Imperialist v Itinerant

Say good-bye to 2025...finally! I refuse to review what has come to pass in America. But, before fast forwarding into 2026, I am looking way way way back to the first year--- A.D. ---the year of our Lord.

In that year, we are told in many ways through different faith traditions that Jesus arrived in the world. Whatever version you subscribe to, the story told is one of an itinerant man who wandered with a mission. He was not a missionary, per se, like those who arrived later aboard ships from elsewhere with the intention of converting native peoples. Jesus was an itinerant wanderer with a message meant for every person --- not just some---for all. The message, if you think back as far as memory serves to what you learned early on, or later on, is to love God and your neighbor. What in the world, in this world of ours, does that actually look like in 2025? Enter the imperialists.

Imperialists have had many names since Jesus' time: Herod, Caesar, Constantine, Byzantines, Roman Empire right up to today, (fill in the blanks) each crusading to eliminate or align with the itinerant message of love. Those opposed to it murdered their neighbors, those in support did the same. Either way, conflating the two serves a very different purpose.

Leaving aside those who vehemently oppose the message as false, what remains are those who are neutral (?), and others who adamantly support the message of love your neighbor taught by one itinerant soul two thousand plus years ago. In the name of Jesus, Christians claim this message as their own: Love your neighbor, as yourself --- no exceptions. Okay, so far, but taking that itinerant's message on the road looks nothing like what it says. Imperialists have added caveats:

Love your neighbor --- except LGBTQ.

Love your neighbor --- except dark skinned ones.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are poor.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are up North.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are down South.

Love your neighbor --- except those who believe in Allah.

Allah, the other name for God is used by nearly two billion Muslims the world over for nearly as long. Imperialists have fought with swords, with guns, with bombs---even this Christmas Day--- against these neighbors---these believers in God. Loving your neighbor is non-negotiable. It cannot be parsed out to mean this neighbor, but not that one --- this country, but not those others.

What happened along the way throughout the story of the itinerant one is imperialists hijacked the original message. Imperialists believe less in love your neighbor and more in love My country--- but not yours! In other words: ME FIRST---And only those like me.

How else can you justify dropping bombs from the heavens on unnamed neighbors on the very day celebrated as the birthday of the itinerant one who said we are to love our neighbors? How else can you justify allowing children to starve to death in a country far from your own and in your own? How else can you believe in rights for some men, but not for all women around the world? This argument does not stand up against the truth that loving our neighbor was and is the only message and whole point to the itinerant wanderer's story. Take a look at this message in action in 2025 A.D.