Largest Common Denomination

“What if we have developed a religion that makes reverent and honoring statements about Jesus but doesn't teach what Jesus taught in the manner he taught it? What if the religion generally associated with Jesus neither expects nor trains its adherents to actually live in the way of Jesus?”

Unfortunately, this seems to be the reality. In the centuries since Christianity became a widely established religion, Christians have warred among themselves over a variety of issues: whether men should wear beards or not, what counts as a sin and what does not, ethical issues like abortion and gay marriage, etc. I think that all the denominations splitting away from each other miss the point entirely – Jesus’ message is one of love, not separation. I really believe he cares much less about whether or not you do work on the Sabbath (how you define ‘work’, on which day you celebrate the Sabbath, etc.) than he cares about all people treating each other humanely, with a sense of dignity and respect not only for other human lives, but for all life. My knowledge of Jesus and his teachings, though it is admittedly limited, suggests to me that being a good person and treating others well is the main idea of what he wanted for the people of the world, while all that other stuff does not actually matter all that much.

“What if the message of Jesus was good news--not just for Christians but also for Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, New Agers, agnostics, and atheists? And what if the message of Jesus contained warnings for Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, New Agers, agnostics, atheists--and for Christians too? What difference could it make in the lives of individuals, in their families and neighborhoods and circles of friends and in the world at large?”

I think the message of Jesus, although intended for Christians, is applicable universally. Most organized religions promote in their basic tenets the concepts of compassion, brotherhood, fairness, etc. Many religious myths and folk stories also coincide with the teachings of Jesus in their expression of ‘warning’ tales as well. As I mentioned for the previous question, I feel that what religion you are, whether you eat fish or ham or steak on Friday, how often you pray, does not matter so much as long as you are a good person.