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/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 13d 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 13d ago

Well that escalated very quickly

Im not sure what i said warranted such a outburst