It doesn't matter if you have the true religion when your works are evil

I had a very positive and thoughtful religious discussion with a Muslim recently and I was wanting to share some of my thoughts on the blog because it helped me define exactly what I do and don't believe. However, before I do that I just wanted to share my conclusion. I don't care what religion is true. If you have the true religion and you're an as**hole, your still just an as*hole. In fact you're a hypocrite which is worse than an infidel. My point is, actions speak louder than words. 

In one of Bruce Lee's movies he explained a shortened version of a Zen parable. The full version is this. A student asked his wise master what is the moon? The wise sage thought the best way for the student to understand what the moon is was to experience it for himself. So he raised his hand and pointed to the moon so the student would look at what he was pointing to. 

The student had so much awe and respect for his teacher that when he saw the master raise his had he only looked at his masters finger and said ah ha, that is the moon. He was supposed to look at what the finger was pointing to but he missed the mark and misunderstood the intent. 

Likewise, many people get stuck looking at the Bible or some other holy book and forget to look at what that holy book is pointing to. As soon as people start arguing over religion, they completely miss the point of religion. 

Obviously that's not what we are seeing now. Right now Israel is persecuting everyone - Christian or Muslim, regardless of their religion. My point is, say the Jews do have the true religion. Right now they are acting like Satan so the true religion will not save them. It will simply condemn them.

In Matthew 23 Christ confronted the religious leaders at the time calling them liars hypocrites and extortionists. He said because their actions were evil, the true religion did not save them and went so far as to conclude that they had become children of the Devil instead of children of God. That is what we are now witnessing in Lebanon, Gaza and with the flotilla. 

In the parable of the sheep and goats Christ said many will say at the last day Lord, Lord did we not do many mighty works in your name? He will respond to them depart from me ye workers of iniquity. I never knew you. The true religion did not save them if their works were evil. That's my point. Actions speak louder than words. My Muslim friend agreed and shared many verses from the Quran that said have faith and do good.  

So it's not rocket science. Obsessing over the true religion is pointless if your works are evil. We should all therefore simply focus on doing good. That includes sanctioning Israel and denouncing Netanyahu's atrocities. So mote it be.