Why has God allowed religion to be so tribal?

[Jason118]

There is so much solid teachings in religious dogma and so many warm and kind people who practice. Why has it all come to this, or was it ever thus?

Fwiw, i recently read the parable in Luke, where the rich man prepares a feast and invites his friends. When the feast is ready, he calls them but, one by one, they make their excuses. He then instructs his servant to bring anyone he can find on the street, from vagrants to passers by, and bring them in. He then shuts the door and the feast starts.
I believe that that is a clear message that God's word and salvation is open to everyone. You just have to attend.
And who was the 1st person baptised by the apostles? The eunuch steward of the Ethiopian queen. Not exactly tribal.

Once more a single biblical text used to justify an argument; a theists pick an' mix

I dont understand the following....Why did Christ die for my sins? I didnt ask him too.
How can a baby be sinful?

How can Christian churches welcome people of other faiths or none ( for example toddler group, help with refugees)....and know that they are basically stuffed and going to hell?

I've never understood this whole 'sacrificed his son so that our sins can be forgiven' thing either. We still sin, and can ask forgiveness (and get it) - I understand that, but I don't see what Jesus dying on a cross changed.

As for welcoming other faiths - that's far easier. We're all going to die anyway, but we still extend a helping hand to others, regardless of faith (or we at least do it sometimes).
Also, in the process of welcoming people, the church would like you to join them and find faith (their faith). Regardless of good intention, ultimately if they really believe you're going to hell unless you come with them to heaven, and if they really care about you - they'll be wanting to persuade you for the rest of their lives. How much pressure they apply is another matter, and many will never apply pressure, but it's what they want from you ultimately - to find religion.

My bad. I thought the op was a sincere question.

It is a sincere question - my original post was to try and understand why for all the good and well meaning people within religions, why there is so much hate, vitriol and torment.

It's arrogant to think that you and only you have the right God and way. Even in the main religions have been schism,disagreements and splits over what mean what and which way to follow.
It's even more arrogant to believe in an all knowing,all understand and encompassing God and then claim to understand his wishes/will so accurately that you MUST be right.

@Jason118 because religion is a tool used by humans and like with everything else used by humans it can be good,bad and everything in between. And like all tools used by humans on an individual level is mostly good,but on a global level is mostly bad.

I disagree Rebel, it's like saying you're arrogant for believing the love of your life is a great person.
If you believe in your God, then of course you believe that God is the correct one. I don't find that arrogant, just misguided.

I don't they object to other gods, they just don't believe in them, and think they are wrong, in the same way a Vegan thinks eating meat is wrong, but they accept that other people choose to do the 'wrong' thing.

Maybe we have different views of arrogance. I just see it as hopelessly misguided, well intentioned, but misguided, which could be seen as my own arrogance I guess!

From my pov, you asked why God allowed us to be tribal. I gave you an example where I felt the opposite was indicated and you dismissed my answer. Despite what you obviously think, I don't believe I have a hot line to all the answe rs, I'm stumbling along like everyone else. but, hey, feel free to dismiss the opinions that you asked for.

..And it's two bits of the Bible, not one.

Ok maybe I was dismissive, but quoting from an old book doesn't explain the current and historical tribal nature and lack of empathy, particularly when your two quotes suggest that christianity shouldn't be tribal.

@TornFromTheInside I can actually see your point of view. I actually think it's the same as me, I'm just harsher I guess.
To use your analogy,it's not just thinking that the love of my life is a great person,it's thinking that everyone should find a person just like him,whomever doesn't is wrong and their relationship is doomed and banging on why he's better than your partner/husband. It's trying to convince others to leave their current partner and find one like mine.

Also, in the process of welcoming people, the church would like you to join them and find faith

This is so odd to me. How many Muslims who attend a playgroup or drop in session are going to jump ship and become Christians?

They aren't going to convert, and I think a church accepts that, but their 'aim' is to get more people into the church and a percentage might want to learn more or attend a service etc.. they know lots won't, but some is better than none.
Plus, it's a good thing to do anyway.

I honestly don't think it's odd. Most religions like to welcome others in a show of friendship despite different faiths.

I don't think many churches (certainly not Christian ones) beat on about other religions being wrong - it's far more subtle than that.
Of course they beat on about how theirs is the one true good, which implies the rest are wrong, but they don't advertise it so blatantly.

These 'inter-faith' things seem designed to show how friendly different religions are, but ultimately they all think each other is wrong.

Lucy- your point makes perfect sense and was a good answer. Christianity is not tribal it's open to everyone and brings lots of different people together in faith from all walks of life.

"It's arrogant to think that you and only you have the right God and way. Even in the main religions have been schism,disagreements and splits over what mean what and which way to follow."

This is nonsense- you either believe or you don't, how is it arrogant? You can't believe in all religions just to appease people.
Only one religion can be true or all false- because the teachings of the religions are fundamentally different.
You've basically said you find it arrogant to hold a belief that excludes other beliefs that people feel are untrue. People are entitled to hold their own belief, without being called arrogant.

For instance the Jews think Christ existed and was a false prophet.
The muslims say that Christ was a prophet but not the son of god. That he did not die on the cross. That the bible is corrupt and that Mohammed came to correct the corruptions.
Christian teaching therefore in conflict with the other religions.
But Judaism and Islam do not deny christs existance.
Either Christ died on the cross for our sins or he didn't. You believe or you don't.

I said before what I believe in. If it turns out I'm wrong(because I accept the possibility)...oh well at least I haven't killed,maimed,oppressed,shunned or just generally be a dick to someone because of what I believe in.(talking as a group not individual level).

Well, what if some religions or denominations have made a mix of interpretations, some right, some wrong? So they each have truths and falsehoods,or mistakes?

@TornFromTheInside I think you are closer to the truth than you think.

"Well, what if some religions or denominations have made a mix of interpretations, some right, some wrong? So they each have truths and falsehoods,or mistakes?"

I agree Tom, but for the differences between Christianity, Judaism and Islam are irreconcilable, for the aforementioned reasons,

Only one can be right. Or none. But the theological diffences don't allow much room on the fence for sitting.

Right about what?
Right about Jesus' role?
Right about morality?
Right about any afterlife or heaven?
Right about women's place in the church?
Right about homosexuality?

You suggest only one can be right in the sense of some universal right. I think you actually mean you believe the Christian view of Jesus and God and The Holy Spirit, but what about the teachings of the Bible? Christians themselves can barely agree.

Yes there are divisions within faiths on theological points but core belief of each of the major faiths are fundamentally different.

I think it's perfectly credible that I might be mistaken torn. But so what? Why do you (and other posters) have a problem with what other people believe? It's a long time since Christianity was mandatory.
My faith is in counterpoise with my doubt. But it works for me.
It seems utterly perverse for posters to ask theists about their thoughts, only to call them arrogant when they oblige.