Thoughts about religious picking and choosing

It's very interesting to me how so many so called Christians can drop verses from The Bible but ignore so many passages that just so happen to go against what they are spewing. Or regurgitating from what they've been told by their particular Pulpit. Now don't get me wrong, not all Christians are nuts or raving lunatics. There are far more good and true Christians out there, I just wish they'd speak up and drown out the nuts who've done so much damage to Christianity.

That said, I watched a video today that made me pick up my Bible. Yes, I have one. I also own a copy of The Torah and Al-Qur'an, plus a copy of The Tanakh and The Book of Latter Day Saints. So in the video mentioned a passage from The Bible, Matthew 6.1-8, the one that deals with Jesus speaking about prayer and I found it rather interesting how many people seem to honestly go against that teaching. Be it that they've not read the passage or just ignore it completely. The video also talked about how Jesus would be responded to today by American Conservatives, a Socialist to be mocked and demonized. And that speaks to a larger truth about how Jesus is used against His teachings for votes or to sway people to a particular viewpoint.
I wonder how different everything would be if people would read about Jesus and truly live by His teachings. As a Pagan, I can sit on the outside looking in and that is such an important place to be for a Christian. I can sit and point these situations out. The same is true for the reverse and I enjoy those times, when approached with calm and respect. Golden Rule and all.

Another part of The Bible I enjoy is Matthew 8.5-13, Jesus speaking with The Centurion. Now, we tend to assume that The Centurion is a Christian by the teachings so many get from The Pulpit. But if we step back and look at what Jesus said at Matthew 8.13, we see that The Centurion may just be a Pagan because of the statement of "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." It's as if Jesus either knows The Centurion is of Roman belief by claiming for The Centurion to go and handle the situation according to his faith.
This is all by my interpretation and can't be held to a solid claim unless Jesus comes back and tells us. But all belief and faith is interpretation. It can't be held to rigid doctrine, that's why so many Christian denominations exist now. Hell, even Judaic and Islam are comprised of their own denominations. But so do so many Pagan beliefs. Human nature I guess.

I just think that it is interesting and education for anyone to read about Jesus and really pay attention to His teachings.  Not just for Christians, but anyone who wants to be educated in all forms of how Humans view The Divine.

Surah 31.18: And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster

Matthew 6.5: And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full