I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith. The

Host: The room was still, bathed in the soft glow of the evening light, as Jack and Jeeny sat in the quiet. Outside, the sound of a distant train rumbled in the background, but within the space they shared, the world felt paused, waiting. Jeeny sat across from Jack, her hands folded in front of her, her eyes steady as she looked at him, as though anticipating something to shift.

Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but filled with the weight of the words she had just read.

Jeeny: “I came across something today from Gandhi. He said, ‘I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith. The gentle figure of Christ, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek - I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man.’ What do you think of that?”

Jack: (raising an eyebrow, his tone thoughtful) “It’s a powerful sentiment, sure. But I think that idea, of forgiveness without retaliation, can be a bit... difficult to fully embrace. Christ might have been the perfect man, but we’re far from perfect. Turning the other cheek sounds good on paper, but in the real world, it feels like it could leave you vulnerable, maybe even exploited.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice steady) “I understand the hesitation. It’s one thing to admire the idea of turning the other cheek, but another to live by it, especially when the world doesn’t always treat you kindly. But I think what Gandhi is getting at, and what Christ represented, was the strength in forgiveness. It’s not about weakness—it’s about the courage to rise above retaliation. It’s a kind of empowerment that doesn’t come from violence, but from peace.”

Host: The quiet in the room thickened, as if the words themselves were weighing on the air. Jack leaned back, his eyes distant, while Jeeny sat still, her gaze unwavering. The light from the window softened their features, creating a moment of calm in the midst of an ever-changing world. The conversation, deep and reflective, seemed to stretch across the room like a quiet wave, waiting for a response.

Jack: (softly, almost to himself) “I get what you’re saying. But there’s still that question—how do you live that way, when the world seems so bent on hurting each other? If you turn the other cheek every time someone strikes you, it’s like you’re just inviting more pain.”

Jeeny: (leaning forward, her voice clear) “I don’t think it’s about inviting pain. It’s about breaking the cycle of violence and hatred. Retaliation only creates more of the same. Christ’s example wasn’t about being passive—it was about finding a way to be strong without responding with aggression. It takes an incredible amount of courage to forgive, especially when you’re hurt. And I think that’s the point.”

Jack: (frowning, voice thoughtful) “It’s just hard to imagine. If someone wrongs you, and you just accept it, where does that leave you? Does forgiveness mean that you never stand up for yourself? That you just let people walk all over you?”

Jeeny: (gently) “Forgiveness isn’t about allowing others to walk all over you. It’s about choosing not to let their actions control your own peace. It’s about rising above the hurt, not carrying it with you. Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean you have to retaliate. You can speak your truth, set boundaries, and still forgive.”

Host: The room was quiet now, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air, each word carefully considered. The evening outside continued its steady march toward night, but inside, there was a quiet stillness, as both Jeeny and Jack processed what had been said.

Jack: (after a long pause, his voice almost tentative) “So, it’s not about letting others hurt you—it’s about finding a way to stay strong, even when they do. To choose peace, even when the world isn’t offering it.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice softer now) “Exactly. Forgiveness is an act of strength. It’s choosing not to let anger, or hatred, or the need for revenge control you. It’s about finding a way to move forward without carrying the weight of those negative emotions with you.”

Jack: (quietly) “It’s a lot to ask of anyone. But I guess, if we’re all going to try and follow the example of someone like Christ, maybe it starts with finding the strength to let go, to rise above.”

Host: The quiet that followed felt different now, softer, more introspective. The words, once heavy with resistance, now seemed to settle in a different way. The room, filled with the dim light of evening, seemed almost to exhale, as if the conversation had created a shift, a new possibility. Jack sat there, his brow furrowed, but there was something different in his expression now—a quiet understanding, if not full agreement, with the power of forgiveness.

The world outside had grown darker, but inside, there was a quiet light—a flicker of something larger than the hurt or the struggle. It was the light of choosing to rise above, to let go of the need for retaliation, and to find strength in peace.