Turn The Other Cheek

[MaryJJD]

I was a bit lost for words in a discussion recently, where a friend referred to someone doing something illegal (trespassing on private company land at night) and got arrested and charged, which I thought was a just outcome since it was their choice to do it knowing it was wrong. He thought it wasn't as they were nice people wanting to explore and that they should have been let off. Knowing I was catholic, he brought up what about 'turn the other cheek', and forgive your enemies, etc.

I wasn't sure what to say-I need to work on my apologetics. I know there is a distinction here between someone who believes and doesn't, but had no idea where to go from there as a catholic

[Jaime]

"Turning the other cheek" is about what we should do to others, not what others are required to do for us. It does not give us the right to break the law. It is what we are asked to do if someone has wronged us. From a Church standpoint, we are called to follow the laws of our community as long as they don't contradict the doctrines of the Church.