Apologetically Christian

Christianity does not always have the best reputation. From the Crusades, to the Inquisition, to the Salem Witch Trials, Christians have done some awful things over the years. Which may be why Gandhi, a Hindu, says, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Some Christian ministers and televangelists demonstrate the truth in Gandhi’s words. They preach a Jesus who seems full of hate, homophobia, bigotry, racism, sexism, judgmentalism, and resentment toward the poor and the homeless. They seem to believe that Jesus said things like, “Love your neighbor...unless your neighbor is an immigrant, a Muslim, a woman, gay, poor, homeless, or is in some way different from you…then it’s okay to hate your neighbor.”
That’s not who Jesus was. That’s not the authentic Jesus. That Jesus is a lie. That Jesus is a fake. That Jesus is a hoax. So why is that the Jesus some people learn about in church? Perhaps because parishioners in the pews don’t know any better. I heard a preacher once talk about “Those heathen Jews in Hollywood,” and I saw a congregant dutifully taking notes of the preacher’s sermon in her Bible.
Oy vey! Hopefully Christians will do better, without apology. 
Go in Peace. Live in Love. Abide in Joy.