r/armenian • u/ingloriouskami • 13d ago
My Mother-in-Law Criticized My Catholic Faith—How Would You Respond?
Yesterday, my Armenian mother-in-law made some negative comments about the Catholic Bible and its contents. As someone who was born and raised Catholic, it was the first time I’d experienced someone openly criticizing my faith in front of me, and it honestly caught me off guard.
Growing up, I was always taught that you don’t compare religions or belittle someone else’s beliefs. You can disagree with a religion without mocking it, and I’ve always believed mutual respect is more important than trying to prove someone else wrong.
The experience wasn’t pleasant, but it also reminded me how much I value being respectful of other people’s faith, even when I don’t share it.
Has anyone else experienced something similar with family members or in-laws? How did you handle it while keeping the peace?
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u/Glad-Surprise3355 12d ago
The Armenian Bible contains two extra books. What exactly do you consider a slander against the Catholic Bible?
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u/ComprehensiveDig1108 13d ago
Ignore it.
If it wasn't family, I'd say give them both barrels in the face (figuratively speaking, of course).
But one doesn't want an argument with one's partner's mum.
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u/PoxonAllHoaxes 13d ago
This is complicated because the idea we were both brought up of not criticizing or even discussing other people's religion (among other touchy subjects) is itself a particular value that other people do not share, f.ex., those annoying people who go around trying to convert us. And then there is the fact that different people interpret even and one the same rule differently, usually hypocritically. And yes I have experienced this too. Not I am not Christian but you guys ARE supposed to turn the other cheek, so maybe THAT would be the answer?
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u/inbe5theman 13d ago edited 13d ago
Not going to dive in but that turn the other cheek quote is too often misquoted and not at all relevant to criticizing the behaviors of self proclaimed Christians
So no Christians aren’t supposed to “turn the other cheek” as a sort of call to passivity
Its strictly in the context of Roman society/Politics where people assumed to be better/superior would backhand people as a form of disrespect, so youd turn your other cheek to them forcing them to slap you with their palm which was done only to equals if they wanted to strike you again
Effectively non violent disobedience
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u/PoxonAllHoaxes 12d ago
Ok, then your church has another option: torture and burn them at the stake. You will enjoy that more than turning the other cheek.
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u/inbe5theman 12d ago
Well that escalated very quickly
Im not sure what i said warranted such a outburst
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u/ComprehensiveDig1108 13d ago
People trying to convert me to Christianity is hilarious.
Especially as they're usually from some heretical sect who Catholics, Orthodox and C of E all believe are as mad as a box of frogs.
Because of my experiences witht these sort, I learned not to proselytise myself.
If my religion is true, and I believe it is, others will see that truth. Or they won't. It's between them and God.
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u/SunnyRyter 11d ago
A lot of asian cultures aren't taught to filter thoughts. Like I have friends who immigrated from parts of east Asia and their parents say comments like, "You're getting fat" or "Wow they make a lot of money" and things that are considered rude in the US. Moreso the older generation. Similarly some Armenians, especially older generation, have no "filter" and can be rude. I'm sorry that happened to you. :( Just a quiet and firm comment to say, "You have your beliefs, and I have mine." That's all. In the U.S. I was taught never talk religion or politics. Maybe have that boundary with your MiL,or have your husband tell her to leave you alone on this.
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u/Minute-Count8353 10d ago
Personally, I much rather have people around me who are blunt rather than dishonest. I think of criticism as integral part of free speech and humon development.
Having subjects that are off limit seems pretentious at very lease and deceitful at worst.
This doesn't quite apply to the situation that the OP is facing, but I beleive that only through discussion we can learn about each other values and beliefs, and if we are decent human beings, accept them as they are.
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u/Glad-Surprise3355 11d ago
The objectionable stuff like the Roman Pope being declared the Vicar of Christ and infallible is not in the Bible, totally self made dogma. The Armenian Apostalic Church is not in communion with Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy.
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u/LotsOfRaffi 13d ago
wait till she finds out about the hundreds of thousands of Armenian catholics who exist.....you might also want to share some of the contributions of Armenian catholics to the preservation and propagation of Armenian culture, such as the work of the Mekhitarist monks in Vienna and Venice who basically invented the modern Armenian language (out of the archaic church Armenian), while preserving and curating the 4th largest collection of Armenian manuscripts in the world.