It’s ironic that the Church should teach people to obey and be subordinate, as Christ was a radical rebel of his day. His teachings are massively in conflict with what we still do in the 21st Century. In many ways, we are a lot worse.
The defining characteristic of a Christian is the love they show to others, as that is how Christ said His disciples would be known. Mistakes are fine, but repetitive negative or destructive behaviour means that those who have no love or do not love simply are not entitled to call themselves Christian. Christ taught in simple parables to simple peasants, deliberately concentrating on the social outcasts (prostitutes, tax collectors etc) because they were the ones who needed love the most.
Christ’s message was clear: you may be an animal, and suffer from human nature, but you are to override that and do as your Creator has always wanted you to. Don’t be a pretentious hypocrite. Love the unlovable and don’t cause harm to other people. Have faith at all times with no exceptions. Go out and change the world.
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World/Human Nature |
Christ |
| If someone does something to make you angry, it is okay to respond by telling him off. | Being angry and calling someone names can land you God’s judgement |
| It is okay to look at a good looking woman when you are married as long as you don’t act upon your desires. | Looking with lust at a woman makes you guilty of adultery. |
| Divorce is okay if you are not compatible with your spouse. | Divorce (except in the case of adultery) makes you and your spouse guilty of adultery. |
| If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from carrying out your vows, it is okay. | Do not make vows at all, but do as you say. |
| You shouldn’t let people take advantage of you. | Do not resist evil, but return good for evil. |
| It is okay to hate people who are enemies to you. | You are to love all people and pray for those who hate you. |
| It is okay to get your name on a hospital wing or other worthy cause when you donate money. | Give in secret, so that nobody knows what you have done. |
| Praying in public is a good way to witness. | Pray in secret to God with sincerity. |
| If people do evil things to you, it is okay to get even. | Forgive all who sin against you. |
| Eat, drink and be merry! “He who dies with the most things wins.” | Do not accumulate things just because you have extra money. Use your resources for eternal purposes. |
| Always try to get rich. Money will make you happy. | A person cannot serve God and money at the same time. Make choices that have eternal impact. |
| Shop ’till you drop. She who has the most clothes wins. | Do not worry about your clothing or your food, but trust in God for your needs. |
| If you are worried, take a little pill and relax. | Don’t worry about tomorrow. There is enough to do today. |
| Did you read about the latest gossip about that movie star? | Do not judge others. Examine your own behaviour. |
Powerful stuff indeed. Christianity is not about fitting in and conforming. Faith means rejecting pretentious crap and taking on a higher purpose. That’s not going to happen without you experiencing some serious resistance.
The Church may have enslaved, but Christ’s message was about liberation. If these religion principles are there as a conspiracy to brainwash and control people, then why do they end in good happening as a result?
It’s useful to look at the law Christ extended and His commandments to those who follow Him. Those who do not practice these things, or do the opposite, are in complete violation of His teachings. Occasionally, they need to be reminded of that.
I. The Universal Moral Law
A. The Law Of Love
“First, love God your Creator more than anything else. Then, love all other people the same as you love yourself.”
B. The Ten Commandments
- “Do not put anything ahead of God your Creator.” (like your worries, your addiction )
- “Do not make or worship idols.” (e.g. celebrities, cars, models)
- “Do not insult, disrespect or deny the name of God.”
- “Take one day of complete rest each week, in honour of God.”
- “Honour your father and your mother who brought you into the world.”
- “Do not commit murder.”
- “Do not commit adultery.”
- “Do not steal.”
- “Do not tell lies against anyone.”
- “Do not crazily desire other people’s possessions.”
C. The Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
A note here. This is NOT the same as other religions preach. Christ’s declaration of the Golden Rule demands that it is practiced without expecting anything in return. All other interpretations (e.g. Karma, Confucius) are written with the idea of reciprocation, i.e. getting something back.
II. The Other Commandments Of Jesus
- “FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU.”
- “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.”
- “ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU.”
- “LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS.”
- “END DISPUTES QUICKLY.”
- “WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT.”
- “DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL.”
- “DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE.” (Turn the other cheek.)
- “GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED.”
- “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU.”
- “GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVAL FROM OTHER PEOPLE.”
- “PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE.”
- “MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD’S PRAYER.”
- “WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW.”
- “STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH.”
- “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS.”
- “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE.”
- “MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS.”
- “DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE.”
- “DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE.”
- “ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE.”
- “FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS, COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS.”
- “FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE.”
- “BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.”
- “EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS.”
- “LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM.”
- “DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES ‘MASTER’ OR ‘FATHER’ FOR YOURSELF.”
- “RESOLVE DISPUTES IN AN ORDERLY WAY”
- “DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR GROUP.”
- “HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING.”
- “BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN.”
- “LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”
- “EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”
- “WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET.”
- “BE MERCIFUL.”
- “GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM.”
- “KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.”
- “BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN.”
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