The cultural differences between the East and the West sometimes stem from the natural environment, but they are generally believed to arise from differences in thinking. In other words, Asians tend to understand relationships and similarities by grasping the context of certain events and situations, while Westerners often focus on rules and categories by concentrating on objects. Therefore, Asians believe that even beings far apart influence each other, and Westerners believe that a certain phenomenon occurs only when they are in direct contact. However, the irony is that the West, not the East, has communicated over long distances using invisible magnetic fields or radio waves. The consistency of phenomena does not always produce the same results as expected. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Jesus taught, “If you got slapped your right cheek, turn the other cheek.” One of the actions that the Jewish Qumran community denied and forbade was “pointing with the left hand.” Violations of this rule brought sanctions from the community. To hit the right cheek means the opponent strikes with an unclean left or right backhand. This cheek slap is deliberately insulting and humiliating rather than merely a pain-inflicting action. Therefore, this teaching of Jesus, “turn the other cheek,” suggests not allowing oneself to be struck by the back of the hand and can signify not being helpless but being active in nonviolent resistance without seeking revenge or retaliation. Perhaps this teaching carries a frightening meaning. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”