Christ, one of the many we invented, has become the property of far right or conservatives
His teachings ignored and his people down trodden

So... You've all probably read me write this. But I'll say it again anyways. Religions are not the same.

With that in mind, generic questions bundling all religions together as if they are the same are nonsense questions with no one answer. Each religion has it's own answer. There's no generic answer for all of them. Another question could be asked "why do people go to war? If you want real answers you have to ask the specific people that went to war. Same concept applies here.

On that note, I can only speak on account of the divisiveness that I've seen that relates to Christianity. I don't know if Hindus think they are superior, or Buddhist, or any other religion, and neither would I know why they would think they are or aren't. That's for someone who is within each religion to know a better.

For Christianity, there are a few divisive aspects. But before exploring those, it's worth noting that there are also many welcoming and including elements as well. Love your neighbor, look after the poor, the sick, the widowed, the stranger (immigrant), even those in prison. If you want divisiveness though, I'll tell you what I can.

The first thing that is divisive is the message to turn from your sins. No one wants to hear this in fact Jesus commented on it that the world hates him because He confronts them of their sins. With this in mind the first element of divisiveness is in that the message in Christianity isn't one anyone wants to hear. Turn from your sins, repent, and turn to God. A second part of the Christian message to the world is not divisive at all, but after hearing the first part no one wants the second one. "God loves you."

This aspect of turning from your sins has the first condition of facing your wrongs, and that they are wrong and unjustified. Rarely does anyone do this on their own without being drug to the conclusion after seeing the results. And even then there are excuses people make.

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Second part of the divisiveness is in the fact that no one is perfect, and people generally get bitter when that's pointed out. If I tell you to turn from your sins, you can say right back "right back at ya" and it gets more personal after that. Same goes if I say "you're wrong," a similar response is often thrown back.

This leads to a third aspect of divisiveness. Christianity actually says there's such a thing as truth, as well as saying about a right and wrong morally. The truth is not relative and something to squabble about as if truth is as feeble as opinion, popularity, or slant. There actually is such a thing as truth. The issue here is that people disagree with what the truth is, and that creates division. Between Christians and nonchristians, and among Christians as well. None the less the high standard here is "don't lie." Even if you don't know the truth about one thing or another, don't lie to make your case sound better.

Last aspect of divisiveness that I can think of that relates to Christianity is that Christianity doesn't claim to be one of many ways. Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the Light. No one come to God except through Jesus. This basically goes further then pointing out wrongs, and standing for truth but also says that if you're not Christian you aren't going to get to God. The only way is with Jesus.

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Is Mise,

What do our beliefs have to do with you?

Or yours with us?

You're more than welcome to your beliefs.
As we are to ours.

BTW: I also believe in Christ and his teachings,
and in life after death. I just don't feel the
inclination to try to convert anyone - or find my
beliefs superior to anyone else's.

Live and let live.

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After all of that the issue of divisiveness stands on the fact that Christianity isn't accepted. Which unfortunately goes back to the aspect of divisiveness when people get bitter and angry at each other for saying they are wrong or because they weren't listened to. Christians get bitter at nonchristians bitter or dismissive attitude, and nonchristians get bitter and angry at the message of Christianity.

With that in mind one issue of division can be placed at your feet as well as any religion. Why do you reject this religion or that religion. Your reaction is actually just as divisive as the perceived divisiveness of religion as a whole. For example, I reject Islam, Buddhism, Wiccan, and many other religions and other philosophies. Because I reject it it causes division. Just as much as rejecting someone else's politics causes division.

That all said, Christianity has another aspect that is the opposite of divisiveness. It is not racist, has no boundaries from social class, speaks about being welcoming as well as forgiveness, mercy and grace. These aspects are far from divisive.

Dear NNS,

Christianity - "welcoming, forgiving, mercy and grace..."
and not being divisive?"

You left out - except if you happen to be gay, want to
get married, raise children, attend a Christian school, or
teach at a Christian school, and the list goes on.