Well, Jesus may have believed in unity, but trust me christians only think they are God's personal messanger. Each religious group since the beginning of time has used their own religion as a tool to control the people.

--no I'm not going off on a rant about how there is no God here--
--and yes this is long but the answer is in the end--

If you do your research there are things you will find about all religions and how they use their belief system and adapt it to fit their current needs. I'm most familiar with the catholic belief system so let me show you some examples.

originally God was one to be feared, because he was the weather, the sun, the rain, the clouds and everything you could imagine. If lightning struck it was because God was mad, thereby explaining natural phenomenon for people.

after people started to realize hmm... it gets cloudy then it rains... God was everyones friend and he was a nice guy, but he only liked poor people. "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to pass through the gates of heaven" (the eye of the needle being a tight cave passage way back when) so this allowed the religious leaders and kings and what not to have lavish lives because all of the followers of God knew that if they worked hard for nothing they would essentially get a free pass in to heaven...

anyways now that you're bored religious leaders will never come together because everyone has their own uses for their teachings. whether there is 'my God' or 'his God' or 'their God' who knows i'm sure no one has the right idea...

There are different interpretations of what Jesus said and what he represented. If you look at the history of the Church, since very early on there were theological and dogmatic arguments.

One of the first was whether Jesus was a man or a God. There have also been issues about how the religion should be institutionalized. The center of these controversies has been the Catholic Church, the oldest Church and the epicenter of most controversies surrounding Christian dogma. Other controversies have involved the use of religious imagery, the practice of invoking the Virgin Mary, the concept of the Trinity, Immaculate Conception, praying to saints, divorce, the Pope, indulgences, confession... Pretty much anything has created conflict.

I guess the bottom line is that humans have an imperfect view of the world and have a tendency to want to see things in absolute terms when there isn't such a thing. No one has directly spoken to God, the gospels are scripture and all we have of them is interpretation. We all see things differently and it's obviously caused a lot of problems.

Ecumenical councils have helped the Eastern and Western Catholic churches come to certain agreements but agreement with Protestants is unlikely, if not impossible because of the violent history between Catholics and Protestants.

There's also politics involved, of course. It's undeniable that the Pope was a major actor in European politics, and that some of the most important conflicts in European history arose from religion, mainly because religion was used as a political tool.

I, for one, recognize I'm part of the problem, as many of us are when we recognize divisions between the churches. I'm Catholic, not even that devout, and I don't understand a lot of the things Protestants say. I can understand how different interpretations bring about conflict. It's part of being human and having free will. I guess the most we can hope for is tolerance. Understanding is beyond us for now.

Because humans are fallible.

This is a very difficult question to address in this format, but I’ll give it a shot.

You are right that Christianity should be united. This is apparent even from the canonical writings. For example, Paul criticized the believers at Corinth for professing allegiance to a one teacher or another, saying to them “I appeal to you, brothers…that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment…Is Christ divided?” (I Corinthians 1:10-17). The problem with the Corinthians was that they were identifying themselves by the name of their favorite teacher rather than by their common faith in Jesus Christ. The issue is the natural human tendency to form groups and allegiances, and the tendency in particular of one group to think itself superior over another. We cannot escape the fact that we are naturally drawn to one person’s point of view at the expense of another’s even if we think the other’s is equally valid. This is at base just an issue of personality, but it can be carried to an extreme if a separate faction is formed because of it. So that is one source for the denominations that have arisen in Christianity over the centuries—people drawn to a particular philosophy that emphasis one or another point of scripture to the extent that they stop associating with other philosophies that emphasis equally important and valid points.

This raises the question of different interpretations of scripture. It is very common to hear people talk about what particular verses or the Bible as a whole means “to them,” but Peter emphasized that “no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:19-21), and Paul encouraged believers to be of “one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). There is a real tendency among those who call themselves Christians to misapply or overemphasize teachings of Scripture, which is why there are so many regulations among certain Christian sects (dress code, drinking / smoking, etc) that are not clearly taught in scripture. The tendency to misapply scriptural teaching is also the reason Paul urged Timothy to “rightly (handle) the word of truth,” i.e. to apply scripture correctly and in the proper context (2 Timothy 2:15). So another source of Christian denominations comes from people who are weak in the faith misapplying or overemphasizing valid teaching of scriptures to the exclusion of those who do not agree with them (i.e. loyalty to a particular church and its teachings rather than to the teachings of Christ).

The question of “rightly handling the word of truth” (ibid) brings up another issue—false teachers. Christ addressed the issue of false teachers (Matthew 7:15), and Paul said that “from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30) and that people “will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from the truth and be turned into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). In other words, some people pretend to be Christians but espouse teachings other than those given by Christ, creating factions for themselves from people who like their teachings better than those of Christ (certain televangelists come to mind), and it is these sort of people who “cause divisions” (Jude 17-19). This sort of thing was already beginning to happen in the early church (Romans 16:17-18, 2 Timothy 2:16-18 Galatians 1:6-9), and Peter and Jude strongly condemn the actions of such people (2 Peter 2, Jude 3-23). It is unfortunate that many people’s idea of Christianity has been shaped by these types of teachers.

To attempt a summary, there are many causes for divisions within Christianity. The tendency to associate with a favorite teacher, the tendency to misapply Biblical teachings, and the presence of people who exploit Christian teaching for their own purposes all have contributed over the centuries to the rise of the denominations we see today. Personally, I would love to see the church united, but I fear that the denominations are by now so deeply entrenched that this will not happen easily. All individual Christians can do for now is understand that faith in Christ and adherence to His teachings are not one and the same as belief in and adherence to the doctrines of the church they were raised in or have chosen to attend. If people begin think in terms of Christ’s teachings rather than the teachings of their church, I think we will see considerably more reconciliation between denominations. A final point, though, is that sadly, many churches are filled with people who do not understand the teachings of Christ and consequently cling to the teachings of their church, because that’s all they are familiar with.

It is mainly because each Religious congregation has its own political agenda. They have their own interpretation of the Bible.

If they disagreed with the Vatican the church which St. Peter built. They simply forked and form their own religion. The official will always claim to be the Roman Catholic Church. But there are Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican Communion. That considers Peter as a saint. But they just decided to form their own instead. If you ask each one of them. All will claim the be official and the other churches as break-away groups. So it pretty sums up the never ending disputes there.

Another point to consider that Religion is one of the best business enterprise in the world. They enjoy tax free exemptions from the government. It is protected from the constitution on the separation of church and state.

Here in my country, the Philippines. The Roman Catholic Church is one of the biggest land owners. Courtesy of course as a being a former colony of Spain. Yet they pay no real estate taxes. Priests are exempted from paying any income taxes. Educational institutions like schools and colleges are exempt too. They also operate Hospitals, Radio and TV stations.

As a catholic, donations to my church is voluntary. There is no fee required to worship God, hear mass and receive communion. But there are some religions do require you to donate. I'll cite examples thats closer to home.

Inglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ). They even have bank like passbooks that track your monthly donations. I've seen one from friends of mine.

So what happens if your a disgruntled expelled INC member? You establish your own church. This is what a former Inglesia Bro. Eli Soriano did. He founded "Ang Dating Daan"

Its kind of crazy and idiotic how these 2 religous groups slug it out against each other on tv. Both sides call the other guy as liars and a heretic.

You are right they should.

The only problem is not all christian or all god believing religions believe that jesus was the son of god. The other problem with that is that some humans DO believe that religion is wrong. They may or may not believe that religion is a "Problem" .

........On a quick personal note...
Why ? I never understood it.

Just because someone else is in another religion means they are lesser than me ?
I never believed religion is a problem , I believe that BELIEVING religion is a problem is a problem in of itself.

All in all I think the best that you can do as A human being is find something you are passionate about that helps everyone at the same time and stick with it until you die.

Kind Regards,
XDS

A friend of mine just tweeted this quote from his pastor yesterday: "Look at Jesus, not His idiot followers." (Ryan Mobley, Delta Church, Springfield, IL)
That pretty much sums it up.

You are right to bust out the people bearing the name of Jesus Christ for their lack of unity. The Bible records that, before He was killed, Jesus specifically prayed for his followers to be unified for that exact reason--that they would be a better representation of God to the world. But let's face it, people are messed up. (I know I am. I try to live the way Christ instructs and have the best intentions in the world, but sometimes I still just act like a selfish jerk. To me this is one reason the grace and renewal of God {by way of Jesus} is so necessary and appealing--it's what I need.) Christians in the New Testament were noticed by the non-Christians for their love ("Behold how they love one another"). These days, often not so much. I feel confident that this really makes God sad, even angry.

Regarding communication from/with God, I believe the Bible is probably the most important way God has chosen to communicate with us. It's really an amazing group of books --astounding to find such a cohesive message from so many authors spanning thousands of years. I don't know what you think about the Bible, but if you've never read the whole thing, I recommend it, especially since you are a "pensive" person and obviously have some interest in spiritual things. By the way, if you read it you'll notice that the Bible is just full of the "people of God" messing up, sometimes in seriously epic ways. But that actually gives me hope, because I can see right on the page that I don't have to be perfect for God to accomplish what He wants to do. He might even use messed up me.

When individuals claim to have heard from God, the Bible is particularly useful. Without that record of the actions of God and His people over the centuries, what would I have to measure a so-called "enlightened" person against?

We are living the tower of Babel story.

Logically if Jesus believes in unity and his religion reflects reality, then the Christian sects would be united. So, one or both of the two notions is wrong.

Either, Jesus does not believe in unity, or his religion is just another false religion, or both.

I have no opinion on the believing in unity question, but one of the other answers quotes a number of passages from Christian sources that indicates that part is true. Perhaps those quotes are contradicted elsewhere, as is often the case in religious writings.

It might be noted that the other religions of the world, even small or recently created religions, are also almost always divided. It may well be a direct result of religions insisting that what they say be taken "on faith" as opposed to the religions only saying things that they can prove. Since none of them can prove anything about what they claim, it's exceedingly easy for someone else to claim something different.

One thing I can say on this subject is that ever since Christians made "doctrine" or "philosophy" the goal of Christendom, the golden goose, so to speak... we've been sunk.

You can replace that with liturgy and traditions, same thing... it's all to keep up appearances. People fight over appearances. What it "seems" like. It just proves how shallow we all really are.

Love is much deeper than that. Read 1 Corinthians 13. The Corinthian church was itself divided into factions (and the wildest church, to boot) and each group was following a different apostle. Right in the first century! This was while Christianity was still an underground revolution.

Paul said, Don't follow just some man, in fact don't even follow me. Be in love with each other.

George MacDonald, a 19th century preacher, theologian and fantasy writer, had this to say:

"To let their light shine, not to force on them their interpretations of God's designs, is the duty of Christians towards their fellows. If you who set yourselves to explain the theory of Christianity, had set yourselves instead to do the will of the Master, the one object for which the Gospel was preached to you, how different would now be the condition of that portion of the world with which you come into contact! Had you given yourselves to the understanding of his word that you might do it, and not to the quarrying from it of material wherewith to buttress your systems, in many a heart by this time would the name of the Lord be loved where now it remains unknown. The word of life would then by you have been held out indeed. Men, undeterred by your explanations of Christianity, for you would not be forcing them on their acceptance, and attracted by your behaviour, would be saying to each other, as Moses said to himself when he saw the bush that burned with fire and was not consumed, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight!' they would be drawing nigh to behold how these Christians loved one another, and how just and fair they were to every one that had to do with them! to note that their goods were the best, their weight surest, their prices most reasonable, their word most certain! that in their families was neither jealousy nor emulation! that mammon was not there worshipped! that in their homes selfishness was neither the hidden nor the openly ruling principle; that their children were as diligently taught to share, as some are to save, or to lay out only upon self--their mothers more anxious lest a child should hoard than lest he should squander; that in no house of theirs was religion one thing, and the daily life another; that the ecclesiastic did not think first of his church, nor the peer of his privileges."
http://www.online-literature.com/george-macdonald/unspoken-sermons/24

I provided my own answer to this question in my first article on Examiner.com called, What Is This Thing Called Christianity?:
http://www.examiner.com/christian-in-seattle/what-is-this-thing-called-christianity

A preview:

"So what is this thing called Christianity, anyway?

Opinions vary due to experiences and individual temperaments. Some look at it and see a rather narrow sect with rote rituals while others see a very loose association of warring factions. In certain eyes it is an extremely formalized, lifeless tradition, and in others a long parade of wild circus acts. Christians are sometimes seen as judgmental and inflammatory, while others are viewed as nauseously kind or timid; some too flakey or too dull; prudes with no life or sensual and depraved hypocrites. Christianity sometimes seems irrational and sometimes too intellectual; at times too violent, and at other times blithely ignorant. In one view, historical Christianity is unchanging and lifeless. Or in another view, extremely broken up and inconsistent.

But when you boil it down, what's the basic essence of Christianity? Who's right, and (God forbid!) who's wrong!?"

Firstly, I've never heard the statement that "Jesus believes in unity". The statement can be interpreted and misinterpreted in many ways. However, I do think that Jesus wants us to act like a "good" family. Even the word family has its misinterpretations. A family is not just a mix of blood relations. A family works together and respects each other and pulls together when there is a crisis. There can be disagreements, but a family looks beyond the disagreements to the common things that tie them together like common parents (or a common God).

Now consider all the denominations as "children". Some people believe in one thing and others believe in something else. Disagreement is human nature and healthy. Without disagreement we would simply fall into the dark ages. There is something healthy in questioning what is believed to be the truth.

So if each religion is a member of God's family with a different point of view, does God want us to hurt each other? I think that if there is a religion that wants to hurt another member of God's family, there is a flaw in the belief and personally I cannot be part of this.

Along these same lines, there are members of God's family that cannot grasp God's majesty except through the mask of their own ignorance. Those people would be happy living in a cave and never want to see the word because it would be against what their limited view can provide. Those people still believe in creation and don’t want to live “outside” what they think is the bible, as if the bible was a book of rules. Its not.

There are also others that want the control of the people and just as badly, the people that follow want to be controlled. You can fault the preacher but I put more fault the followers because they follow without sense. The preacher would not have any power without the followers. Id's say the majority of "the faithful" come into this category. They follow out of ignorance or fear of hell but have no true understanding of what God wants. How many times has the Virgin Mary appeared on a piece of toast? Or a stain on a wall “with tears” or “blood”. Really? My God has appeared in a burning bush, a dove, though dreams and visions, so what is the meaning of appearing in toast?

This last behavior is what frustrates me the most and what I feel is causing our society to fall apart. We follow, and we want something to do all the heavy thinking for us. We want Obama or a preacher to save us from everything that ails us, but we would don’t want to lift a finger to do anything for ourselves. (I think this is the same thing that was going on in Jesus' time.) Our families fall apart because we don’t teach them to be families. We blame our own ignorance on something else. This is also the same exact ailment that fuels race “tensions”. It’s for the same reason. I’m not going to take the example of black and white, but how about all those “Americans” that are upset because “Mexicans” are taking their job? Is it true? Do we really have that many Americans fighting for a job to clean bathrooms and do landscaping?

In the story of Scrooge, Dickens told us about 2 of the most evil children of man. Those children are ignorance and want. Ignorance and want are the reason we don’t have unity and peace.