Hey, @balticbadger,
No apologies are necessary for your passion; I would far rather speak with someone who tells me truly what he thinks than someone who is deceitful. :)
I hope you will turn your last comment into a post. You'll see that I read and responded to the post you suggested above... Much appreciated!
In the same spirit of sharing, here is a post that will tell you a bit about "where I'm coming from:"
https://steemit.com/christianity/@creatr/truth-is-where-you-find-it
I will summarize by saying that I believe that Jesus is the supreme God who created the universe and us. Because he is our Creator, he has the absolute right to do with us whatever he wishes.
The amazing thing to me, is that Jesus extends a hand of friendship and invitation and peace to us, allowing us to experience and participate in his good favor.
The parable, or story, from which you quoted, only applies to those who hate Jesus and intentionally choose to be his enemies. The ominous execution only occurs at the very end of the story (i.e. at the end of time), and even then (and now I am extrapolating from other teachings in the bible) Jesus/God will deal mercifully with his irreconcilable enemies, even in death.
In huge contrast, during this present age, the message of Jesus/God is entirely welcoming, inclusive, and an extension of peace and reconciliation to all men. That has been the true message of authentic Christianity, the one Jesus original followers went throughout the world to share.
You might enjoy the writings of some I consider to be truly great Christian thinkers. One, I quoted from at the beginning of my article, is J.R.R. Tolkien. His writing and thought shows great appreciation and understanding of pagan thinking. So also does C.S. Lewis in many of his writings. I perceive that both of them had considerable respect for the "gods of the Europeans," though they viewed them in the context of being beings or spirits created by the one, true, living Jesus/God.
You can also read as much or more than you may want of my thinking, if you visit my Steemit Library by clicking on my signature image below:
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Thank you for a good discussion! :D