The more comments I read in this thread, which reeks of self-righteousness, the more insight I gain on how it must have been with
the Pharisees in Jesus' time. The Pharisees also loved to sit around and pompously declare themselves to be more righteous than other sinners. If I was a non-Christian and I read through this thread, I wouldn't want anything to do with the Christian faith of those who use words like "
Demonrats" or who resort to applying other malicious and derogatory terms to describe the people they obviously hate. I'd know enough about Jesus' teachings to know that Christians are called to love others as they love themselves, to love and pray for their enemies, and turn the other cheek. Considering the hatefulness displayed in this thread, I have to ask... what happened to Jesus' command of "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"?
I hope there aren't any non-Christians reading this thread because if they are, then I humbly apologize for what you're reading here. I want you to know that what's been said in this thread DOES NOT represent the way Jesus Christ commands His followers to treat other people. Christians are called to be representatives of our Lord and Savior, and imitate Him.
1 John 4:20-21 "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
1 John 3:15-18 "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
James 3:9-12 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
Ephesians 4:29-32 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Galatians 5:19-26 "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."