Finally! The answer to a nagging question

Finally, I have figured it out!
I have never learned how to reconcile the difference between the very plain teaching of the Bible and the opposite behavior I see too often in church people. When church people are angry, their actions often don’t resemble the Golden Rule, the Great Commandment, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, admonitions to work for unity in the Body of Christ or anything else in the Bible. Forgiveness? Forget it. Kindness? You’ve got to be kidding. Mutual love? Not on your life. Telling the truth? Oh, please! Loving friends is formidable…loving enemies? Impossible. Don’t even mention it. When people get their feelings hurt, I have had the idea that the life, teaching and example of Jesus goes out the window.
For the longest time, this has upset me.
Now, I believe I have figured it out.
There is another ancient manuscript that people give allegiance to. That has to be the answer. It’s the only explanation I can think of. I have not seen the written manuscript, but I have seen the lives of those shaped by it vividly enough to reconstruct it. Like the book of James or I John, this is a powerful, but not a long text. From what I see, this is how the sacred text reads:
Chapter 1:
There is nothing more important than your opinion. When someone disagrees with your opinion, you should mow them down no matter who gets hurt in the crossfire. You need to be heard. When your feelings are hurt, that’s an injustice that demands attention. Do not hesitate to speak up, do not take time to choose your words carefully, do not worry about who will be affected by what you say. Remember: there is nothing more important than your opinion. Write that reality on your heart. Do not stop attacking and complaining until you have consumed the attention of everyone around (and I do mean EVERYONE).
Chapter 2:
Talk ABOUT people instead of talking TO them. You will find that your cause is stronger if you only talk about people instead of wasting your time talking TO them. Don’t worry about having your facts straight or acknowledging that there may be more to the story than you know. You know how you feel. And remember, there is nothing more important than your opinion. You have been hurt and if others get hurt in the crossfire, that’s just the price that has to be paid for the transgression. Maybe people will think twice before doing that again. Remember, if the others hadn’t hurt your feelings, all this would never have happened. So, if people get hurt, it’s not your fault.

Chapter 3:
Remember that blaming is a very effective way for people to see how deeply you have been wronged. People won’t be galvanized to support you unless they see you have been wronged. Tell your story with passion and tell it to as many people as possible. Don’t get sidetracked by the facts and don’t spend your time with people who dare to question your version. You must get attention to your cause. Remember, this is all about you.
Chapter 4:
And, in addition, it is all about your family. Family is important. So if anyone in your family gets their feelings hurt, that’s the same as hurting your feelings. It doesn’t matter whether the family member was right or wrong, if somebody hurts their feelings, they have hurt your feelings too. Remember: speak up, blame others, spread the word about the injustice, don’t feel the need to stick too closely to what actually important. Feelings got hurt. That’s what really matters. Family is important. Don’t let people get away with hurting your family’s feelings.
Chapter 5:
When the problem is about something at church, be sure you tell everyone how many years you and your family have been members of the church. That’s how people will know what a serious problem this is. And don’t stop complaining with the people directly involved. Register your complaint with every church official you can think of. Remember, what could be more important? Wrongs must be righted! This is especially true if your preacher has done something to hurt your feelings. Hurting your feelings is a terrible violation of the minister’s purpose to make sure everyone is happy. Such a transgression cannot be ignored—especially for someone who has been in this church as long as you have. There’s always hope that if you can be successful in stirring up enough dissatisfaction, you have a chance of getting your preacher moved. That will teach everyone the consequences of hurting your feelings.
Chapter 6:
Finally – and of great importance—remember that your allegiance to these sacred texts supercedes any other teaching! Some people will try to appeal to other sacred texts – don’t get sidetracked! This is the supreme sacred text and don’t you forget it. And don’t let anyone else forget it. Amen

So here it is: the manuscript of the ancient sacred text. I am pretty sure I have written it out accurately from what I see in the lives of its faithful followers.