Torture and Murder in Service to Jesus Christ?

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

 

Everyone and everything somehow receive a free pass when done in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the basic Christian philosophy, if you are one of millions who use the Bible for your own benefit, to protect your personal beliefs. Not for true believers.

I dare anyone who proclaims themselves to be a Christian, to show me anywhere in the New Testament where Christ encourages and approves torture and murder. Until I was 16, I was a Catholic. As a pre-teen I considered the priesthood as an option. I read the Bible, and continue to believe that Jesus Christ was a man of peace and love. It is of no concern for me if He was the Son of God, or a prophet, his words had deep, spiritual meaning. Someone should explain these facts to radical “Christian” groups, supported by many of our leaders in Washington, including the last Supreme Court Justice confirmed by Moscow Mitch McConnell’s political party.

On Thursday, 9/14/23, five adults and one 15-year-old girl were arrested in Georgia when the body of a woman was discovered in the trunk of a car outside of a popular spa. Medical examiners report that she had been starved, beaten, and tortured, and the abuse continued for months. All six of the alleged murderers claim to be members of a group calling themselves the “Soldiers of Christ.” Hypocrisy is now fully accepted as the norm in 21^st century American life, as long as it involves the worship of a god.

In 2010, it was discovered that our military fighting the illegal war in Iraq had inscribed Christian messages on parts of their rifles. As proven by the Crusades, any war is justifiable if it is waged against “infidels.” Muslims have been on that list, composed by Christian leaders, for centuries.

Fact, there have been more human beings slaughtered based on religious differences than for any other reason in history. In 2021, violations of the guarantee in our first amendment that no single religion shall become the only true religion in our nation has become a political issue. This is not only the most hypocritical action of all, it is moronic.

Religion should be personal. It never should be on our ballots. However, although the words are not there, it is behind the reason millions of voters choose candidates who have an “R” or “D” next to their name. This is pure ignorance.

Many of you are aware that I am proud to be one of about 75 million Americans who reject all organized religion. Some of us believe in a god, some do not, and some are unsure. However, we choose not to accept the instructions of a mortal man or woman who offers his or her opinion about what a god demands from his or her followers. We seek spiritual lives based on our sense of what is right and wrong. We are all born with a conscience.

What is lacking in America today is common sense. Those in power over us have proven that they are not to be trusted. Trust yourself, your family, and those you know and respect to find the way to live better lives and to make our country better for everyone.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Sources: https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2010/01/killing-in-the-name-of-jesus/191562/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/6-soldiers-of-christ-charged-woman-found-dead-car-trunk-georgia/

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