Christianity Sects

Since its inception "Christianity" has divided itself into sects. Initially broad geographical sects, for the past thousand or so years, they've divided themselves further and further into more discrete dogmas. They each call themselves "Christian", but not those other guys. They are not "real" Christians, each group says of the other. 

The generally accepted beliefs of "Christians" as a whole is a father god, a spirit or ghost god, and a son god as 3 personas of one supernatural entity. Except even that isn't accurate. Some accept the son as an aspect of a trinity, some accept the son as a human teacher or preacher. To cover those who do not accept the son as part of a multi-faceted whole, the "Christian" label has been expanded to include those who just accept the father god alone (no, IDK how that dichotomy works in their heads; this would include followers of Islam too, in case no one has realized that). "Christianity" now includes those who think 'hell' is a real place, ruled by the devil (by several names) and those who think 'hell' is a metaphor or allegory. Heaven is simply not hell, or it is a place of great joy(?) dedicated to celebrating the magnificence of the father god(?) or where everyone has a mansion and streets are paved with gold. Gay people should be stoned or just can't marry or yes they can marry... and suddenly you have a new sect of Methodist (I think it was) just a couple years ago. You know these updates were made so "the church" could claim a wider following than it has (i.e., make the church seem more inclusive, more relevant, more important than it is). 

Maybe we should just call any supernatural deity people "believers" instead of "Christian". But oh no, that's not okay because I believe in a different supernatural entity than you do, yours is wrong (LOL)! Some 'christians' call the universe itself 'god'. Unfortunately, the sects will, and have, gone to war over these differences; have used armies and government policies to silence critics and try to force their specific views on everyone. 

My real point is How do they all call themselves 'christian', claim this is a 'christian nation', founded on 'christian values', and that we are all obligated to follow a 'christian' way of life? They can't even agree among themselves what a 'christian' is. They can't come to agreement on what set of beliefs is common to 'the christians'. 

Yet a minor subgroup of 'christians' has gotten their god into the U.S. legislature and its laws.  That's why we have a 'national day of prayer'. That's why we have 'under god' and 'in god we trust' in our national symbols. That's why gay people, black people, even females must constantly fight to have our voices heard and our rights respected -- because their god said white men are superior to everyone. Do you care who your neighbor loves or marries? Do you care whether your neighbor births a baby or not? Most people don't. Most people believe in a "live and let live" policy, and focus on having our best life. 

Why are we even thinking about using ancient people's ideas as a moral or legal foundation? They didn't know where the sun went at night, and thought incest was a great way to populate the world. They thought owning people was a good idea. They believed ghosts and demons, dragons, angels, and giants were real. 

No individual sect of 'christian' is a majority in this country. The 'none or nothing in particular' group (often referred to as 'nones') is larger than any of the religious subgroups. 'Nones' are a larger proportion of our population than the largest 'christian' subgroup, catholic. What has been a consolidating factor among the less educated is the power hungry. They use spiritual doctrine, deceit, innuendo, and anything else they can, to retain and increase their own individual seats of influence and power. Church leaders are often among this group, as are a great many politicians.  

When our laws are secular, this nation will be closer to representing liberty and justice for all. No one gets special dispensation. We are equal.