I do not have that faith, but I certainly respect those who do. Jesus changed the way the world thinks, he replaced ‘Eye for an eye,’ with ‘Turn the other cheek.’ He replaced loathe with love. Jesus the Christ had not an easy philosophy to follow, yet billions of people have confessed his truth.

Many mere men have changed the world, geniuses such as Plato, Aristotle, Newton, and Einstein. To me, Jesus was the greatest spiritual genius who ever lived and his influence is pervasive even to this day. The historical fact that his immediate disciples committed martyrdom rather than deny Jesus the Christ, whereas other religion's adherents committed murder to promulgate their beliefs, leaves me in astonishing awe. Something wonderful happened to the likes of Peter, Paul, et al.

But therein lies the rub. As I said, “immediate disciples.” The horror of the millions put to death by misguided Christian crusaders throughout the two millennia following Jesus’s life, and the intolerance today toward other's faiths, non-faith, and even other Christians leaves me cold. I’m reminded of Gandhi's famous quote: “I like your Christ, … .” I’m sure you know the rest.

Peace,

Ken