the connectedness we all share as human beings

Yes! My feeling is that Jesus' ministry was focused on exactly that: we are all connected, all family, and "love one another" -- the new commandment Jesus brought to us (John 13:34 - 35) -- is the most important of the commandments. Heaven would never be a place of hatred, cruelty, or other unlove, would it?

And you're right (again): that lesson is in healthy religions and teachings throughout history; Jesus didn't mean people had to "believe in Him" as a particular deity, imo (not the most popular belief, I know), but rather he wanted us to believe his TEACHINGS, including especially about love and compassion. That's why I don't believe ppl who never heard of Jesus "are going to Hell" -- that would be cruel and bizarre -- but rather that without love in our hearts, we are already LIVING in Hell.

the connectedness we all share as human beings

Yes! My feeling is that Jesus' ministry was focused on exactly that: we are all connected, all family, and "love one another" -- the new commandment Jesus brought to us (John 13:34 - 35) -- is the most important of the commandments. Heaven would never be a place of hatred, cruelty, or other unlove, would it?

And you're right (again): that lesson is in healthy religions and teachings throughout history; Jesus didn't mean people had to "believe in Him" as a particular deity, imo (not the most popular belief, I know), but rather he wanted us to believe his TEACHINGS, including especially about love and compassion. That's why I don't believe ppl who never heard of Jesus "are going to Hell" -- that would be cruel and bizarre -- but rather than without love in our hearts, we are already LIVING in Hell.