Divine Teachings

Some religions teach that deception can sometimes be good, and that it can be justified, as long as it’s being used to the disadvantage of one’s enemies.  Other religions also teach that human life does not have to be valued at all times, but that it’s okay to oppress – or possibly even kill – certain people if they don’t share our religious beliefs.  The teachings of Jesus, however, are unique, powerful, and seemingly divine in the ways that they call us to live – very much unlike any other major religion.  In their purest, Biblical form, Jesus’ teachings call us to do things like reject all forms of retaliation against our enemies and even to love and pray for them, His teachings call us to “be taken advantage of to the advantage of others”, and His teachings call us to share our worldly possessions generously with others – even those to whom we owe nothing.  Very few people could argue with the claim that if everyone lived in perfect harmony with the teachings of Jesus, this world would be a wonderful, utopian place.  Furthermore, Christianity is the only major religion where the “founder” of the religion himself claimed to be God, rather than point others to God, as well as promised that He would rise again from death.  Christianity is also the only major world religion that teaches that salvation comes completely apart from human effort or goodness, and in fact, is hindered by any kind of human pride that tries to take responsibility for our own salvation.