Love thy neighbor as you would thyself

QED

There is a big big difference between proclaiming "I believe Jesus is the path to Salvation" and saying "you are going to hell as you don't believe what I do."

Interfaith dialogue can never be allowed to take a "my belief is better than yours approach" Jesus would not do that. Jesus didn't tell the apostles to drop their belief structures overnight. He showed them Love and said follow me. That is also what we must do.

I obviously read that passage very very differently than you do and this is a big issue with scripture. my interpretation of the whole verse - I try not to take these things out of context, would be: I am sending you out to continue my work. you already know the nice stuff about loving thy neighbor and healing the sick, but let me tell you it is going to be hard work. People won't like your ideas, people will hate you and argue amongst themselves about what you have to say.

Remember most of Jesus' teaching was in parables. This obviously isn't a parable but I believe Jesus is "steeling his disciples" for a lifetime of hard work.

Let me ask you Mr Soldier

Do you own anything more than the clothes on your back?
Do you have a bank account?

How then would you interpret Mathew 10: 9-10?

9 "Don't take any money with you.

10 Don't carry a traveler's bag with an extra coat and sandals or even a walking stick. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

The Bible is a way to understand God's word, but it was written in God's language not ours yes it is the literal word of God but I doubt (although who am I to say I understand Gods ways) that we are meant to take it literally. - I too can selectively pick and choose Gods words to suit my own ends.

I believe this thread was supposed to be about sharing our beliefs in a positive non judgmental way. I hope that it remains so.