Here are some of Jesus's core moral teachings from the New Testament;

1-) Love you neighbour as yourself
2-) Do not resist evil
3-) Abandon you family to follow Jesus
4-) Do not make plans for the morrow
5-) Tacit condoning of slavery
6-) Banishment to hell for eternity
7-) His advent was to herald, not peace, but a sword.
8-) Judge not so that ye be not judged
etc, etc, etc.

Of the eight moral precepts above only one (Love you neighbour as yourself) can be described as being noble. The others are simply confused or downright wicked  and calculated to produce discord in societies where it is practised. 

Which of these moral precepts have modern Christians abandoned and which do they uphold? Why?

Even the most noble of moral precepts (Love you neighbour as yourself) is not unique to Jesus.  Jesus would have learnt from the old Judaic tradition, for it was not new in the times of Jesus.

Leviticus 19:18, NIV;   "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD".

     
It was also found amongst the pagan philosophers predating Jesus. Take a look;

The pagan philospher Sextus, 2nd century CE: "Such as you wish your neighbour to be to you, such also be to your neighbour"

Even the "love your enemies" precept is copied from the pagan philosophers.

Sextus;  "Wish that you may be able to benefit your enemies"

Pythagoras taught that even if one was being abused, one should not defend oneself.

Epictetus:  "This is the way of the philosopher; to be flogged like an ass and to love those who beat him, to be father and brother of all humanity".

This is what Celsus had to say in his critique of Christianity;

'You Christians have a saying that goes something like this; "Don't resist a man who insults you; even if he strikes you, offer him the other check as well."  This is nothing new, and it's been better said by others, especially Plato'

This is what Plato records Socrates as having said;

"So, we should never take revenge and never hurt anyone, even if we have been hurt"

So was Jesus unique in "his" noble moral teachings?

The most vile of these teaching is the doctrine of HELL, a place of eternal punishment.  The old judaic notion of HELL was simply a place of repose. Jesus comes along and makes this a place of fireworks and eternal punishment. So much for the gentle Jesus meek and mild.

With the exception of (1) above, I submit that most Christians do NOT really follow these moral teachings, primarily because they find them impractical or evil and not because they have fallen short of Jesus's requirements. Why do they make these vast interpretations of the words of Jesus rather than following them as given in the bible? Well, because that is the nature of the Christian movement; it reshapes itself to fit prevailing societal norms.  For instance, the injunction "not to make plans for the morrow" would have made sense to an apocalyptic 1st century Christian community, expecting the rapture at any time. Today, we have pension plans and health, car and building security policies to tide us for the possibilities of mishaps in the future. Talk about ignoring one of Jesus seminal teachings, ehm!


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Are all you christians out there living by Jesus's teachings?

any takers?

This post is begging out for a response!

This post is begging out for a response!

wonderful post,Jesus teachings i meant.
food for thought.

The[b] fake christains [/b] are too busy in "Romance and Sexuality sections" performing "cow head" rituals and find your topics too boring.  Sorry.

The real ones have not yet been born. . . but have hope and faith.  By his grace. . . . . we shall soon conceive some.

Very intresting topic I must say. But we sometimes forget what christianity is all about. Its not a religion of 'practises' encouraged or discouraged by Jesus. Its Basically a practice of what is right.

You might be right that most of Jesus's teachings of love and doing good to your neighbour is not restricted to him alone. But its a good thing that such values are the baseline for his own teachings. Call it whatever you like, but I think it a very noble thing he did, dying on the cross for the redemption of lost souls. Its the Greatest act of love ever.

People interpret the bible the way it suits them, but as christians, we should not overlook the fact, that the bible is our authority, and true understanding of the bible only comes from the Spirit.

He has given up his life for us, and he gave you the freewill to choose b/w right and wrong. Enternal damnation is for ONLY those who choose WRONG. Most christians really do not follow these commandments, but its not for you to judge them.

I dont know why people keep on antagonizing Chritianity. The last time I checked, everyone has a right to beleive what h/she wants to. Poster, I suggets you do something meaniangful with your time instead of being an instrument of the Devil, trying to challenge the teachings of Christ!! FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO THREAD!!!