injustice to come about.
Additionally, the words and philosophy of King have been watered down and pacified. Martin Luther King was a radical and his position on violence and nonviolence is so heavily misrepresented. Part of his argument wasn't that violent protest was wrong or immoral but rather that it was less effective, in his later years he actually went back on this and recognised the necessity and moral justification of violent protest in addressing social inequities.
I completely agree with you, Justice has but three components: Protection, Privention and Accountability. The most spoken of are Protection (law enforcement) and Prevention (the writing of laws and regulations) but Accountability (the assessment of damage and consequences) has a bigger impact retroactively and the future. It is simply put the standard bar with which tolerance is measured.
I don't this it's a coincidence that a catholic priest would prefer if retribution wasn't a thing, given all the attrocities commited by said church they've never delivered retribution on.
There's also transformative justice which is seeking to further temper even Restorative justice. Restorative doesn't always work (let's say, a rapist just doesn't show up to trial and flees the country); we need a way for victims to move on despite possibly never getting actual restoration. And yes, this is also a total misrepresentation of King's words, I agree. This guy's opinion is sketchy. Not that he has like, bad motivation, it's just sketchy in the sense that white people have sketchy, watered down views on history.
@@patrickdallaire5972 They also did a lot of good - for example up until 20ieth century Vatican was the biggest sponsor of Medical studies and biological science - despite what mass media would want you to believe. I am speaking as a scientist, not as a christian - I am not a fan of abrahamic religions, but you gotta give them credit where credit is due. The idea that a human life is worth something in the west comes solely from the abrahamic religions. Sciences are just a direct product of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. We are where we are because of them, both in a bad sense and in a good one. Don't portray Catholicism as evil. It is just a human endeavour, it did a lot of harm, but it also did a lot of good. Humans are imperfect monkeys, Catholicism is just a human thing, not angelic, but also not demonic.
@@jcoludar Even *if* the catholic church did good more good things than bad overall, it remains that they didn't pay fot their crimes.
The idea that a the life of individual of our own species has value is probably far older than religion, heck even humanity itself. Our ancestors had empathy and compassion for one another long before they had words to describe it. You're giving the catholic church too much credit, IMO.
I was both delighted to see the title of this video, as I have thought about the meaning of the teaching myself and thought it misunderstood, and also by the viewpoint expressed here about what you are doing when you turn back to the person who struck you and showed the other cheek (I also agree with the statement that justice must be tempered with mercy and forgiveness); however I don't believe he's continuing with the interpretation of the concept. I believe it means that if you have not gotten through to your fellow man by standing firm and not punking out like a coward or weak in the Spirit and therefore lacking resolution, which would merely embolden all those of like disposition, and yet he is still blind to your strength and honour in the willingness to forgive with love that first undeserved blow and the OTHER cheek he then strikes, well - then he must be chastised by your own hands until he is no longer a threat (by this I do not mean gross and wrathful violence, not at all; I am simply acknowledging the necessity that some must be given notice that unprovoked violence in any form is not allowable and that his power was illusory). And then, in compassion reach down to him/her and offer your hand to help him/her up and show Love in the knowledge that forgiveness is not a thing he/she must accept from you but that you shall give it no matter what. And thus can even the bullies and ones whom prey upon others be shown that compassion and love ARE strength and mightiest where not used to punish but to forgive. (Except those who harm children and those who kill people for joy; they're not human just.....good at pretence)
Thank you
It is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, but I have managed to forgive my ex-wife who had sex with other men. We did have 2 kids together, and this was my main motivation for doing so. But after I was able to truly forgive her,an indescribable peace came upon me.
That is stunning. God bless you for that
She will cheat again
Forgiveness is an action not an emotion.
@@viktormuerte This is why I used "forgive" as a verb. Good point nonetheless. A lot of people get this confused.
God bless you sir.
If justice is so fundamental, why is it so god damn expensive and why is there such a huge treshold ? Real justice is constantly being withold from the common people…
The Three Primary Virtues Are Love And Truth And Trust.
I always viewed turning the other cheek as meaning to expose hatred and violence in on itself, so that not only the world will see who the culprit is but also the instigator can see for himself who is on the wrong side. I like the use of the word mirroring. It's very appropriate here. I wish this was taught everywhere. It's a very humanist approach and not at all a religious doctrine.
When he started talking about justice I thought he was gonna talk about justice for the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of catholic priests.
I don't think he's going to want to go there. And in that context turning the other cheek... well..😬
Oh please. Every Catholic wants justice for the victims of sexual abuse.
@@D1it4FN Can you elaborate? How has bishop Robert Baron failed in regards to victims of sexual abuse?
@@JoseppiAJ I have no idea how the good Bishop has failed in regards to victims of child abuse. I don't know the guy. I don't know his history with regards to the role of Catholic priests and the victims of child abuse.
My comment, the one that you seem to have taken issue with, was my acknowledgment that the good Bishop probably wouldn't want to take this conversation on the chosen subject in the direction of child abuse perpetrated by Catholic priests with the knowledge of high ranking Catholic officials at the Vatican.
Does that make sense to you sir?
@@JoseppiAJ every Catholic wants Justice for the victims of sexual abuse? That's a mighty fine limb you're going out on.
Has every Catholic pounded their fists on the table demanding Justice for the victims? Perhaps in their heart of hearts they have.
Very interesting. Basically, don't mistake justice for revenge. Justice settles a grievance, while revenge perpetuates it.
What I don't get is - Jesus asks us to forgive our tormentors, but for even small transgressions like calling another 'a fool' or for not accepting him, he will put us in hell for eternity. Why?
I have heard further cultural context to this teaching as well. Apparently in the ancient near east you would strike someone with a back-hand across the face to show contempt, and since they only used a single hand for their work and the other to be kept clean for eating etc, to turn your cheek was to invite a punch not a slap. It also communicated: fight me as an equal.
Yes, exactly
It's also simply saying don't allow a slap to the face to stop you from doing what you were doing before it happened.
Only out of strength turning the other cheek is justifiable . We could strike out but do not. Out of weakness turning the other cheek is just empty pathos. We can not act so we do not act.
So many communities have done so much harm to one another through the ages that "Eye for an eye" justice would mean extinction. Only forgiveness will break the cycle.
its the same principle as all religious teaches it means to turn cheek and look within and when you find gratitude compassion and joy inside. then where are your enemies? it doesnt share same space as anger revenge and hate.
Christianity doesn't teach to look within.. quite the opposite actually.
@@Chokken97 psychology religion and science speaks are very similar ego sub conscious your lower self and holy spirit higher self source energy. all speaking of the same principle turn the other cheek thats the way i took the meaning all up to interpretation
1. Turn the other cheek.
2. Spinning back-fist.
This coincides with Confucius's teaching in the Analects 14.34: "repay resentment with virtue, how would that be?" Confucius answered "with what then would you repay virtue? Repay resentment with straightforwardness, repay virtue with virtue."（《憲問第十四·第卅四章》或曰：「以德報怨，何如？」子曰：「何以報德？以直報怨，以德報德。」）
I like the “an eye for an eye” version.
I think of the scene in "To Kill A Mockingbird" where Atticus reacts to being struck in the face. There's something powerful in his non-violent response...
Bishop Barron: Being a practitioner of _ahimsa,_ I listened to your argument with some interest. The wild card, so to speak, that immediately comes to mind is the assumption the 'evildoer' is sane in the sense of being able to personally feel empathy, guilt and shame. To turn the other cheek is a valuable exercise when done mentally, especially when combined with _vairagya,_ but if the not-sane person is harmful to others, he must be stopped (lawfully). It is useful to note PET scans reveal most sociopaths and psychopaths have damaged or poorly developed prefrontal cortex areas (anterior cingulate & ventromedial prefrontal cortices). They can imitate acceptable morality, but not entirely have it.
GOD IS JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I respect that and understand to some degree why answering violence with violence is sometimes not the right call.
But there are many many situations I don't think I or many would think converting or loving or forgiving the enemy would do right by us ,there maybe no sins God can't forgive but we are but man with many ties with loved ones
Great message! Thanks for sharing :)
Brilliantly said!!!🤘
after coming back from being snuffed out, people fear what they dont understand
I'm the kind of person that is easy to take advantage of. Needless to say, I've amassed quite a long list of people that have burned this bridge and people I often wish to seek revenge upon. But what I want MORE than revenge, or knowing they received their karma, is _NOT needing_ revenge. I think I'd be in a better place if I didn't feel the _need_ for revenge.
Luckily, I'm a _Master_ Procrastinator, so I just procrastinate long enough and eventually all the stupid stuff just goes away. It works wonders! (It doesn't work on important stuff, such as responsibilities, but there really aren't that many of those, compared to all the unimportant things.)
I've see Robert before in other venues... Interesting guy. Untempered Justice is just an eye for an eye - and as Ghandi said until the whole world is blind. You don't need Gods and demons to personify good and evil. These concepts only live in the hearts of men.
Stand your ground is still meeting aggression with aggression. I think “turn the other cheek” means to always turn to love. Martin Luther King demonstrated that principle with non-violent protests.
After 2000 years of wreaking havoc upon this world, now that the Catholic Church is finally vulnerable to valid and well-deserved criticism and backlash, we have a video from this priest exhorting us to be merciful.
Justice, Biblically, is a matter to be left to government.
Never is justice to be dealt by the individual to an individual enemy.
That way lies feuds and community violence.
This is why we have government. To judge between parties at odds.
On a personal level, to refuse to lash back is an act of faith.
Faith in God, that He will watch out for you, and will right all wrongs.
To fight back is then an act of unbelief.
Reminder!!
Always press/click the drop down arrow next to the title of a youtube video.
I believe turning the cheek meant to force anyone treating you as a subordinate to treat you as an equal. It was a figure of speech. In Roman society, you didn't touch people with your left hand, as that was the dirty hand. Roman soldiers slapped down jews and other supposed lower people on their right cheek with the back of their hand as a form of discipline. Slave owners did the same to their slaves etc. However, if there were conflicts with other Roman citizens or other equals, striking them in the same manner would be illegal. You would be required to punch them with your right fist of smack them with your right palm. If a supposed subordinate turned their cheek, one striking them wouldn't be able to strike their right cheek with the back of their hand. Thus, not allowing them to treat you as a lower class
Beautiful
Revenge is a natural human response to being wronged, & people who often say turn the other cheek or whatever Holier-than-thou phrase they wanna use are often the biggest Hypocrites.
Yes, they aren't really following the teaching, that's why it's important to understand this teaching.
It's not pacivity.
It's not an eye for an eye.
Many destructive behavior are considered natural, that doesn't make them less dangerous to you or others
POR K🤔NZEKUENZIA EREZ
AUTOKONPLAZIENTE MIENTRAZ
PONEZ TU VENGANZA EN PRAKTIKAZ
EZTERILEZ & AUTOJUZTIFIKADAZ
ATRAVEZ DE TUZ AKTOZ
MIEZTRAZ TE PONEZ
LAZ MULTIPLEZ
MAZKARAZ
KE TUZ PROPIOZ
INKONMENZURAVLEZ EGOZ
DIZFRAZAN KOMO ZENZATEZ KIZAZ
POR KE ATRAVEZ DE EZTAZ
ENKUENTRAZ
LAZ EXKUZAZ NEZEZARIAZ
PARA JAMAZ ZENTIR TUZ KULPAZ
POR NO ZER MAZ KE LOZ
REFLEJOZ
LAZERANTEZ DE TUZ
PROPIAZ EH INFINITAZ IKNORANZIAZ:
PUEZ VERDAD ZIN FALZEDAD ALGUNA
ZERA TAN ZIERTA KOMO VERDADERA
POR KONZEKUENZIA
VERDAD ZIN MENTIRA EZ TAN ZIERTA
TANTO KOMO LO EZ KORREKTA
KUANDO PARA ELLO
HAY KE ZAVER PROZEDER AH ELLO
POR TANTO AKONTINUAZION
& EN RAPIDA ZUZEZION
TODA LAZ VERDADEZ AH MEDIAZ
NO ZON MAZ KE TUZ
MENTIRAZ
DIZFRAZADAZ
DE 1NAZ VUENAZ INTENZIONEZ
POR ENDE EZTAZ EN ZI MIZMAZ
ZI ZON 1NAZ VERDADERAZ
HIPOKREZIAZ
PUEZ TU TERGIVERZAZ
LOZ KONTEXTOZ KON 1NAZ
OPTUZAZ & APZURDAZ REZPUEZTAZ:
DE MANERA PUEZ
ZI DEZEAIZ
ZER KOMO LAZ ROZAZ
ZUTILIZAZ LAZ ALMAZ DE TUZ
ZEMEJANTEZ KON TUZ OVRAZ
ZI DEZEAIZ ZER ZETOZ
DE EZPINAZ
LAZERARAZ AH LAZ
& LOZ DEMAZ POR TUZ FORMAZ
TAN VAZIAZ & RETROGRADAZ
DE NARZIZIZMOZ...
I think that’s what Jesus was acknowledging. It’s a teaching that says please consider a new response beyond the ‘natural’ inclination of fight or flight.
Instead of running away from conflict or answering it with mirrored violence, consider an alternative solution that opens the door to change. Get out of our predictable ‘natural’ behavioral patterns and see what else is possible. See Marcus Aurelius’ observations on anger and revenge for all he said on the subject for instance.
“How much more harmful are the consequences of anger…than the circumstances that aroused them in us.”
Often one becomes blinded by revenge and make choices with out forethought. Regrets often develop much later in life. Sometimes the one who wronged you is acting out of their own ignorance from being treated or taught wrongly. You only continue that negativity by becoming as damaged as them. For me, I am strong, I can take the nasty that comes my way and still stand up strong. I don’t have to inflict harm on someone else to feel better, because if I did I’d be just as bad as them and I wouldn’t like myself if I treated people that way. If what they do isn’t right then you shouldn’t want to mimic them, right?
Many years ago I witnessed a first time LSD user being guided through his first trip. Whenever he seemed to be afraid, the guide would softly and calmly say, “Turn your head to the left.” When he did, his attention would be focused elsewhere and the fear would evaporate. I immediately thought of “turn the other cheek”: if you’re experiencing something that is pulling you from a state of well-being, focus on something else. You don’t even need religion; it’s how the human mind works.
Not at all what the biblical message is talking about.
To me the highest meaning and value of "turn the other cheek" is to trust that God also indwells the other person. If he/she takes some action against me or someone else, is there a peaceful action, not words or inaction, that I can take that wakes the person up to their own moral responsibility before God? In other words, if the person strikes my cheek while being morally asleep, if I turn the other cheek then he/she almost certainly has to make a conscious moral choice to hit me again.
I like ...Vengance is mine ,sayeth the lord . Meaning you as a human , are not here to seek revenge , the lord has that job
An eye for an eye makes the world not blind but without depth perception!
Then *get some* .
@@JohnDove-d8d I'll observe you first 🧐
@@novafamily8430 No. Get away from me. And get some depth perception.
@@JohnDove-d8d *poke* *poke*
The goal of justice is to correct not to vindicate. By correcting people you may hurt their pride but it's in the hopes they become better people. By being vindictive your hoping to hurt the person not caring if they become better
This reminds me of so much modern times, the focus on justice without creating room for redemption is just a continuation of the punitive & retributive justice system that already has been a problem for decades. If we allow politics to be bogged down in grudges their will no way out and even the spectators won’t walk away clean. Ideal justice has never been achieved nor will ever be but a close approximation can be achieved if we’re willing to understand and help others onto a better path. Unbridle Righteous anger maybe justified but it doesn’t mean that it won’t lead to perdition.
I think it should mean turn the other cheek if done by words by walking away if able, but if your attacked and cornered then you fight back and turn there cheek around
very interesting
That's only part of it!! It's not specifically explained in the Bible, so you need to look up the full cultural meaning and significance of the right hand, left hand and right check and why those details are important. Hardly anyone knows this, and there are other cultural things and idioms and expressions in the Bible which cannot be understood without studying the culture and sayings and meanings from a Hebrew knowledge and perspective. It's a shame how many misunderstandings are taught by most pastors.
well said!
Justice is social. No one is due anything. It should function to remove monsters and settle financial disputes. The paint of morality is black no matter the rose tinted glasses people refuse to remove.
When did big think become a religious channel?
Haven’t you noticed the ‘John Templeton Foundation’ water mark at the end of the videos? If you have perhaps you don’t know what the foundation is about. It’s worth a google.
I watch this channel to challenge myself and to occasionally find common ground with religious people. Videos like todays are definitely more on the challenging side, hearing from a Catholic official who’s reprehensible organisation is due much retribution. But I try to see and hear the person as well as the Catholic official.
@@boboak9168 tnx for the explanation. BT is often in my feed but with many different, non-religious themes. This clergy thing started recently
@@boboak9168 Good point and google. I like this channel. I just hope it doesn't go too deep into religion as I have already unsubscribed a few mythology channel.
@@boboak9168 yes, I've noticed the Templeton icon on the videos and even Googled it. I just don't understand why Big Think is involved with them all of a sudden, or even if it is all of a sudden? Has Big Think been taking money from the Templeton Foundation and for how long? What is the motive for churning out this logically flawed religious crap? These videos are awful and not giving any real insight into sound religious arguments. Not making me think big, just making angry about having dogma poured down my throat under the guise of a balanced argument.
@@TheNutCollector I’ve clearly been watching the channel for much less time than you. Casually browsing through the back catalogue I don’t see open involvement from the foundation and I do see more open atheists.
I’d be happy to see a mix of both in future.