Vertical versus Horizontal Christianity

An Explanation for the Hateful Actions of Christian Extremists

I read the most interesting article recently about Christianity and the extreme differences in beliefs and practices within the religion.  I had never before heard the terms vertical or horizontal applied to Christianity before, and it went a long way in explaining so many things I’ve never understood. 

I’m no longer a Christian for several reasons, but that doesn’t mean I hate Christianity and all the people who practice it.  Although I don’t agree with everything Christians do or believe, I know a lot of Christians who are very good people and who do their best to follow the teachings of Jesus, which are based in love and kindness to others.  They’ve done a lot of good both individually and as a group, within their churches and outside of them.  Unfortunately, these are not the people who make the news, and the media loves to report the obnoxious, hateful bigotry and persecution within the religion, which gives all Christians a bad name. 

You know the stories I’m talking about.  The evangelical extremists who want the Ten Commandments posted and the Bible taught in public school classrooms without regard for non-Christian students and teachers, not to mention non-Christian tax payers who help pay for education.  Then, there are the hate-filled sermons that are posted on social media that advocate imprisoning, violence, and even killing members of the LGBTQ+ community, non-Christians, especially Muslims these days, minorities, immigrants, and basically anyone who is different from them, simply because their lifestyles are contrary to their interpretation of the Bible, a book they profess to follow literally and absolutely.  And they all quote the Bible to excuse and support their beliefs and actions.  We have Christian nationalists and politicians who want to base policy and law on their religious beliefs, personal or paid for, including banning abortions, making divorce exceedingly difficult, and abusing their powers for their own twisted agendas.  And then, there’s MAGA. 

Every time I encounter such hate-filled messages, I have to wonder, if these people believe the Bible and consider it the ultimate source for guidance and law, how can they behave that way, when the man they call God preached love and acceptance?  I see a lot of biblical quotes from the Old Testament in a bid to support these abhorrent beliefs, but the quotes from Jesus, their Messiah and the Son of God, who they worship, are seemingly overlooked. 

Jesus said not to judge, unless you wanted to be judged.  He said the second most important commandment was much like the first, which is to love God, and it was to love your neighbor as you love yourself, and He didn’t differentiate between neighbors.  He saved an adulteress from being stoned to death by suggesting that the one among her persecutors who was without sin should cast the first stone.  His parables included one about the Good Samaritan, a member of one of the most hated and condemned groups of that time.  He spent time with, healed, and welcomed the most marginalized people of the age.  One has to wonder how anyone who says they follow the Bible could condone the behaviors of the zealots who preach and follow violence and persecution against others, whether they consider their targets sinners or not. 

I recently saw a clip of Charlie Kirk (rest in peace) taking on Miss Rachel of YouTube early childhood fame, criticizing her for citing her Christian faith as the reason she wished people a Happy Pride Week.  She said she loved everyone and used a biblical quote attributed to Jesus about loving your neighbor, and Kirk took exception to her statement, quoting Deuteronomy and Leviticus, both books credited to Moses, which he interpreted as condemning the LGBTQ+ community. 

All of those passages exist in the Bible, but I remember thinking at the time, “So, Moses, an important prophet no doubt, trumps Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, and one part of the Holy Trinity?”   Shouldn’t Jesus’ words overpower Moses’?  Shouldn’t people assume that He had greater authority, not to mention He came long afterwards, and maybe things had changed since then, needed a revision, some amendments to the previous laws?  And if not, wouldn’t that mean that Jesus, the Son, was being disrespectful to God, the Father, for contradicting the previously accepted laws given to Moses, even after stating that the greatest commandment was to love God with all you have?  Does anyone else see the inconsistencies here?

Anyway, back to the article about vertical vs. horizontal morality with regard to Christianity.  The way it was explained follows, including notable quotes from the Huff Post article, Vertical Morality Might Describe Why MAGA Christians Seem So Unchristian, written by Caroline Bologna:

Vertical morality in Christianity is the idea that our ethics and behaviors have a duty to please God alone.  We get our morals from God and we must obey Him, furthering the will of God no matter the cost.

Horizontal morality prioritizes the well-being of our neighbors, communities and personal relationships.  We act in ways that cause the least amount of harm to those around us, regardless of beliefs.  Someone with vertical morality may help someone in need because they believe that’s what God wants them to do, versus someone with horizontal morality may help that same person for the benefit of the person that needs help.

Rather than unquestioning obedience and superficial optics, [horizontal morality] focuses on genuine empathy, compassion and love toward others, recognizing the actual effects our actions have on people.

“I think both are important in the Christian faith but a lot of people today get hung up on the vertical as a priority and forget about the horizontal altogether,”(quote attributed to Malynda Hale). 

… the most Christ-like approach is to hold a position of horizontal authority, because doing so also subscribes to vertical morality.

“In Matthew 25, Jesus describes people who fed and clothed those in need, who welcomed the stranger, who took care of the sick and visited those in prison … [and Jesus then says] ‘What you did for the least of these, you did for me.’  He equates loving our neighbors (horizontal morality) with loving Christ (vertical morality).”

“Evangelicals are taught that all morality comes from God and therefore true goodness can only be spread by obeying God, even if it harms people around us, … This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if pleasing God manifests by following the teachings of Jesus – loving our neighbors, loving our enemies, promoting peace …”

“But today’s conservative Christianity is less influenced by Jesus and more by the Old Testament and Paul.”

 

Again, while Paul is a very important figure in the Bible who is well-known as a persecutor of Christians before he converted, he’s not considered to be God, as Jesus is, so shouldn’t Jesus’ teachings overshadow Paul and the Old Testament?  Since quotes from the Bible are a big part of this article, what about Matthew 3:17, which quotes God as saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” which is considered by many to be the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.   So, shouldn’t that be a testimony to follow His teachings?  If not, wouldn’t His teachings be considered as disrespectful to God the Father, who endorsed Him?  Surely, God knew His heart and intentions, right?  It's not like Jesus changed his focus and intentions after being baptized.

This is not an attempt to attack or discredit Christians and Christianity, truly.  I’m honestly trying to understand the thought process behind some of the actions being taken by people who label themselves as Christians but who don’t follow the teachings of Jesus.  However, while I now have a better understanding of where they might be coming from, I still find their thought processes faulty, and for some, convenient, used as an excuse for their horrible, hateful behavior.  Again, it seems to me that the man they believe to be God should have authority over all other prophets and contrary scripture with regard to what He taught and preached.  I’m with you, Miss Rachel.  We should try to love everybody, whether they’re like us, or not.  When Jesus said to love our neighbors as ourselves, He didn’t single out or exclude anyone, even those who crucified Him, praying for them to be forgiven.  If we’re to love others as we love ourselves, we wouldn’t exclude ourselves, right?  We would include ourselves, as we should include everyone else. 

If nothing else, Christians believe that God will judge everyone at some point, and we’ve been told that we should NOT judge others, so why not leave the judgment to God and let people live the lives they choose, as long as they don’t harm others?  Who is without “sin” here?  Who is qualified to judge and condemn others?  According to Jesus, no one.  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, remember?

I channel the Archangels, and usually, I post a message from them on Fridays, which was my original intention when I started writing this, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll suffice it to say that they, along with Yeshua (Jesus), who I’ve also channeled, are against hateful, harmful speech and actions, no matter who is being persecuted, whatever the reason, and no matter what religion you profess to follow.  I think we’d all be better off focusing on our own lives, rather than anyone else’s.  I’ve written before that neither the Archangels nor Yeshua support persecution of others in any form, and they love all people, regardless of religious affiliation.  While religious zealots are busy excluding and attacking others, the Angels have assured us time and again that we are all loved unconditionally. 

Final Thoughts

This article was intended not to offend, but to enlighten and help people understand better where others are coming from, and if it offends, I’m sorry.  I’ve been writing publicly for several years, and I’ve certainly had my share of criticism, especially from people who consider themselves Christians.  The Archangel messages I share, while always hopeful and loving, are sometimes contrary to some religious beliefs and interpretations, and there have been many who have taken exception to them and to me. 

From the beginning, I’ve always suggested taking what resonates and leaving the rest.  Still, I’ve had to block a handful of people after they’ve condemned me to hell (a concept I don’t believe in anymore), called me names, etc.  One guy even told me I’d be damned twice – is that a thing?  I thought being condemned to hell was eternal, so I’m not sure someone can be condemned to hell twice, unless they have some kind of probation program that I would not qualify for?  Anyway, spare me the insults, name-calling, and condemnation, along with having to block you.  We can always agree to disagree, yeah?  I wish you all well, and I hope someday, if you’re one who persecutes others, you reevaluate your behavior and question your interpretation of your faith, giving Jesus the respect He deserves, but whether you do or not is not my responsibility.  That’s up to you. 

If you’re interested in joining my Friday night meditation group with the Archangels, all the neighbors, all over the world, are invited, no exceptions or exclusions whatsoever.  Just call on the Archangels from wherever you are, whenever you’re available, and add your good thoughts, intentions, and energy to the group, so the Angels can distribute it where it’s needed most.  The intention for the month of October is Compassion, another thing Jesus preached.  The Archangels need our help in sending compassionate energy out to the world, again, to include everyone, even those who do not practice it or seem to know what it means.

Have a wonderful, loving weekend!

Blessings, all.