All too often our news items are about fundamentalist groups who maim and kill for the sake of their beliefs. Some believe that they will get to their heaven if they force their thinking on everyone else. War, torture, death, or imprisonment, are legitimate methods.
Of course any religion that needs to force its doctrines on people or kill unbelievers must be false. Any religion that cannot stand even the slightest criticism or opposition is nothing more than a man made system. If there were a supernatural god behind that religion he, or she or they, could easily deal with a few recalcitrant people. If they can’t then they aren’t gods at all but merely the imaginative creation of some charismatic leader.
It’s often said the Christianity is in the same boat having killed millions over the centuries.
Christianity follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. He said, do good to those who hate you, bless them that curse you, and love your enemies. He also said that if His kingdom were of this world then His disciples would fight.
Christianity has nothing to do with the crusades, inquisitions, or any of the wars so often attributed to it. Church leaders in various denominations did that. They played politics, setting up and deposing kings. So called princes set up their own churches for their own ends, and politicians have used the church and the name of Christ to back their power struggles.
All through history genuine Christians have followed the teachings of Jesus.
True Christianity can accept that others may have different beliefs. It may want to state that it believes those different beliefs are wrong, but it wont kill, maim or torture non Christians. True Christianity doesn’t need to enslave a nation to enforce its beliefs, it doesn’t need to ban other religions from its territories. It does, however, want freedom of speech for everyone. It does want to be able to share its message freely, it does want to share Jesus Christ’s offer with all.

Brother Richard Oliver
Eltham Message Church