The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

And how we love our neighbors is by not hurting them and doing good to them when we can. The instructions in the Bible (in the Ten Commandments) tell humans what not to do so they don't hurt others. Stealing, lying, messing around with other people's spouses, etc. hurt others. When we obey the Ten Commandments, we obey the command of loving our neighbors as ourselves."

I have been thinking when and how the Israelis and Palestinians can use these commandments. So far, they go by "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" policy, and the vicious circles continue on. I was born and grew up in the southern part of Thailand where 90% of the population (in the southern part of the country) are Muslims. I can tell you if you don't want to die, don't mess with a Muslim. I hope and pray Israel can finish what they feel they have to do or want to do and both sides teach their own people to love God and love their neighbors (including their enemies as Jesus taught them). But neither of them believe Jesus is God and gave the New Testament. So I just hope the war will be over soon.

But neither of them believe...

but but but? I believe. sweeping statements like this are often misguided and also just wrong. Every person no matter who they are, and according to scripture, (God's word not mine or yours) that there are saved among every tribe nation and religion. And though most ppl consider me "christian" i dont. if anything i am a messianic Jew, not by heritage but certainly by adoption.

ppl seldom ask me but when they do ask, "what religion to you belong to?" No religion. "the religion God desires is to look after orphans and widows" James 1:27 the full version of what i am? My God is "I am who I am" 3:14and i am HIS. I am HIS redeemed. I am HIS righteous child, made righteous by HIM for HIS name's sake. I am bought at a price, therefore I honor my God with my body,1 Corinthians 6:20 I present it to HIM as a living and holy sacrifice, which is my spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 I am HIS, and HE IS SPIRIT. for HE declares in HIs word, "God is spirit and desires worshippers who worship HIm in spirit and in truth" John 4:23-24

draino - I read recently that Islam and Judaism teach that it is okay to do what is called "Just war" and that to the Jews, Jesus was a teacher, not God. Some Christians (who believe the New Testament is God's words) support the "just war" ethics while some do not support wars.

I don't know much about Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah. I think Jews and Muslims are basically peaceful people. As for the Muslims, the problem is the terrorists. And the problem with the Jews is many seem to think it is okay to kill to possess the promised land. The point you made, however, is "There are saved among every tribe nation and religion." I hope we are on the same page here.

You wrote "The religion God desires is to look after orphans and widows." I think this is in both the Old and New Testaments. I am pretty sure most Jews do not believe Jesus is God. Whether Jews need to accept Jesus as their savior in order to be "saved" I won't get into this right now. What I was saying is people who don't believe Jesus is God will not take Jesus' teachings as God's words, and from my knowledge, the Jews and Muslims don't believe Jesus is God so they (the terrorists) seem to go by the Old Testament (Torah and Koran) only when it comes to wars.

Personally, I believe "turning the other cheek" is what Jesus teaches which is God's ideal conduct and attitude for believers but it is not an easy thing to do. I could be wrong, I think maybe you said people who have not received Jesus as their Savior can be saved. When I first changed my belief from Buddhism to Protestant Christianity when I was 20 years old and lived in Thailand at the time, I was taught by churches that the only way to Salvation is through accepting Jesus as God (God's Son) who died for humans' sins so they won't be separated from God after they die. I was surprised to find out later that some (Protestant) Christians and Catholics believe people can be saved without going through Jesus (meaning accepting Him as their Savior and God). My husband and daughter are not Christians so I am one of those who will be so happy to adopt that theology. If you ask me now whether I think Jesus is the only Way (to salvation), my answer is the Bible seems to say so (in the New Testament) but maybe the other teaching is correct. Both can't be correct.

I believe Jesus is against all types of violence including killing in wars. Again, I could be wrong on that. I personally will not volunteer to go to a war zone to kill and am glad I don't have to. When I was asked the question in the interview to obtain the U.S. citizenhsip "Will you be willing to go to war to protect America?" My answer is "I hope so." I was about 40 at the time and had lived in the U.S. since I was 25. I felt if I answer "no" to that question, it could affect the approval of my citizenship request. I am 68 years old now and will turn 69 next month and I am in very bad health. Going to any war zone to kill U.S.'s enemies is out of the question. By the way, I am okay with the case of self-defense but only when someone is right in front of me with a weapon directed at me and I have something to use to fight back. I have mixed feelings about Israel's present plan, not that I side with the other side but I believe they do what they feel God approves. I have no opinion right now on whether God wants them to do it differently. The war issue is I think a complicated matter since the leaders of countries are dealing with the wellbeing of people in the whole country, and some leaders of some countries are evil and have different definitions of what evil is. I apologize for offending you. Being a Christian does not mean the person always does the right thing but if a Christian obeys the Bible, as they say, a goal is to "be like Jesus." In general cases, Christians should not agree to kill premeditatedly.

I am glad we can have this conversation. I hope you and everyone in the group have a good and safe day today. Please feel free to post and reply. There are not many conversations in the group right now due to few members left. God bless you.