Is this why there is so much violence and crime in the name of Christianisty?
2007-01-20 13:06:51 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
whoa, where did i miss that one?!
2007-01-20 13:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Jesus said that. The Greek word used for peace meant tranquility or unity - and in that respect Jesus was saying that he didn't come just to tolerate everyone and see everyone hand-in-hand. He was to teach the truth, and the truth would divide people.
The sword symbolizes condemnation for those who refuse the truth.
That does not, however, permit any kind of violence or crime, especially in the name of Christ. Crimes have been committed in the name of Christianity because people neglected the true word of Christ and sought their own perverted agenda. They will not escape judgment for abusing the name of Christ.
2007-01-20 13:22:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He did say that. And He was speaking of the division within families because of His name.
Look at the context:
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword! For I came to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A person's enemies will be members of his own family.'" (Matthew 10:34-36)
During the persecution of the church that followed Jesus' return, this happened. Families turned in relatives because people became Christians. These were imprisoned or killed because of their faith. The sword was wielded against Christians, not the other way around.
Only those who wish to twist Jesus' words could justify a Christian using a sword against their families or others because of this passage.
As to "so much violence in the name of Christianity," those who use Christ's name to advocate violence either do not belong to Him, or have perverted the message of Christ. Either way, He would not be pleased.
2007-01-20 13:15:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Jesus also said, however, "For all they shall take the sword shall perish with the sword." Jesus delivered a stern warning to all Christians who advocate violence, saying they would eventually die by the same sword they wielded.
Jesus does not support war anywhere in the Bible. The above scripture you picked out was taken out of context. After making that statement, Jesus went on to say: "For I am come to set man at variance against his father, and the daughter against the mother, and the daughter in law against the mother in law." (Matthew 10:34). Note the division that Jesus shows. Jesus is only illustrating that, because people believe on him, family ties will fragment. Because people believe, their belief will create discord in their relationships. Luke 12:51 gives us a much clearer meaning of the same verse: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." That's all he means.
As for the violence in the name of Christianity, Jesus is not to blame. Blame the Catholic Church. Because the Catholic Church was dominant in the Middle Ages, they perceived any other religious sect as a threat to their power. A typical example of this is the Albigensian Crusades. These Crusades were ordered by Pope Innocent III against the Albigensians, who lived in the town of Albi. This was because they believed in not eating anything conceived by sexual union. The Catholics perceived the heresy as a threat to their power, and the Albigensians were crushed promptly. Needless to say, a bloody massacre ensued. And there were other "threats to power" that they had to put down in various ways, such as massacring the Jews and the Anabaptists, who were killed in the late 1500s--1600s for believing that people should only be baptized as adults.
Trust me. It's largely Catholicism's fault.
2007-01-20 13:40:06 · answer #4 · answered by l;wksjf;aslkd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, He did say that in Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword."
But, if you read it in context, meaning you start at verse 1 and read to verse 38, you'll see that He was using hyperbole to get His point across, not to sanction violence. He had just told the disciples to put their lives in danger by going through Israel and spreading the Gospel WITHOUT taking any kind of provision (weapons, money, clothes). He tells them that there will be danger and commotion, but He reassures them that God will take care of them through this trip. And that is where He uses this verse. He's saying that what they're about to do is going to start a lot of drama and confusion. Some people will believe and some won't, and it will even divide families up (just like it does today). But His ultimate point is to remind them that they have to keep their faith in God.
Keep reading , and you'll come across Luk 22:36 "And He said to them, But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." The disciples came up with 2 swords and Peter used one of them to cut off the ear of one of the High Priest's servants when they were trying to arrest Jesus. Instead of telling them to fight for Him, He heals the servant's ear and surrenders Himself to ultimately be crucified.
2007-01-20 13:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by Reality check 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 10:34 (KJV) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
No, this is not why there is "so much violence and crime in the name of Christianity". To understand that verse it helps to read the entire chapter of Matthew 10.
2007-01-20 13:13:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the violence and crime is in the name of satan, Jesus means that he comes to bring a sword meaning this word. When you tell someone the truth accoding to the bible. it pricks them in the gut and in the heart and they get so offended that they want to kill you. When Jesus returnd he will clean house with mere words.
2007-01-20 13:23:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes Jesus said that in Matthew 10:34. Jesus was warning his disciples that persecution laid ahead for them because of their faith. That his teachings would not bring "peace" for them, but rather "a sword". Their friends, and even their own family, would turn against them because of their faith. And that if during that time they denied Jesus, then God would deny them. That his disciplines had to take up their own crosses to follow him.
Jesus was NOT instructing his disciples to use swords, fight or killing. Rather he was warning them that "swords" would be used against because of their faith. You need only to look at the millions who have been killed for their Christian faith to see that what Jesus predicted came true.
2007-01-20 13:18:54 · answer #8 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The peaceful message proclaimed by Jesus and his followers appealed to persons desiring to be reconciled to God. At the same time this message caused divisions in households, as some accepted it while others rejected it.
Matthew 10:34-39.....Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me. He that finds his soul will lose it, and he that loses his soul for my sake will find it.
2007-01-20 13:21:01 · answer #9 · answered by papa G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah,Lets blame anybody or anything but our selves.
Yes, Jesus said that and the sword is the word of God.
That doesn't mean to cut people down though.
2007-01-20 13:16:14 · answer #10 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes ha did say that but people forgot to read the rest of the bible[judge not less you want to be judged] and love those who hate you,return violence with violence to no one .....
2007-01-20 13:15:23 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋