Why do Christians claim that Jesus abolished Old Testament laws that lead to cruelties?

The Bible does not say that at all:

'Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.'

Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn't the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament such as stoning, drowning, burning people at the stake, sending plagues, turning people into salt, etc. Jesus says that the Old Testament laws are binding on everyone forever. Why are Christians trying to ignore God's laws from the Old Testament?? They are still in effect and God will barbebeque you up on the grill of righteousness if you don't comply!
there you go again babe destroying my faith! o forgot i lost that yesterday!xxx
The old laws were there as a precursor to the coming of Jesus. The Messenach, the Messiah. jesus fullfilled the laws, and thus ushed in a new law, a new covenant to replace the law of Moses.


Answers:
Christ has fulfilled all the laws and as a Christian I live IN Christ so I don't have to follow the laws as He has done it - you follow me? Well don't - follow Christ ;)
yeah right name me the last time you saw a Christian that did not eat shrimp or pork
Amen, brother! Once again the word of God answers all questions and those who seek God through The Word find the answers!
all i can tell you is to read you bible
Jesus taught moderation, and pity. He stopped the woman from being stoned. He did not do away with old testament law, but He did want us to use wisdom and pity. Many christians use Paul as the excuse for not having to follow jewish law, especially regarding circumcism and the eating laws. You get to have it both ways that way, say he came to fulfill the law and not change it, yet get to eat whatever you want and change the sabbath to Sunday, cause Paul said so.

Oh, and I don't recall any burning at the stake or drownings in the old testament. They didn't have much water, so seems very odd to me they drowned people? I don't remember any of that in the old testament.
I couldn't really believe the question. Then I read the replies so far. Now I can't believe there are really people with a brain in their heads who believe any of that stuff. What planet are they from.

Geee religion, look what a wonderful mess it is totally responsible for today and still there are some folk who just don't get it.

so sad.
Drowning and burning at the stake? You will be hard pressed to find these punishments in Torah law. Jesus never said the Jewish laws were binding on everyone, just as Jews don't today, their law is their law and applies only to them. In fact it is often maligned Jesus made statements excluding gentiles from his own ministry.

Christianity from the beginning tried to distance itself from Judaism, fist with circumcision and dietary laws and finally moving the Sabbath to Sunday and incorporating much of Rome's pagan culture.
I didn't understood it well. Are you referring to the Ten Commandments? If yes then:

Well, actually Jesus Christ did not abolished the Old Testament Laws, but rather had 'summarized' it. He changed it to 2 simple rules, whereas the first 4 Commandments is translated as 'Love the Lord, your God, above all things' and the last 6 Commandments is translated as 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself' according to Jesus.

Also, take note about the story about Jesus when a woman was caught sleeping with another man of which the woman was not married, thus committing adultery. She was brought to Jesus Christ by an angry mob. They told Jesus what happened. The people asked what should they do. 'Should we stone her to death?', 'Should we burn her?'. Jesus replied to them 'Those who have not yet sinned in all their life, may stone that woman to death'. There was a stunned silence. No one had stoned nor burned the woman to death. The woman ran to Jesus and expressed her gratitude. Jesus told her not to do it again.

We can now say that Jesus Christ is against all the the cruelties of the Old Testament.

And also, I am a Christian myself. I can say that we do not ignore the Laws of God from the Old Testament. We actually value them. Both New laws of Jesus and the Laws from the Old Testament.

Are you not a Christian? A Jew?

Well, if you still cannot understand my explanation, I would suggest that you just sit back, accept and respect on what we believe in and stay faithful to the Lord, no matter what other people believe.

If you find me quite 'aggressive' or whatsoever, I did not intend to.

That is all =)