This thread reminds me of a Simpsons episode I watched yesterday.
Bart is sent to Catholic School, but to their parents' dismay, Bart enjoys Catholicism.
There is a struggle between Ned Flanders and the priest, until Ned says, "You know, we have been arguing for far too long over petty matters. Let's unite against the real enemies, like monogamous homosexuals." Bart says, "See? With a little tolerance from each side, were can live in peace and harmony."
1000 years later, two groups have formed, prepared for war.
"We believe that Bart said that we should live in Tolerance."
"We believe that Bart said that we should live in peace and harmony"
Charge!!!!!!! (and they begin to fight).
Jesus called for people to love God, and love one another.
So, it's not far off when people argue, or kill, in the name of Jesus.
While Jesus did say "do not think that I came in peace but to divide", he is also called Prince of Peace.
He is quoted many times saying "Peace be with you."
But one cannot take everything Christ said at face value.
One cannot say, "Jesus is anti-family, because he said:
Luke 14:26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
He meant to divide families, and unified families are unchristian:
Matthew10: 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
So, are you unified by your own family, or are you christian??
Or maybe, being anti-family, isn't what Jesus meant at all, but that by following Jesus, people will divide - and sometimes, even families.
