Antisemitism in Christianity

[Gibbon]

Turn the other cheek has been so misused. At the time of Jesus back-hand striking of a person deemed to be of lower socioeconomic class was a means of asserting authority and dominance. If the persecuted person "turned the other cheek," the discipliner was faced with a dilemma: The left hand was used for unclean purposes, so a back-hand strike on the opposite cheek would not be performed. An alternative would be a slap with the open hand as a challenge or to punch the person, but this was seen as a statement of equality. Thus, by turning the other cheek, the persecuted was demanding equality.

So was really a form of resistance to someone who could not respond in self defence it was not a call to non-violence by all. The passivism argument is a 'modern' interpretation not taking into account the context of the times.

Ahem, it was a concern in 412CE by none other than the prefect of Rome, Volusianus. Here is a excerpt of a letter written to St Augustine by one Marcellnus ( Aug. ep. 136)


" Another objection which he stated was, that the Christian doctrine and preaching were in no way consistent with the duties and rights of citizens; because, to quote an instance frequently alleged, among its precepts we find, ‘Recompense to no man evil for evil,’ Romans 12:17 and, ‘Whosoever shall smite you on one cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any man take away your coat, let him have your cloak also; and whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two;’ Matthew 5:39-41 — all which he affirms to be contrary to the duties and rights of citizens. For who would submit to have anything taken from him by an enemy, or forbear from retaliating the evils of war upon an invader who ravaged a Roman province?"

[Zigenare]

In other words you are wrong, and you accept that with your own words.



The UK is NOT a Christian nation.
Many of the people in the UK who label themselves as "Christian" most certainly do not act in a Christ-like way

You're a moderator, not an arbiter, just a gentle reminder...

[WTFH]

You're a moderator, not an arbiter, just a gentle reminder...

I'm not a moderator of any church.

Chapter and verse for where Jesus preached "Hate foreigners" or "don't help the poor or sick"?

[Zigenare]

I'm not a moderator of any church.

Chapter and verse for where Jesus preached "Hate foreigners" or "don't help the poor or sick"?

Exactly my point. You've made an assumption that this country far from being the most tolerant in the world, hates foreigners, and far from having the best Health provision in the world won't help the poor or sick.

[WTFH]

Exactly my point. You've made an assumption that this country far from being the most tolerant in the world, hates foreigners, and far from having the best Health provision in the world won't help the poor or sick.

Exactly my point. You've made the assumption that when I said "people" I meant "country".

People who label themselves as "Christian" but don't act in a Christ-like way.

Do you recognise there is a difference between an individual and the state, or are individual beliefs not allowed in your opinion?

[Zigenare]

Exactly my point. You've made the assumption that when I said "people" I meant "country".

People who label themselves as "Christian" but don't act in a Christ-like way.

Do you recognise there is a difference between an individual and the state, or are individual beliefs not allowed in your opinion?

Of course I recognise there is a difference.

[JohntheBike]

Rape by a god is more acceptable?

similar, what some would claim were blasphemous, statements about Christianity, made against other religions, would enrage adherents of those religions to the point where a person's life might be in danger. However, that is unlikely to be the response of even the most ardent Christians.

[Zigenare]

similar, what some would claim were blasphemous, statements about Christianity, made against other religions, would enrage adherents of those religions to the point where a person's life might be in danger. However, that is unlikely to be the response of even the most ardent Christians.

Not since the Crusades, the Inquisition, and numerous wars and pogroms between and since.

Seriously JtB, you do spout some tulipe!

[JohntheBike]

Turn the other cheek has been so misused. At the time of Jesus back-hand striking of a person deemed to be of lower socioeconomic class was a means of asserting authority and dominance. If the persecuted person "turned the other cheek," the discipliner was faced with a dilemma: The left hand was used for unclean purposes, so a back-hand strike on the opposite cheek would not be performed. An alternative would be a slap with the open hand as a challenge or to punch the person, but this was seen as a statement of equality. Thus, by turning the other cheek, the persecuted was demanding equality.

So was really a form of resistance to someone who could not respond in self defence it was not a call to non-violence by all. The passivism argument is a 'modern' interpretation not taking into account the context of the times.

very interesting. I hadn't heard this before. So many quotes from the Bible have been taken out of context. An old Communist woman mayor of the Rhondda claimed that Christ was a Communist because the Bible said that "we" should sell all we have and give the proceeds to the poor. However, the circumstances, as in your example, were somewhat different. Christ allegedly said this to a rich man, who had asked him what he must do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ's reply allegedly was that he must sell all that he had and give it to the poor. It wasn't an instruction for us all. The parable of the talents could claim to demonstrate this.

[Zigenare]

very interesting. I hadn't heard this before. So many quotes from the Bible have been taken out of context. An old Communist woman mayor of the Rhondda claimed that Christ was a Communist because the Bible said that "we" should sell all we have and give the proceeds to the poor. However, the circumstances, as in your example, were somewhat different. Christ allegedly said this to a rich man, who had asked him what he must do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ's reply allegedly was that he must sell all that he had and give it to the poor. It wasn't an instruction for us all. The parable of the talents could claim to demonstrate this.

Did she also believe that the Virgin Mary was buried on Anglesey?