A Letter from Jesus

I need to say that I have had about enough of much of the nonsense that passes for Christianity today. Clearly, I need to clear some things up.

When I said that I have many sheep who are not of this flock, that meant that I had and have sheep who were not Jewish. I was not, however, referring to Christians because there weren't any yet. What's more, I was never a Christian.

When I said many would come to sit at God's table from the east and west, north and south, once again I was not referring Christians because there weren't any yet. I meant people from all over the world, not from any particular religious perspective.

The only people I was ever critical of were religious leaders who sought to entrap people in the bonds of legalism. It had nothing to do with the fact that the Pharisees were Jewish and everything to do with their role as oppressors of the common person - people like a good number of your clergy.

I never taught salvation in the sense that contemporary Christianity teaches it, nor did I teach hell in the way that contemporary Christianity teaches it. If I told you today that everyone goes to heaven, most of your churches would have nothing to talk about.

I did teach social justice and a preferential option for the poor. Get over it and start living it.

I never directed anybody to judge anybody else. Stop it.

When I said you must be born again, I was not referring to a sinner's prayer or any of the nonsense that you people are doing. I was talking about conversion and renewal of life, not ratification of your pre-existing prejudices.

To be quite honest, I don't think you'll pay attention to this letter. You'll find a way to twist yourself out of its requirements just as you do the scriptures.

I still love you.

Jesus