Yes, Christians do dip back into the Old Testament, especially when they don't know enough about the New Testament to support their arguement. And I know you are above holding the opinion of one person against a group of people. If any one DOES NOT WALK IN UNISON it is Christians. At last count there were over 200 denominations. The quotes of Jesus flip back and forth from literal to metaphoric without stop signs or turn signals leaving it hard to follow and easy to abuse.

You look at the Bible in such an interesting way! "Follow me, or else!" Calling you "cowardly" is much too harsh for my demeanor. When the Vietnam war was raging I did not have the courage to volunteer, but when I was drafted I did my duty to the best of my ability. Even leaving the country to escape military service took a degree of courage. Besides no coward discusses topics like religion. I had forgotten that you were married to a Muslim. Shame on me : {

Religion also gives decent people a reason to do good for others. At least the Christian religion is unique in that Jesus is quoted saying "do unto others as you have them do to you". Think of how different the world would be if we all embraced and adhered to that one principle!

I heard an interesting statement from a lovely young lady earlier today. She said that in Jesus "you love other people first before you like them". The love part comes into play in that you will risk your life to save strangers and you give money and time to help people you will probably never know. The like part comes from the relational emphasis of the New Testament rather that the rules oriented emphasis of the Old Testament. As a follower of Jesus you have to love everyone, but you don't have to like them. This is bassackwards to the way we normally think of relationships.

Thank you for this splendid reply and the upvote. I wish we were not an ocean apart. It would be great to sit in a street cafe' and chat about this and other things.