It is sad how religion is often perverted to become a force for division and subtraction rather than an influence for addition and multiplication. It is sadder still that so many wars are waged and acts of violence are committed in the name of religion. And even sadder that men of religion can be the most intolerant, most unforgiving and the most bigoted people on earth.
The Christian message has always been all-inclusive. Jesus welcomed all with his call: “Come!” All are welcome here, specially the poor, the marginalized and those who are often excluded from most meaningful human endeavors. Even secular thinkers realize that economic growth that is not inclusive is bound to fail. This realization is deeply rooted in the Christian message of love.
After two thousand years, one would have expected that by now we should have already learned how to live in love, in peace and in harmony. But our wars and conflicts are only becoming more lethal and more destructive. Just wars are acceptable and collateral damages among the innocents are justified. Has Christ and Christianity failed? GK Chesterton once said: “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”
I live in the Silicon Valley where I see people of different cultures, from different origins and backgrounds, sharing each others language, cuisine and celebrations. People so different from one another come together to work in harmony, peace and with great productivity and creativity. The Spirit is alive in the Valley.
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.”
Mark 9:38-40