Sins

[Tonus]

If you are religious, do you agree with this writer? Do you believe that anger against another person is the same thing as raping and killing that same person?

I think it depends on interpretation. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

The Bible Gateway site infers that "brother" and "sister" can mean fellow members of the faith. 'Raca' is apparently an insulting term. The "you fool" part will be open to interpretation, especially since it entails risk of eternal damnation.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus follows this with the famous 'cast out your eye/hand if it causes you to stumble' statement, indicating that his disciples must be willing to make painful sacrifices in order to achieve salvation. Even if we assume that he is not mandating that they literally gouge out an eyeball or chop off a hand, it shows just how seriously god considered thought-crime to be.

This is the basis of the 'salvation trap' that many Christian denominations teach-- you are imperfect and therefore unable to control yourself sufficiently to ever avoid sin, and thus are beholden to Christ. Without him to clear your record with god, you are destined for eternal damnation. And who can you appeal to? The cop, judge, jury, executioner and parole board are all the same person! The closest modern-day analog to Yahweh is Roger Goodell.