Even though Christians and their religion have brought suffering to many, one must admit that the New Testament has some pretty cool sayings. This is in sharp contrast to the Old Testament. The God of the Old Testament is really quite malevolent. Take the near-sacrifice of Isaac by his father, the Second Commandment, which states God is "a jealous God," and more. The New Testament, on the other hand, shows a loving God. Take the Beatitudes, one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.
"³Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the Earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
¹¹Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Also, these passages from the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain suggest that Jesus was a pacifist.
"³⁸You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."
"²⁷But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."
However, the idea of a hell seems contradictory to the idea of an omnipotent, benevolent God. Most Christians say that you make your own path to hell. God doesn't interfere with your choices in order to protect your free will... So is the eternal pain of hell better than interference of free will? Most would put it away, saying, "God's reasons are above human understanding," but then everything can be reasoned with that line of argument! I have to go with the Universalists on this one. But with a slight modification. All souls will enter the purifying fire of purgatory before ascending to heaven.
But that's not even the most pressing problem. Why is there evil?! Is God not capable of removing evil! Then God is not omnipotent! Why call Him God? Is God not willing to remove evil? Then God is not benevolent! Why call Him God?
Certainly, though many of its teachings may not be true, Christianity has some good ideas.
