Christianity and Trump

[Subyman]

I started going to church recently. I'm not a believer. However, I find the stories interesting and Jesus's teachings to be moral and good for the most part. He was also a highly intelligent man that was amazing at making the Roman's look stupid which is amusing. As I've listened to the sermons, I've noticed that Jesus would have been highly liberal. He spoke of tolerance for all man, loving your neighbor, he gave aid to travelers from far away lands, he fought against capitalism run amok, he fought against excess for the ruling class, and he taught people to forgive.

He seems like an awesome man that would run a country from a position of empathy and would care how the people felt.

However, the right who are high christian seem to have very strange positions on a lot of issues when looking at what the teachings of Jesus actually are. They do not like social programs. They are not very tolerant of gay marriage or any LGBTQ issues. They are adamant that we should keep people out of our country, especially those from poorer countries. They would even turn away refugees who have no home from war torn areas of the world! I've seen people on the right call 13yo girls who had an abortion murderers. They'd prefer the government to force a woman to be pregnant even if she was raped (a man forces the conception and the government forces the pregnancy, how tragic!) And the list goes on.

Then we have Trump who is 100% opposite of Jesus. He casts stones. He is supremely narcissistic. He'd punish a woman for having an abortion. He spoke of banning immigration based on religion and actually tried to institute the ban. His life has been one of the pursuit of monetary gain and excess. He's spoke of exploiting his celebrity to sexually assault women. He has demonstrated zero empathy.

I'm just wondering how most Christians reconcile this, both their political positions and their support for Trump. Jesus was a man of empathy while Trump is a man of himself. They are polar opposite. I'm no believer in God or Jesus being a manifestation of God, but I'd love to have a man that has the qualities and values of Jesus take the helm.

 

[Grooveriding]

Many, not all, cloak themselves with a religion more as a means to falsely elevate themselves above others - ie. 'the chosen people', 'the faithful' etc. Rather than out of finding a personal alignment of principles in common with their religion's teachings. It's a good way for an asshole(s) to kid themselves and others they're not just that.

As per Christianity. It gives you an easy out. Be a pos, go in the box and tell the priest you were a pos. It's all good, paradise still awaits. The whole forgiveness thing can be turned into absolving ones self of personal responsibility.

These are not universals imo, there are decent people you meet who really adhere to just the positive messaging of the various faiths, isolated from the ugly messages. I don't see this as any vindication for faith mythologies though. This would still be true with or without religion. If there is one thing religion has shown, it does nothing to prevent people from being shitty to one another, and often gives a reason to do just that. There would be positive people with or without the myths, just like there are plenty of decent people who enjoy helping others right now that don't go in for faith based thinking.

 

[dainthomas]

You're going to be shocked, but most people who say they're Christian have no idea what it means and certainly don't live their life by it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Welcome subyman. Do as they say, not as they do.

Church isn't required for belief.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

One can call himself a football. That does not mean it is true.

 

[bshole]

Christian just means that a person gets to say their morals come from God in his holy book. They do not need to justify them on ethics.

 

[Moonbeam]

One can call himself a football. That does not mean it is true.

Poor Grooveriding there, so insecure in his non-belief that he had to go on a harangue against religion in a post where the OP stated he's a non-believer, says there are no universals. Wouldn't that mean that if a man called himself a football he might actually be right?

 

[realibrad]

I started going to church recently. I'm not a believer. However, I find the stories interesting and Jesus's teachings to be moral and good for the most part. He was also a highly intelligent man that was amazing at making the Roman's look stupid which is amusing. As I've listened to the sermons, I've noticed that Jesus would have been highly liberal. He spoke of tolerance for all man, loving your neighbor, he gave aid to travelers from far away lands, he fought against capitalism run amok, he fought against excess for the ruling class, and he taught people to forgive.

He seems like an awesome man that would run a country from a position of empathy and would care how the people felt.

However, the right who are high christian seem to have very strange positions on a lot of issues when looking at what the teachings of Jesus actually are. They do not like social programs. They are not very tolerant of gay marriage or any LGBTQ issues. They are adamant that we should keep people out of our country, especially those from poorer countries. They would even turn away refugees who have no home from war torn areas of the world! I've seen people on the right call 13yo girls who had an abortion murderers. They'd prefer the government to force a woman to be pregnant even if she was raped (a man forces the conception and the government forces the pregnancy, how tragic!) And the list goes on.

Then we have Trump who is 100% opposite of Jesus. He casts stones. He is supremely narcissistic. He'd punish a woman for having an abortion. He spoke of banning immigration based on religion and actually tried to institute the ban. His life has been one of the pursuit of monetary gain and excess. He's spoke of exploiting his celebrity to sexually assault women. He has demonstrated zero empathy.

I'm just wondering how most Christians reconcile this, both their political positions and their support for Trump. Jesus was a man of empathy while Trump is a man of himself. They are polar opposite. I'm no believer in God or Jesus being a manifestation of God, but I'd love to have a man that has the qualities and values of Jesus take the helm.

Well that is Christianity right? Jesus seemed to have said lots of nice things, but that is wrapped in the context of the religion and directives from God. New Testament God is a lot nicer than the one of Old. Remember that old school god had no problem wiping out everyone for the sins of a few. Flood the entire planet and hit the reset button. Kill everyone in the village including babies because they were born evil.

So, you are right to see the conflict of Christians but its inherent to most religions. Their holy books are so broad that they conflict depending on what part you are reading. Its a feature not a bug.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

As a similar guy to OP who started to attend Church rather regularly about 3 years ago. I thought Trumps claim of being the "Greatest bible study" (or similar I forgot his exact remark) really strange. That's not something someone who really understands the Bible would ever say.

 

[Moonbeam]

I started going to church recently. I'm not a believer. However, I find the stories interesting and Jesus's teachings to be moral and good for the most part. He was also a highly intelligent man that was amazing at making the Roman's look stupid which is amusing. As I've listened to the sermons, I've noticed that Jesus would have been highly liberal. He spoke of tolerance for all man, loving your neighbor, he gave aid to travelers from far away lands, he fought against capitalism run amok, he fought against excess for the ruling class, and he taught people to forgive.

He seems like an awesome man that would run a country from a position of empathy and would care how the people felt.

However, the right who are high christian seem to have very strange positions on a lot of issues when looking at what the teachings of Jesus actually are. They do not like social programs. They are not very tolerant of gay marriage or any LGBTQ issues. They are adamant that we should keep people out of our country, especially those from poorer countries. They would even turn away refugees who have no home from war torn areas of the world! I've seen people on the right call 13yo girls who had an abortion murderers. They'd prefer the government to force a woman to be pregnant even if she was raped (a man forces the conception and the government forces the pregnancy, how tragic!) And the list goes on.

Then we have Trump who is 100% opposite of Jesus. He casts stones. He is supremely narcissistic. He'd punish a woman for having an abortion. He spoke of banning immigration based on religion and actually tried to institute the ban. His life has been one of the pursuit of monetary gain and excess. He's spoke of exploiting his celebrity to sexually assault women. He has demonstrated zero empathy.

I'm just wondering how most Christians reconcile this, both their political positions and their support for Trump. Jesus was a man of empathy while Trump is a man of himself. They are polar opposite. I'm no believer in God or Jesus being a manifestation of God, but I'd love to have a man that has the qualities and values of Jesus take the helm.

People hate themselves. Jesus came to relieve those who hate themselves of that burden via faith that God has not condemned us for out sins, but that we have done just that by accusing each other of it and telling each other that because we are sinners the door to heaven is denied us. He came to tell us that we can't enter that door via ego, the delusion that we are good people when we follow all religious laws or pretend to ourselves that we do. It isn't obedience to the law but the practice of the spirit of the law that matters. There is faith and there is faith. There is the external practice and the external notion that we are forgiven and there is real faith that leads to the death of the ego, the grace that comes to those who feel so worthless and experience such grief that the Christ that sleeps within us awakens.

You are not completely right, if I may say so, when you say that Jesus was a just a man. He was a full realization of the Image we were created in. You are impressed by Him because that same Image is hidden within you and calls out to you. The idea there is a God comes from the fact that we experience separation from Him. Love seeks its source.

 

[Atreus21]

I started going to church recently. I'm not a believer. However, I find the stories interesting and Jesus's teachings to be moral and good for the most part. He was also a highly intelligent man that was amazing at making the Roman's look stupid which is amusing. As I've listened to the sermons, I've noticed that Jesus would have been highly liberal. He spoke of tolerance for all man, loving your neighbor, he gave aid to travelers from far away lands, he fought against capitalism run amok, he fought against excess for the ruling class, and he taught people to forgive.

Trying to squeeze Christ into an ideological frame is a mistake. Use Him as a means to a political end, not the end in Himself, and you will be frustrated.

However, the right who are high christian seem to have very strange positions on a lot of issues when looking at what the teachings of Jesus actually are. They do not like social programs.

And yet Christian groups are at the forefront of social programs, combating homelessness, poverty, illness, hunger, and all manner of social problems.

They are not very tolerant of gay marriage or any LGBTQ issues.

Define tolerant. Homosexuals can and do live in the United States, a nation overwhelmingly composed of Christians, with every expectation of dealing peacefully with any Christian they meet.

Christians believe that homosexuality is sinful. They also believe that out-of-wedlock sex and pregnancy is sinful, yet they have multitudes of organizations that support women who are undesirably pregnant.

They are adamant that we should keep people out of our country, especially those from poorer countries. They would even turn away refugees who have no home from war torn areas of the world!

Complete baloney. As I quoted in another thread that was peddling this, from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops :

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-act...-refugees-and-travelers/refugee-resettlement/

In partnership with its affiliates, and the United States Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, USCCB/MRS resettles approximately 30% of the refugees that arrive in the U.S. each year. The Catholic refugee resettlement network includes over 100 diocesan offices across the country and in Guam and Puerto Rico.

I've seen people on the right call 13yo girls who had an abortion murderers. They'd prefer the government to force a woman to be pregnant even if she was raped (a man forces the conception and the government forces the pregnancy, how tragic!) And the list goes on.

Killing unborn human beings should not generally be permitted. That some people call pregnant 13 year olds murderers is harsh, counter-productive, and even cruel, but it doesn't change the fact that you're advocating that her child be killed.

Then we have Trump who is 100% opposite of Jesus. He casts stones. He is supremely narcissistic. He'd punish a woman for having an abortion. He spoke of banning immigration based on religion and actually tried to institute the ban. His life has been one of the pursuit of monetary gain and excess. He's spoke of exploiting his celebrity to sexually assault women. He has demonstrated zero empathy.

I'm just wondering how most Christians reconcile this, both their political positions and their support for Trump. Jesus was a man of empathy while Trump is a man of himself. They are polar opposite. I'm no believer in God or Jesus being a manifestation of God, but I'd love to have a man that has the qualities and values of Jesus take the helm.

And as stated earlier, again, in the other thread, Christians voted for Trump not because they went looking for him, but because the alternative was Hillary Clinton.

 

[ch33zw1z]

And as stated earlier, again, in the other thread, Christians voted for Trump not because they went looking for him, but because the alternative was Hillary Clinton.

That's unsound reasoning. Those were not the only two choices. If all of a sudden Jesus Son of God was elected in a few red states...I would've been so effing amazed, and have faith that there's still some actual Christians out there.

Pencil that shit in the blank space and make a stand. Take the road less traveled.

 

[Atreus21]

That's unsound reasoning. Those were not the only two choices.

I wonder if you're serious.

Yes they were the only two choices. The only two choices that had any chance at winning. Everyone knew that one of those two people was going to be president.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ok, so sacrifice professed morals and ethics for winning. Sounds like Trump is your guy, he's all about the wins.

 

[sandorski]

Trying to squeeze Christ into an ideological frame is a mistake. Use Him as a means to a political end, not the end in Himself, and you will be frustrated.



And yet Christian groups are at the forefront of social programs, combating homelessness, poverty, illness, hunger, and all manner of social problems.



Define tolerant. Homosexuals can and do live in the United States, a nation overwhelmingly composed of Christians, with every expectation of dealing peacefully with any Christian they meet.

Christians believe that homosexuality is sinful. They also believe that out-of-wedlock sex and pregnancy is sinful, yet they have multitudes of organizations that support women who are undesirably pregnant.



Complete baloney. As I quoted in another thread that was peddling this, from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops :

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-act...-refugees-and-travelers/refugee-resettlement/

In partnership with its affiliates, and the United States Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, USCCB/MRS resettles approximately 30% of the refugees that arrive in the U.S. each year. The Catholic refugee resettlement network includes over 100 diocesan offices across the country and in Guam and Puerto Rico.



Killing unborn human beings should not be permitted. That some people call pregnant 13 year olds murderers is harsh, counter-productive, and even cruel, but it doesn't change the fact that you're advocating that her child be killed.



And as stated earlier, again, in the other thread, Christians voted for Trump not because they went looking for him, but because the alternative was Hillary Clinton.

They may have been at the "forefront", but haven't been since the advent of Publicly funded Social programs.

Christianity is "tolerant" only because Secular Government and Laws has de-fanged it. It is not an inherent attribute of the Religion itself.

A Fetus is not a "child". It seems to me that there is a great deal of ignorance within Christianity towards its' own mythological foundations. During Old Testament times Birth was considered the beginning of Life or more accurately, the Soul entered the body when the Newborn took its' first breath. Not only that, but the only mention of Abortion in the Bible concerns Unfaithful Wives and how a Husband could get rid of another Man's child in his wife's womb. Anti-Abortion/Pro-Life is a completely ad hoc theological position made by the Catholic Church due to its' obsession with filling the Earth with Catholic babies.

 

[emperus]

Well that is Christianity right? Jesus seemed to have said lots of nice things, but that is wrapped in the context of the religion and directives from God. New Testament God is a lot nicer than the one of Old. Remember that old school god had no problem wiping out everyone for the sins of a few. Flood the entire planet and hit the reset button. Kill everyone in the village including babies because they were born evil.

So, you are right to see the conflict of Christians but its inherent to most religions. Their holy books are so broad that they conflict depending on what part you are reading. Its a feature not a bug.

Don't agree; taken into totality there should be few conflicts. Christian doctrine believes Jesus was a fulfillment of the Old Testament and by his death created a new Convenant. And the only way to achieve eternal life (Heaven) is to strive to be more Christ like. And Christ spells out his believes(what being Christ like means) in the Gospels.

As a Christian, a lot of the Christian right embarrasses me.
Some verses below.

John 14:6 ESV / 364 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 6:19-20 ESV / 51 helpful votes
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 

[realibrad]

Don't agree; taken into totality there should be few conflicts. Christian doctrine believes Jesus was a fulfillment of the Old Testament and by his death created a new Convenant. And the only way to achieve eternal life (Heaven) is to strive to be more Christ like. And Christ spells out his believes(what being Christ like means) in the Gospels.

As a Christian, a lot of the Christian right embarrasses me.
Some verses below.

John 14:6 ESV / 364 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 6:19-20 ESV / 51 helpful votes
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Here is another quote from Matthew.

5:17-18
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished"

Quite clearly he is saying that he has not come to abolish the previous laws. Do you believe Jesus removed old laws, and also upheld all previous?

 

[emperus]

Here is another quote from Matthew.

5:17-18
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished"

Quite clearly he is saying that he has not come to abolish the previous laws. Do you believe Jesus removed old laws, and also upheld all previous?

I think you made my point. You took one verse without understanding the larger text it came from and tried to use it make some point.

Here is the full Mathew 5 with the part you quoted bolded:

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
The Beatitudes
2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sisterwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Here is another quote from Matthew.

5:17-18
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished"

Quite clearly he is saying that he has not come to abolish the previous laws. Do you believe Jesus removed old laws, and also upheld all previous?

Look up Matthew 22:37 and forward. Jesus could not have angered the Pharisees for healing on the Sabbath because he wouldn't have done it by your understanding. Pretty basic stuff really.

 

[ch33zw1z]

It's not clear at all.

Matthew 5:38-42 KJV, copied

38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

but wait, there's multiple instances in the Old Testament referencing eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. So no, not everything in the OT should be adhered to.

edit: triple teamed lol

 

[realibrad]

I think you made my point. You took one verse without understanding the larger text it came from and tried to use it make some point.

Here is the full Mathew 5 with the part you quoted bolded:

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
The Beatitudes
2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sisterwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

So what do you think that changes?

 

[realibrad]

Look up Matthew 22:37 and forward. Jesus could not have angered the Pharisees for healing on the Sabbath because he wouldn't have done it by your understanding. Pretty basic stuff really.

Huh?

 

[Thebobo]

Dear god please get rid of Religion.

It would solve many of our civilizations problems.

 

[ch33zw1z]

It really would.

 

[Atreus21]

They may have been at the "forefront", but haven't been since the advent of Publicly funded Social programs.

Uh, prove that, because it sounds like complete BS.

https://www.chausa.org/about/about/facts-statistics

Comprised of more than 600 hospitals and 1,400 long-term care and other health facilities in all 50 states, the Catholic health ministry is the largest group of nonprofit health care providers in the nation. Every day, one in six patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital.

Christianity is "tolerant" only because Secular Government and Laws has de-fanged it. It is not an inherent attribute of the Religion itself.

And more complete BS. Prove that too. Prove that Christians were committing widespread persecution of minorities and others prior to some Governmental savior putting a stop to them.