People like to feel like their membership to a creed or a faith grants them some sort of special place, and that others are not included. It is the bane of organized worship.
If only those that preach hate as part of their religion would read the actual words attributed to Jesus Christ, they would have to re-think their entire life purpose!
How many so-called Christians actually live by the following?
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, The Beatitudes
(
Psalm 1:1-6;
Luke 6:20-23)
3Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed
are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed
are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
These were Kurt Vonnegut's favorite parts of the Bible. He also bemoaned how so many cold fail to follow such simple wisdom.