Is Christian hypocrisy more of a virtue than a vice?

Question

Non-Believers in this forum have criticized Christians for being hypocrites. Hypocrisy is a lack of integrity between belief and behavior and is usually counted as a sin by Christians and a fault by most others.
But if true Christians really live according to god’s example as shown in the bible, isn’t hypocrisy a good thing? The best Christian people I know believe the bible but unconsciously try not to live according to god’s example.
People who actually live in the way the bible suggests often find themselves in very big trouble with the legal system, and as an example of this, I’ve included a link to a recent attempt of a true Christian who followed god’s biblical example to the letter.
Praise!
http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general736.html

The link to the example of virtue goes a long way to explain this posting. I'm guessing that about 2/3 of the answerers so far don't understand the question.

Answer 1

It's a sad thing that people call themselves Christians but do things that shame the name of Christ and His followers. Then because that one man did that horrible thing that makes all Christians go through the same trial and condemnation even the ones that honestly live their lives according to what Jesus commanded. Why are we being hated the most than the other religions in this world? All people are hypocrite in their own way because no one is perfect, only God is perfect. All humans fail not only Christians but you expect the most of us, to be holy and just shrug our shoulders, and get over even when we are being pushed on and rediculed at. A true Christian would do everything to be a good witness for others but even though we live a quiet life people still has so many things to say about us especially the ones that doesn't even know us. I don't think the man in that story is a Christian at all, just the label but not in the heart.
Generalization is mean and a crime towards conduct.

Answer 2

If you think this guy was actually carrying out things from the bible (or God's will), both you and he are out of your minds. In no way, shape or from could what this guy did be construed as biblical or christ-like in nature. Christ did not teach these types of behaviors. Things such as forgiveness, "do onto others", love they neighbor would never suggest punishment of this kind. In fact, I don't know of any instance were Christ would have advocated Punishment-- how about the stoning of the woman? Christ stopped it and asked that he w/out sin cast the first stone.

All that said, there is plenty of hypocrisy in people who say they are christians. But the hypocrisy does not come from the Bible per se, it comes from their own warped view of biblical texts and (their own) dogma.

Slavery was in the bible as well as many things we would not consider christian-like now. Things that happened during the Crusades and the inquisition are certinaly not Christ-like. Many fundamentalist Christians will on one hand advocate the death penalty but are against abortion. If you're truely pro-life, you are so in all instances -- abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, etc. Further, you get fundamentalist people like Pat Roberts who advocate death, punishment or what have you to people he doesn't like. Christ certainly would not have advocated that.

Treat others as you would want to be treated
Love thy neighbor -- that means everybody
Peace, tolerance and understanding

Answer 3

The hypocrisy they refer to is the idea that many Christians are really good at preaching, but really bad about living as an example. They fall into the category of "Do as I say, not as I do..." and that is wrong.

If one is going to preach a message, it needs to be a message that they are actively trying to live. As a Christian if one if going to preach on God's love, the unconditional love of Christ, etc, then they need to spend a lot more time accepting people for who they are, and a lot less time telling people that their lifestyles are completely wrong.

Answer 4

The separation of church and state is the reason good Christians get in trouble. America was founded, so that people could have freedom of religion, etc. At the time, Europe was ruled by religious politics. It was a bad thing. You know, good old torturing those who did not share in christian beliefs. Killing of nonbelievers. Now Europe has followed Americas example, and separated church and state. They moved on, and so should you.

Answer 5

I believe in God and Christ and feel that the majority of Christians are hypocrites! up to and including myself. You see i just participated in your hypocrisy. Damn that judgment rule. Wow someone that actually lived the life, now he would be an original. Wait a minute he was killed by the religious leaders of his time. What sweet irony.

Answer 6

I think what most people mean by Christian hypocrisy is Christians that smoke, drink, cheat, love money, gossip, hate, etc.

Doing wordly things and acts and placing a high value on wordly things does not show faith.

Answer 7

a cruel man believes in a cruel God. Thomas Paine. i know he was referring to christianity.
"A Christian is a man who feels Repentance on a Sunday For what he did on Saturday, And is going to do on Monday"
-T. R. Ybarra

"Christians are taught that even though they are evil, they are saved by grace and will go to heaven. Not because of their own behavior, but because Jesus paid their admission.
There is no incentive for Christians to obey any known laws or code of ethics. They admit they are evil, but they allow themselves to pretend they are not by hiding behind Jesus.
That is one reason so many people claim to be Christian, it justifies their immorality and requires no penalty for wrongdoing." im not sure where i got that quote but it was well said.

Answer 8

Hypocrisy is hypocrisy, no matter who does it. Some people interpret something wrong... it is still wrong. Others interpret holy scriptures as compelling them to be suicide bombers, to hate gays and lesbians and the French and to keep women down. They are still subject to the laws of the land.

Answer 9

No hypocrite is a good hypocrite. People who say one thing and do another, obviously don't believe in anything whatsoever.

Answer 10

Christians are fools