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Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Passion is driving force behind the ongoing debate regarding the United States use of water boarding as the extreme method used to extract information from suspected terrorists. Recently, President Barrack Obama has banned the use of water boarding calling it torture and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has pushed for the release of government documents that condoned the practice. The actions of the President and the ACLU have sparked a worldwide debate about the use of torture. More importantly, a new Pew Study shows that it is a completely different Passion is driving the mind blowing statistic that more than six-in-ten white evangelical Protestants (62%) say that the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain important information can be often or sometimes justified.
Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) After Jesus was brutally beaten and dying on the cross he continued to reveal his core teaching: Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness. His teaching has little to do with torture and yet some experts argue that the focus on the brutality of the crucifixion, as portrayed in Mel Gibson’s movie the Passion of the Christ, is driving many Christians to the conclusion that the use of torture is a necessary tool for stopping the propagation of terrorism. However, this new Pew study reveals that it is not Mel Gibson’s movie or the crucifixion, but something else that is spreading through Christian churches that has the power to lead people away from the core teaching of Jesus. What is spreading throughout Christianity and how can the shocking statistics of this new Pew study help you to understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?
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The Pew study reveals that it is not the Passion of the Christ that is driving people to think that the use of torture is appropriate, but it is more likely the Passion of Politics that has shrouded the minds of Christians like a plague. The same study reveals 64% of Republicans saying torture can be often or sometimes justified, compared with only 36% among Democrats. These statistics serve to illustrate that Christianity has become the catalyst for a political movement that threatens to destroy the teaching on which all of these churches were founded.
Fundamentally the entrance of politics into religion reveals the prevalent ignorance regarding what Jesus teaches and why. Would Jesus torture someone? Did Jesus say that it was sometimes justified to use violence? Really, would Jesus torture someone for any reason? As Jesus illuminates, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” (Matthew 25:45) Would you think it was all right to water board Jesus?!
When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He says to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!" Then He says to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27) Jesus transcends the physical suffering he was enduring to reveal that separation only lives in the mind, but in the omniscience of God there is no separation. Jesus explains, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He says, "Behold My mother and My brothers!” (Matthew 12:48-49)
As you begin to recognize that there is no difference between you and someone else, even your enemies, than you have an opportunity to understand the core teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level. Jesus illuminates, “You shall Love your neighbor as your self.” (Matthew 22:39) He is not asking you to love your neighbor as someone separate from you. No! He says love your neighbor as your own self. Loving your self is loving your neighbor which reveals the love that is at the very core of everyone!
Jesus reminds, "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46) Many Christians do not understand his simple teaching of Loving as Love itself, they simply think of loving people they already like or already love, or loving someone that is just like them. But this has nothing to do with the core teaching that you are the Light of the World—A vast Love without end! To Love the way Jesus is asking you to Love, you need to understand this fundamental Truth—You are Love and everyone regardless of their life experience or religious beliefs is this very same LOVE. There is no separation in That! Wow!
Jesus says, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Are you willing for just a moment to open your heart and simply Love everyone as Love?
How will you Love your neighbor today?
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