Does it, really?

Okay, I'm going to try not to name names in this post. I'm going to (try) to take an 'aside' stance. Recently, on a buddy's blog, there was, shall we say, some disagreement that has come to a head....some that has been going on for some time now. My buddy isn't the instigator, just another part of an ongoing backlash.
Division, actually. Division between a whole bunch of folks who all love Jesus. They all believe in different things, according to the way they have interpreted scripture. The word "heretic" has been bandied about, so you KNOW I love to slip around in that mud puddle.
So, here is my question:

Does the Gospel really need defense?

On spirituality all the time. . .

Let's face it. . .Christmas, Easter, and most of our Christian holidays were plunked into pagan holidays to "sell" them and foster Christianity. Now we have Lent, which is not a Biblical concept, rather it's a pagan-rooted ritual that couldn't decide if it should be practiced for 40 hours or 40 days. Jesus never practiced Lent, nor did He command His disciples to do so themselves...or to take that to the Nations.
I think, though, we were supposed to keep Passover.
We don't.
I understand the idea: Give up something, think about what we do, become better people (after all, it's all about US isn't it?) It is what it is. . .but I guess I've just never followed along without asking a question or two...and, of course, I always get my hand smacked. Whatever. Still asking.
.
So, I asked the Lord..."Lord, what do you think about this Lent thing?" I can't say that a bolt of lightning came down and illuminated my very being, but I'm pretty sure that He gave me John 13:1-17 as a base thought.

I can hear Him saying,

"Giving up chocolate, cursing, coffee, meat, for 40 days means nothing to Me. Here is what I'd like you all to try to give up forever:

Grudges
Hatred
Bigotry
Gossiping
Anger
Killing--physically, emotionally, or spiritually
Jealousy
Envy
Materialism
Selfishness. . .

replace all of these with love, instead.
....Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

John 13:17