Separation of Church and Hate

1. Jesus: A Radical, Brown-Skinned Jew, Not a White Conservative Mascot

Jesus was: A peaceful, radically nonviolent revolutionary Who wasn’t American and never spoke English Who hung around lepers, hookers, and crooks Never sought tax cuts for rich Nazarenes Was anti-wealth and anti–death penalty Anti–public prayer, too (Matthew 6:5) Never asked lepers for a co-pay Never called poor people “lazy” Never even slightly antigay Never mentioned abortion Supported paying taxes And was a long-haired Community-organizing Authority-questioning Anti-slut-shaming Brown-skinned Palestinian Unarmed Homeless Jew … but only if you believe what’s actually in the Bible.

Reclaiming Jesus. Many modern Christians, particularly those on the right, have created a version of Jesus that aligns with their political and cultural biases, often ignoring what the Bible actually says. This distorted image portrays him as a white, conservative, pro-wealth, anti-immigrant figure, a stark contrast to the historical and biblical accounts. The author, raised in a progressive Catholic family, highlights this disconnect, emphasizing Jesus's true identity and teachings.

A radical figure. Jesus was a first-century, brown-skinned Palestinian Jew who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He was a revolutionary who advocated for the marginalized, the poor, and the outcast, consistently prioritizing love, empathy, and social justice. His ministry was decentralized, focused on personal transformation and a direct relationship with God, rather than rigid dogma or earthly power.

Beyond the fan clubs. The author notes that while he loves Jesus, "some of the fan clubs terrify me." This sentiment underscores the book's core argument: that many who claim to follow Jesus have twisted his message to justify hate, exclusion, and a pursuit of power that Jesus himself rejected. Understanding the authentic Jesus requires looking past these modern interpretations and engaging directly with the biblical text.

2. Paul's Influence: How One Man's Hang-Ups Reshaped Christianity

Everything that passes for homophobia and misogyny in the New Testament comes from Paul—not Jesus.

Paul, the PR man. While Jesus was the "game-changing rock star," Paul was his "hardworking, deeply uptight, conservative PR guy," largely responsible for shaping organized Christianity. A former zealous persecutor of Christians, Paul's conversion led him to spread Jesus's message to Gentiles, often by making it less "Jewish" (e.g., no circumcision, no kosher laws). His letters, written to early Christian communities, became foundational texts.

Personal biases. Paul's writings, though influential, often reflect his personal hang-ups, particularly regarding women and sexuality. Passages like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 ("Women should remain silent in the churches") and Ephesians 5:22-24 ("Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands") have been used for centuries to justify misogyny. Similarly, his views on same-sex relations, often misinterpreted, have fueled homophobia.

"God-breathed" misinterpretation. The phrase "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), written by Paul, referred to the Hebrew scriptures, not his own letters. However, centuries later, when the New Testament canon was established, Paul's letters were included, and his commentary was then applied to his own writings. This human decision has led to 1,600 years of people citing Paul to prove Paul is speaking for God, often overriding Jesus's teachings.

3. Biblical Literalism: A Selective Tool for Prejudice, Not Truth

The Bible has a lot of truth, which is not the same as a lot of facts.

Selective belief. Many fundamentalist Christians claim to take the entire Bible as literal fact, yet selectively ignore passages that contradict their beliefs or modern life. This selective literalism is often used to justify prejudice against LGBTQ+ people or women, while conveniently overlooking commands like giving away possessions to the poor or prohibitions against tattoos and mixed fabrics.

Metaphor and parable. Jesus himself often spoke in parables and metaphors, using stories to convey deeper truths rather than literal facts. The Bible is an anthology of texts, reflecting various authors' beliefs about God, not a single, inerrant book. Literal interpretations often miss the profound spiritual and moral lessons, focusing instead on proving historical or scientific claims that are often contradictory or absurd (e.g., talking snakes, bears killing 42 kids).

Consequences of literalism. Rigid literalism stifles critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, making it a favored tool for religious authoritarians. It leads to exclusivism, where those with differing beliefs are condemned, and rejects scientific understanding (e.g., evolution, climate change). The author humorously points out biblical inconsistencies, such as the two different creation narratives in Genesis, to challenge the notion of absolute literal truth.

4. Jesus Championed Women, Defying Ancient Misogyny

By treating women with equality and dignity, involving them in his ministry, and challenging the gender roles he’d grown up with, Jesus and his New Covenant align with the very modern feminist values of equality, inclusion, and justice.

Challenging norms. In a patriarchal first-century society where women were considered property, unclean, and inferior, Jesus radically broke social codes. He engaged in public conversations with women, taught them, and included them as active disciples in his ministry, defying rabbinic laws. Women like Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Martha played pivotal roles, often supporting his work financially.

Rejecting shame. Jesus consistently refused to shame women for their pasts or circumstances. He had his longest recorded private conversation with the Samaritan woman, who had multiple husbands, without condemnation. He forgave the adulteress, challenging her accusers with "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone." He also affirmed Mary's right to learn over Martha's domestic duties, valuing education for women.

Proto-feminist actions. Jesus's stance on divorce, though seemingly harsh, was proto-feminist for his time. He challenged Moses's laws that allowed men to casually discard wives, advocating for women's safety and stability. His actions and teachings consistently uplifted women, treating them as equals and demonstrating a profound respect that stands in stark contrast to the misogynistic interpretations often found in later Christian traditions.

5. Love Your Neighbor: Jesus Never Condemned LGBTQ+ People

Being gay is natural; hating gay is a lifestyle choice.

Silence on sexuality. Jesus, who spoke extensively on love, forgiveness, and justice, never once condemned same-sex relations. This silence is a critical point, as anti-gay Christians often rely on misinterpretations of Old Testament laws or Paul's letters to justify their prejudice, effectively "going around Jesus." The author argues that Jesus's core commands—"Judge not," "Do unto others," and "Love your neighbor"—preclude homophobia.

Debunking "clobber passages." The book systematically debunks common biblical arguments against LGBTQ+ people:

• Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): This story is about inhospitality and attempted gang rape, not consensual same-sex love. Ezekiel 16:49-50 confirms God's anger was due to arrogance, being overfed, and neglecting the poor.
• Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13: These verses, part of ancient Jewish purity codes, are selectively applied. Christians who cite them for homophobia ignore other "abominations" like eating shellfish or wearing mixed fabrics. Moreover, the New Covenant, established by Jesus, supersedes these Old Testament laws.
• Matthew 19:4-6: Jesus's affirmation of one man, one woman in marriage was in response to a question about heterosexual divorce, not same-sex marriage. In the same chapter, Jesus speaks of "eunuchs who were born that way," implying an innate sexual orientation beyond heterosexual marriage.
• Paul's Letters (Romans 1, 1 Timothy 1, 1 Corinthians 6): The Greek terms used (e.g., arsenokoitai, malakoi) are debated by scholars and likely refer to sexual exploitation or idolatrous practices, not consensual same-sex relationships as understood today. Paul's broader message in Romans 2:1 ("You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else") also condemns judgment.

Inclusivity for all. The Bible never condemns gay women, and the story of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) shows the early church's radical inclusivity for those excluded by traditional laws. Transgender people, a vulnerable minority, also deserve the compassion Jesus commanded.

6. Compassion for the Vulnerable: The Bible Demands Care for Immigrants and the Poor

The God of the Bible consistently takes an unambiguously compassionate stance toward immigrants and strangers.

Divine mandate for hospitality. The Old Testament repeatedly commands the Israelites to treat foreigners with kindness and love, reminding them, "for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt" (Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 10:19, Exodus 22:21). This is an unambiguous call for empathy and justice, directly contradicting modern xenophobic rhetoric.

Jesus's example. Jesus consistently interacted with and helped outsiders, making a despised foreign minority (the Samaritan) the hero of his most famous parable. In Matthew 25:40, he explicitly states that how one treats "the least of these brothers and sisters of mine" (which includes strangers and the poor) is how one treats him. This directly refutes any argument that Christians should prioritize "their own" over others.

Debunking anti-immigrant arguments.

• "Illegals are lawbreakers": Attorney General Jeff Sessions misused Romans 13 to justify separating migrant children, ignoring Paul's preceding command to "extend hospitality to strangers" (Romans 12:13). Moreover, seeking asylum is a legal right.
• "God wants borders" (Tower of Babel): This story is about human pride, not God's desire for segregated nations. The scattering of languages created diversity, which is presented as part of God's plan.
• "Build a wall" (Nehemiah): Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem's walls for protection, not to keep out immigrants. This Old Testament story is irrelevant to Jesus's teachings, who himself was a refugee in Egypt.

7. Life's Sacredness: Jesus Opposed the Death Penalty and Never Banned Abortion

It’s almost impossible to imagine a death penalty abolitionist being elected to our nation’s highest office. And yet capital punishment is one of the most directly anti-Jesus policies any government could enforce.

Abortion: A modern Christian obsession. The Bible never directly mentions or prohibits abortion, a practice known in Jesus's time. Jesus never condemned women who terminated pregnancies. The Old Testament (Exodus 21:22-25) treats the loss of a fetus as a financial matter, not equivalent to killing a person, and defines life as beginning with the first breath (Genesis 2:7).

Biblical inconsistencies on life. While "Thou shalt not kill" is a commandment, the Bible also describes God commanding or permitting the death penalty for numerous offenses (e.g., blasphemy, working on the Sabbath, disrespectful children) and even the death of infants and pregnant women in warfare (Hosea 13:16, Numbers 31:17-18). The "Test for an Unfaithful Wife" (Numbers 5:11-31) even describes a ritual that induces miscarriage.

Jesus rejected retribution. Jesus explicitly overturned the "eye for an eye" principle in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-39), advocating for nonviolence, mercy, and forgiveness. His intervention in the case of the adulteress (John 8:1-11), where he challenged, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone," is a direct rejection of capital punishment and a call for redemption over retribution.

8. Rejecting Violence: Jesus Was Not a Warrior, Nor Pro-Gun

His literal last words to his apostles: reminding them how much he disapproves of violence, even in self-defense.

Nonviolent revolutionary. Jesus was a nonviolent revolutionary who consistently rejected earthly power and armed conflict. When the crowd tried to make him king by force after feeding the multitudes, he withdrew. His ministry was one of peace, love, and faith in God, not Glocks.

Misinterpreting "buy a sword." The popular right-wing Christian argument that Jesus told his disciples to "sell your cloak and buy a sword" (Luke 22:36) is taken out of context. Jesus was referring to a prophecy from Isaiah, indicating they needed to "look the part" of criminals for his impending arrest. Immediately after, when Peter draws a sword to defend him, Jesus rebukes him, heals the wounded man, and states, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).

The "Warrior Jesus" myth. The concept of an "Alpha-Bro Christ" or "Warrior Jesus" is a modern invention, a product of male insecurity and political agendas, designed to sidestep Jesus's core teachings of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This militarized image, often drawn from the apocalyptic Book of Revelation, contradicts the humble, compassionate carpenter of the Gospels.

9. Beyond the Clique: Jesus Embraced All, Not Just Christians

If you’re elevating yourself above others based on your belief in Jesus, then you don’t actually believe in Jesus. His movement’s 100 percent about humility.

Scapegoating's biblical roots. The term "scapegoat" originates from Leviticus 16, where a goat symbolically carried the sins of the Israelites into the wilderness. This practice highlights how innocent individuals or groups are often blamed for the sins of others, a pattern seen throughout history in religious prejudice.

Anti-Semitism: A historical betrayal. Blaming Jews for Jesus's death ("deicide") is a historical lie that has fueled centuries of persecution, culminating in the Holocaust. The Bible clearly shows that Roman authorities, not Jews, were primarily responsible for Jesus's execution. Jesus himself was a Jew, sought to reform Judaism from within, and never renounced his faith. Modern Christian support for Israel is often rooted in end-times prophecies, not genuine care for Jewish people.

Islamophobia and atheism. Christian fundamentalists often demonize Muslims, claiming they worship a "false God" or "hate Christianity." However, Islam reveres Jesus as a prophet and shares the same monotheistic God as Judaism and Christianity. Similarly, atheists are often labeled "fools" based on misinterpretations of Psalm 14:1, despite Jesus's teachings of universal love and Pope Francis's assertion that even atheists can be redeemed through good deeds.

10. White Supremacy: An Anti-Christian Heresy

No one can serve both Christ and white supremacy. It’s not merely un-Christian; it is anti-Christian.

Contradicting divine image. White supremacy, the belief in the superiority of white people, directly contradicts the core Christian theological principle that all humans are made in the Imago Dei (Genesis 1:27)—the image of God. Jesus consistently commanded love for all people, especially the persecuted and marginalized, and his teachings promote radical unity, not division based on race.

Slavery and segregation. For centuries, American Christians used biblical interpretations to justify slavery and later, segregation. The "Curse of Ham" (Genesis 9:20-24), a deeply manipulative and racist misinterpretation, was used to claim God sanctioned the enslavement of Black people. Similarly, segregation was preached as God's "natural order." These arguments were theological frauds, directly opposed to Jesus's Golden Rule ("Do to others as you would have them do to you").

Modern white victimhood. Today, many white Christians feel they are victims of racism and that Christianity is "under attack," despite their continued dominance in American society. This narrative fuels Christian nationalism, a movement seeking to impose a narrow, white-centric religious identity on the nation. This fear of becoming a minority drives a dangerous, delusional, and often armed, form of prejudice that is fundamentally anti-Christian.

Last updated: January 29, 2026