What distinguishes a good Christian from a bad Christian?

Question

This is an honest question.

Christianity sends mixed messages: there is compassion and love, but there is also perdition and hate. There are some people on Y!A R&S - Schneb, Contemplative Chanteuse and thegreatwhitehype come to mind - who are decent, positive members of the human race with no hatred in their hearts. There are many Christians here who spend their whole time threatening hell and condemning anyone different.

Why should this be? Which one is it? Why does the belief of some people manifest itself in bigotry and the belief of other people manifest itself in charity?

Please don't tell me that if you accept Jesus in your hearts, you will struggle to live like he wants - clearly that's not entirely the case, and it doesn't mean anything to me anyway. Do you think that a kind, charitable person is that way regardless of his/her god-belief? If that's so, is religion truly immaterial in living a good, pious life?

Answer 1

While I am not a Christian I have found that what distinguishes a "good" Christian from a "bad" Christian is usually shown by how they treat others.

"Why should this be? Which one is it? Why does the belief of some people manifest itself in bigotry and the belief of other people manifest itself in charity?"
Religion is a tool that people use to reach spiritual goals. However, all tools can be abused. Or in the words of Ani DiFranco "Every tool is a weapon if you hold it right." I have a Christian friend who has a theory that those who go around condemning everyone to hell, etc, that for them it's a question of superiority and has little to do with religion or faith. They want to be in the "right" religion. It's more important to be right than to do the hard work of actually applying the teachings of compassion, mercy, charity, and love into one's life. As Karen Armstrong has said on her book tours "Compassion isn't always a popular concept for people. People would rather be right than compassionate." My Christian friend would agree. She has been told by some of these hell condeming people that she, too, as a Christian is going to hell because she is the "wrong" denomination of Christianity.

"Do you think that a kind, charitable person is that way regardless of his/her god-belief? If that's so, is religion truly immaterial in living a good, pious life?"
For the most part, yes. One's religious beliefs often do not seem directly to influence the kindness and charity of a person. However, I have seen in some cases where a person that was not very kind and charitable changed to being a kind and charitable person when they either went deeper into their spirituality/religion or they changed their spirituality/religion.

Is religion truly immaterial of living a good, pious life? Well, no, I don't think so. I think that it helps us because it keeps that in focus for us. Again, religion is a tool that is used to achieve spiritual goals. If one's goal is to be kind, charitable, good, and pious in life then religion can definately keep that person focused. It is not to say that a person without religion cannot be good, pious, compassionate, charitable, kind, and loving. They very much can be all those things and yet not claim a religion.

For me, I try my best to live my life according to my beliefs to progress my spiritual journey and experience. I have no desire to declare myself superior to others and it has never been an issue of being "right" for me. I practice Hinduism as my religion because I believe it is the "right" religion for me. It isn't right for everyone and it is no more superior or inferior than any other religion (Hinduism itself even says so in its teachings). I choose how I practice my religion and that is the same for all people. I sometimes think that those who somehow have this manifestation of bigotry and hatred are those who have some kind of fear in them that they cannot seem to get rid of. Something that seems to cause them to stay focused on the hate and bigotry aspect rather than being able to move forward towards compassion, charity, kindness, love, etc. In truth, though, I can never fully know or understand why it is that people act hatefully towards one another or take on bigotry. My religion tells me it is because of ignorance/illusion. That out of ignorance we give into the illusion that we are all seperate when the reality is that we are all very much interconnected and that out of ignorance we give into the illusion that we are all somehow different when the reality is that we are all very much the same. The saying amongst Hindus is "there is no evil, there is only ignorance". Swami Vivekananda said "there is no evil, there is only ignorance. it is out of ignorance that we do harm to one another." Another Hindu teacher I've read said "evil does not exist, only the illusion of evil exists through ignorance of our true selves. So long as we see ourselves as seperate from those around us and see our actions as being seperate from their results upon other people then we shall suffer and shall always do harm to others and cause them to suffer." So perhaps it is not fear, then, but ignorance that causes hate and bigotry to manifest itself in some people instead of compassion and charity.

Answer 2

I think you've answered your own question, ed. It seems that the obvious answer to who's a good Christian is "whoever conforms more to the teachings of Jesus Christ". As far as I know, Jesus taught nonjudgment, loving your neighbor, and serving others. So it seems like the people who actually do these things are better Christians. It makes sense that if a person calls him/herself a "Christian", that standard would be the one to hold him/her to. What I'm saying is, the person can be evaluated according to his/her own standard.

However, it's not for us to say.

I honestly try to be a follower of Jesus Christ, but I know that I'm not perfect all the time. I also know that Jesus Christ will be our Judge, and He's the best possible choice, because He knows our hearts and our circumstances so He can take everything into account when judging us. In contrast, when we see each other, we don't have all the information, so we are not qualified to judge in the same way. In addition, I hope I wouldn't want to steal away the opportunity from someone to grow and get better by judging him/her too soon. After all, I think that one of the differences between "good" people and "bad" people is just that "good" people's sins perhaps aren't as visible.

No, religion is not immaterial in living a good life. Just because we aren't perfect right now doesn't mean that we can't try to be better. And religion gives us a goal to shoot for, as well as the tools to try to get there. None of us is even close to as good as Jesus Christ. It's like saying that I'm a little closer to the sun because I can jump 3 feet than my brother who can jump 2 feet -- either way both of us are pretty far. However, if my brother practices and tries, maybe he'll get to the three-foot level someday. That's better, right? When we try to be good people and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, even though we will surely continue to sin, hopefully we will make some progress, even if it's small, towards becoming more like Him. His grace can make up for the rest.

It's natural for people to be at different places in their progress towards becoming like Jesus Christ. After all, we all start under different circumstances and with different talents. However, as long as we're making progress, He accepts our efforts. Thank goodness we're "graded" on effort, not achievement!

Answer 3

OK, first these are facts.
There is a hell, and without dealing with the sin issue, that is the default destination of all mankind. Threatening hell is useless and actually condemned by scripture. No human being has the authority nor the ability to send or commit one's eternal soul anywhere. That is for God alone. The term "judge not lest you be judged" is more rightly translated, "do not condemn anyone to hell or you may just find yourself there instead".
The good news is that God has taken care of the sin issue once and for all through His Son and His redemptive work on the cross. This is a free gift for all who are willing to ask for it. Yes, even the most wretched that all else have rejected. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save.
Now, there really is no "good" Christian or "bad" Christian. In reality, we are ALL "bad", just saved by grace. Now, there are "good" witnesses, and "bad" witnesses--but there are also very, very, VERY many pretenders. Many on YA come in as wolves in sheep skin. They will even make their name sound "reverential" and then feed you enough "truth" to lower your guard, then poison you with a subtle lie. I have seen it many times and have gotten so sick of it, I have ceased my activity on YA, and now just answer my emails to those who are seeking real answers. So don't be taken in by the many imposters.
I can back all of the above with scripture if you need me to. I answered this question because I search my name sometimes. And it was a good, honest, question. I hope I have answered it for you. If I can make one suggestion. Stop looking at people as representatives of Christianity. They are fallible and will mess you up every time. Rather, look to Christ in His Word. There you will find the true Christianity. We are all but stupid humans trying to do what God told us, and many of us fail miserably. Some just fool themselves and think they are doing a great job.

Answer 4

I'm Christian, Catholic to be exact.

I hear many people spout that they're a Christian and then turn around and act UNChristianly towards another human being. They get nasty, they swear, they start judging, they say that person is going to hell, etc.... Boy, it sure amazes me how so-called "Christians" will act at times.

In fact, I resigned a Yahoo! Literati game once and the next thing I know the woman is IMing me and asking me if I believed in Jesus and was saved. When I told her I was Catholic she told me that I was going to hell and then tried to convert me in an effort to save my soul. Yeesh, was that a total turn off.

Many people believe that being a good Christian means that you have to conevrt people to your religion and I have news for them... NO IT DOESN'T! Jesus spread the good news about Christianity, but he never put pressure on anyone to covert nor chastised anyone for failing to convert.

I also find it funny how the Protestants put so much belief into, "Once saved, always saved" and could careless about good works. Well I have news for them, they need to open their Bible to James 2:14, which reads: What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? Sorry, but a genuine faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ will not transform a person's life so that "good works" will flow from that living faith. IMHO, everyone (including Atheists) should ALWAYS be doing good works simply because it's the right thing to do as we walk this Earth. Nope, good works shouldn't come out of a genuine faith, good works should come PERIOD.

I think most Catholics, I included, are a good representation of a good Christain unlike the majority of protestants out there. After all, we have an organization called Catholic charities that helps everyone who comes to their door regardless if they're Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Atheist, or Agnostic. I'm sorry, but you don't see this happening in the Protestant arena. Many Protestant churches do good (that I won't deny), however, they only do good for people of their own kind. If you're not a Baptist then don't count on getting help from any of them unless you convert.

So to answer you're question, I believe that Catholics are a good representation of what it means to be a good Christian. Unlike Protestants they truly put the "what would" in WWJD. Am I saying all Catholics are good Christians? No. Am I saying all Protestants are bad Christians? No. However, I am saying that your best representatio of a good Christian are the Catholics. I feel they come closest to what a true Christian does, thinks, feels, believes and embodies as a whole.

Answer 5

I don't think there's any such thing as a good or bad Christian. No one can rate our goodness as a Christian or as a person...there's no scale or measurement I mean. What matters is that a person is trying his/her best to follow God's will and not anyone else's. Sure some Christians are super nice, others are the opposite. But some people are young in their faith, are weak in the faith, or don't know that their rudeness causes pain, or don't ask God to help control themselves, etc.
Religion is not necessary for "a good, pious life"... isn't it the way people respond to the actions of others the way we lead life? Religion helps those who respond to their need of it. It is not to control us. Least, not when it's practiced in the heart.

Answer 6

Not all charitable people are Christians and not all Christians are charitable people. According to biblical scripture, the only way to achieve salvation is to accept Jesus as your savior, and to then lead a Christian lifestyle that rebukes the worldly mindset and concentrates on spiritual matters. Charity is certainly a facet-kindness to the poor, ministering to the sick, helping widows and orphans. But to those of us who claim Christianity as our life, it is not always easy. You can be the most charitable, kindest person in the world and not be a Christian, and you will be rebuked by us for not being saved and not being able to go to heaven. But to be a Christian you must also be charitable, kind, modest and willing to sacrifice, or otherwise you are wasting your time. I do not say this to be cruel or to be a jerk, it is simply the truth as I see it as it pertains to Christ's teachings.

Answer 7

I don't particularly believe there is a *good Christian* roaming round anywhere BUT I, like you, have had the pleasure of meeting believers that have struck a chord with me by maintaining their beliefs on and offline.

Some folk have it in them to be naturally charitable and giving and warm and loving - other believers will be pre-disposed another way - it's not to say they aren't good Christians ... they're fashioned towards another type of people is all ... I'm glad for the mix even if there are a lot of Christians I really don't want to be living next door to in Heaven ... DAD works all things together for HIS good ...

Answer 8

look for the 9 fruits of the spirit. There are a lot of people that have the bible almost memorized but don't have even one fruit of the spirit [ and are complete jerks]. Jesus knows the difference too. He says many times in the bible that he will separate the sheep from the goats

Answer 9

Again I like your honesty and sincere attitude. I believe that being a good Christian means not judging and living the best life you can. Also accepting the fact that you are not able to do everything your self, humility is a big part of it.

Answer 10

The whole Bible can be summed up by 2 laws as Jesus said: Love they neighbor as thyself, Love thine God with all thy heart. Many folks want the rewards of Christianity without obeying Christ which doesnt work and makes good christians less credible.