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"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
(Matt. 10:34-39)
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2007-12-12 04:53:16 · 15 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It makes Jesus sound like a jealous boyfriend. "I don't want you hanging out with your friends or family. They're a bad influence on you. If you were a good woman, you'd stay at home and keep house. You don't need anybody except me."
If a human says things like that, they're a potential abuser. IMHO, it's not any different if a human claiming to be a god says it.
I don't follow abusers. F*ck that!
2007-12-12 05:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by catrionn 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have turned from GOd due to the hypocrisy in the bible. Check out bible contradictions in the Yahoo! search engine. The problem with anyone who follows any religion, is that you are looked at like you are a maniac if you dare question anything. The bible was written by men, not a deity, and who knowes how we really came to be. Nobody will ever know what happens whne we die, except we get creamated or buried, or whatever other customs do. The thought of an afterlife of paradise is nice, but I go with logic, not faith. The key to religion is faith and fear. What you typed shows that Jesus has a huge ego, and if you don't follow him, he will cause chaos in your family. I don't follow Jesus, but I would never hurt my family. My bond with my siblings and rest of the family is very strong. The bible is taught through interpretation, and leaves out key elements of Jesus' life. Where are his teenage years? Why wouldn't those things be documented? Just honest questions to ask, and if you get that "His ways are not our ways" then that's a cop-out. It is similar to communism. Read animal farm by George Orwell to compare and contrast how authority changes what it says to meet thier circumstance (pigs) while the commonfolk work and suffer (horse).
No Jesus, Know Peace.
2007-12-12 13:02:46 · answer #2 · answered by bama79rolltide 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Standard sayings of the typical Eastern "holy man." The idea is to free yourself of all familial entanglements, and of worldly concerns in general, so that you can focus on your spiritual progress. Not original or unique to "Jesus" at all.
And I know people are bound to thumb this down because it conflicts with what they heard in Sunday School; but it's absolutely true. You could go to India today and find dozens of "Yogis" who would tell you the same thing, for the same reasons.
It should also be pointed out that this is an instruction to a select group of disciples. As a rule for society in general, it would obviously be madness. This highlights the absurdity of pretending that every injunction in the Bible is universally applicable.
2007-12-12 13:14:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The "sword" is a metaphor for the word of God; it's used that way in other texts. I think of this verse often when I read of people who are the first in their family to become Christians and experience a family-wide effort to get them to recant. Jesus is not saying he WANTS families to fight, but he is predicting the logical course of events when one family member follows him and others don't.
This can even be true in families where everyone is Christian. My mother-in-law and I have had tense moments because I feel Jesus teaches equal acceptance for people of all races and she doesn't, so we've had discord on that topic. Jesus and the leaders of the early church consistently taught to love and care for one's family, so I don't see how it could possibly be construed as anti-family when someone takes all the scriptures into account. It is when one "cherry picks" as some people like to say, that problems occur.
2007-12-12 13:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus is explaining His reason for coming and the place that He has in our life. Many people will tell you that Jesus is love and that he came to show us the true meaning of love. Jesus is all that, but it's not his main goal. Jesus is telling us that His purpose was to draw sinful man back to a Holy God and nothing should be more important than that. Not our family, friends or possessions. If we value any of these things above our relationship with Him, we will be lost.
2007-12-12 13:06:12 · answer #5 · answered by Virtuous1 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You never have any criticism for Islam. Why is that? Instead, you constantly apologize for Islam and bash Christianty. If you were an Agnostic or Atheist, you would give no quarter to either. Something doesnt add up here.
Alluah Akbar brother in Islam!!
PS - Almost all armed conflict worldwide is Islamic. But what does that prove. Right?
2007-12-12 13:01:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
It means that sometimes we have to interpret the Bible away from a stance that would be morally repugnant or inconvenient, such as leaving your family, selling all your possessions, or requiring women to cover their heads in church.
But other times we can quote scripture at people and refuse to let them interpret it to suit their needs. Isn't that clever?
2007-12-12 13:45:28 · answer #7 · answered by Surely Funke 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is meant to say that you will turn away from those who don't listen to Jesus. For instance, if a man wants to follow Jesus, but his father does not, the man must follow Jesus, instead of his father.
It doesn't say hate your family, but more like "God is #1, family is #2."
2007-12-12 12:57:37 · answer #8 · answered by Free Thinker A.R.T. ††† 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
free thinking is correct. Just to add, the Word of God (Jesus) is referred to as a double edged sword, I believe, in the Revelation. He is not a 'violent' individual even though He will use force to prevent evil people from taking advantage of His people (the clearing of the temple.) He is not anti-family as evidenced by the assignment He gave to John to take care of His mother just before His death.
2007-12-12 13:05:52 · answer #9 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
very simple!
not everyone will like the words of Jesus!
so let's Say that My father is Atheist, and I'm a Cristian! What do you think it will happen? for sure we will disagree in many things!
but the Words of Jesus are true, and this world can't take it!
some people will accept the message, some don't.
2007-12-12 12:59:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋