Have you ever engaged in a discussion with someone over politics or religion and it migrates from being anything but civil into the outright ugly and hateful? Of course, you have. Why does this happen? Because people are passionate about what they believe; and, there is nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong with it is when people transition into the personal attack of the person (s) for not agreeing with them. This is what I find very interesting and it merits close examination.
In my more than 50 years of life, I have witnessed some of the most heinous behavior from persons claiming to be the followers of Christ. I have witnessed them burning the Koran; endorsing war only because they believe God has blessed the country in which they are citizens; engaging in murder and bombing of innocent people of other nations (I was in USAF for twenty years and know of many first-hand accounts of so-called Christian pilots engaged in bombing runs – say Monday through Saturday – and are in church on Sunday having their consciences massaged by clergymen).
I have witnessed as a child the mistreatment and lynchings persons of African descent by White persons claiming to be followers of Christ. And, in more modern times witnessed the formation of a “new breed” of Christian in the earth that is intolerant, hateful, aggressive, condemnatory; and one who thinks “winning souls” for Christ is to (1) Europeanize others and (2) get those persons to agree with their views without question, challenge, investigation or testing. They like to be the ones doing all of the explaining and telling and not having persons telling or explaining anything to them. They seek only the approval and acceptance of others with their views and not the seeking of directing persons to the feet of Christ. Any who defy them will be beaten in the sense that you will become the subject of their harsh words and mistreatment.
I was watching a news commentary program on CNN where the panel consisted of four White males, one African American male, and one African American female. The topic of discussion was race relations in the United States. What I observed in almost all discussions consisting of panels with this racial makeup (no matter what topic is being discussed), is that the White panelist hates being checked by African Americans; they want to have the last word and final say. They do not like being wrong.
I have personally experienced this innumerable times. Just recently I was engaged in a discussion about the deity of Christ with two White Missionaries. I pride myself on listening to others without interrupting them. These two gentlemen started off cordially with the discussion. Yet, when I was allowed to speak, I respectfully disagreed with them and proceeded to show them from their Bibles why Jesus was not and is not, God.
After showing them, they became agitated. Condemnatory. Borderline threatening. They did not question the Scriptures I showed them, they were upset because I checked them. That so-called Christian mask they were wearing melted away and they were on the assault about being condemned to hell for an eternity if I do not accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I asked them, “What does that mean? Accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and could they show me where that is written?” They could not.
I could see that they were getting more and more agitated because they could not reel me in because I never took their bait, so I politely explained that we agree that we are in disagreement and move on. But no! They had to have the last word. It was getting weird! Their feelings were hurt. I nodded and walked away. They followed me to my car which was parked a block away. I got into my car, cranked the engine and began to pull way. As I was driving away, one of them ran up to the side of my car, lifted the wiper blade and placed a tract underneath it. I just laughed and wondered to myself, no wonder so many people are repelled by anything Christ-related. I thought, “Christ needs no enemies with friends like these.” 🙂
I digress.
When Jesus arrived on the scene he came as one speaking boldly and with authority. I doubt very much that Jesus would agree with what is being taught today by the religious system called by men, Christianity. I really believe that if he was physically on the earthly scene and walking among us, he would question and challenge those who claim to be followers and asked them:
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- Why do you not love your brother as I directed you to? You hate your brother and make war with him.
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- Why do you not love your enemies as I directed you to? Instead, you bomb them into submission killing many innocent persons in the process.
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- Why are you teaching things I never taught? Why are you teaching that my God is three Gods? Why are you teaching that my return was in 1914? Why are you teaching that when my followers die they go heaven and those, not my followers and eternal hellfire?
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- Why are you condemning persons to eternal hellfire when I did not?
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- Why do you not freely forgive others as I did? You instead condemn.
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- Why do you teach a rapture?
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- Why do you call men “holy father.”
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- Why do you call a book (The Bible) what I exclusively am: “The Word of God?”
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- Why do you portray Adam, Eve, Angels and even me in the likeness of the European?
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- Why do you call me God? Did I teach you that?
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- Why do you call yourselves Christians? Did I tell you to do that? If not, who did? Did I ever call you Christians?
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- Why do you claim you know me? To know me is to know what I taught.
The religious system and its leaders of his day did not like it when Jesus questioned and challenged them and exposed them as hypocrites. It agitated them to such an extend that they plotted to do him harm and have him done away with. This was the only way they could silence him and prevent his message from falling upon fertile and humble hearts. Matthew 7:28-29 says:
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Demons – who all know the truth about who Jesus is – became agitated in his presence. They knew Jesus was The Son of God, Word of God and The Truth. They knew that he spoke the truth. This truth spoken by Jesus is what agitated the demons and it pained them, brought them discomfort and “gave them a hard time.” (Mark 5:2-7)
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!
Such is the case with many persons within the religious system called by men, Christianity. They emulate this demon-possessed man and the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Any coming forth speaking boldly and speaking truthfully – with no hidden agenda and nothing to hide – will cause these persons to feel uncomfortable, unsettled and like they are being tormented and given a hard time. In other words, they become agitated by what they hear. They go on the offensive and seek to silence the one (s) tormenting them with truth.
They are very easy to spot. Many will initially come across as godly persons until … until … they are unable to get you to agree with them. You turn the tables on them and YOU question, challenge, and put THEM to the test. (1 John 4:1). They do not like it; neither is it something they are accustomed to. Like I said earlier, they like to be the ones doing the telling, not to be told to. They have already arrogated themselves as being righteous just like the religious leaders in Jesus’ day.
Once they have decided that you are not with them in belief, they will not leave you alone without slapping and jabbing you first. The slapping and jabbing comes in the form of personal attacks against YOU as a person. Something Jesus never did. Their slappings and jabbings are sort of funny because they try to do it without it appearing as if it is not an insult. Yet, it shows the extent and rooting of Christs teachings within them.
Like demons, they know who Christ is (well, if they know him as The Son of God) but the hearing of something different from what they are accustomed to, agitates them.
I believe that the religious system called by men, Christianity, has purposely created in these persons a small circle of understanding. Years of indoctrination does not increase the size of that circle. The circle becomes a prison for their mind. They are purposefully kept Kindergarten-level. And, like Kindergarten children, they react to others as a child would.
When persons – like myself – come along who are free because of Christ (John 8:31-32); and who is being taught at the feet of Christ; and whose circle of understanding is very large because of listening to Christ, they become agitated at hearing you speak and write. They do not understand you; this is not surprising because they are still babes. Babes are innocent and that is exactly how I view such persons. Jesus did to. The fault was with the religious system they are dependent upon as babes: The parent, Christianity.
They go on the offensive to disprove and invalidate what you have said (or what you repeat as Christ saying it). Then they cleverly turn the attention on YOU, the person. A foul stench must be placed upon you. You must be publicly beaten and flogged so others will see how terrible and wrong and misled supposedly you are. Yet, at the end of the day, this evil slave (Christianity) thinks it has done a good thing. It goes forth seeking more to prey upon and control. Any defying her will be beaten.
It is important for those who are disciples of Christ or seeking to be his disciple, to listen to Christ as God directed us to (Luke 9:35) and turn the other cheek because the beatings will come. They will come from those claiming to know Christ. They will be the source of tribulation. They are far far worst than the person who does not believe in God. In fact, persons who do not believe in God are – by comparison – more reasonable and tolerant than the person claiming to know God. The religious system of Christianity has created this fruitage of unreasonableness, intolerance, mock godliness, and hypocrisy in it’s membership. It is a counterfeit, and impostor, and in opposition to the teachings of Christ while cleverly pretending that it is not. Christ never knew them as they claim they know him. (Matthew 7:21-23)
If I could give anyone one seeking to join themselves to Christ as his disciple: Do just that! Join yourself to him and not to ANY religious organization. STAY OUT OF THEM AND GET OUT OF THEM AND DO NOT ALLOW ANY WITHIN THEM TO CONVINCE YOU TO ENTER THEM. This is crucial to successful discipleship to Christ.
When the truth of Christ is championed, they will become agitated and never at rest (peace) within themselves and others. Something inside of them gnaws at them and makes them uncertain.
Nothing will stop the truth. Nothing.
If what I write is not the truth, God will put a stop to it and I would humbly submit and accept His correction. (Acts 5:38-40)
The problem is that humans and their religious system called Christianity thinks that it is their job to STOP others from speaking differently than they do. They do not get it. God did not commission them to do such a thing and they do not realize that they could be fighting against God.
Even the above statement, they will not hear.
The things that are not true will be overthrown by God. The things true, no human or angelic entity can stop it. It will cut right though you.
It is this cutting is what brings the pain, discomfort and agitation so many experience when they read or hear the truth.
