I have a good friend, who I jokingly refer to as the uber christian. she goes to church or bible study everyday, is always quoting scripture, and is constantly complaining about the erroding values of the us, and that if we would all embrace Jesus everything would be fine.
One example of this would be just the other day when she was saying how wrong it was for ppl in her apartment building to lie and sneak pets into there homes even though they are against the rules. Yet not 30 seconds later, she showed me pictures of the baby racoon she is raising. When I asked if she thought this was wrong, she said it wasn't because she didn't plan on keeping it forever.
I also once had a pastor who happily stole cable from a neighbors house. Well the neighbor helped him hook it up. But anyway, he justified this by saying that he paid the cable company enough for his internet service, so they owed him. And he also mentioned that pastors generally don't make alot of money, so it was charity.
2006-07-10 01:36:08 · 9 answers · asked by evil_kandykid 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
psycho--how is questioning God not standing by what they believe in, especially if they don't believe in God?
2006-07-10 01:42:15 · update #1
For the record, i'm not passing judgment, I probably do things like this. But I try not to complain about something, then ten minutes later do it. i try to wait at least 3 hours, that way I don't get a cramp
2006-07-10 01:43:29 · update #2
Sounds like they figure they got the "big things" right, so the little things don't count.
You did the right thing in challenging your friend. A raccoon seems like a "small" thing... but it's something she was complaining that others did (i.e., breaking the "no pet" rule) and so she is knowingly being hypocritical in her behavior. She needs to understand that her beliefs are being perceived as inconsistent and it's eroding the things she would like to portray to the world about God.
Same thing with the pastor you mentioned. Sure, it's always a temptation to get something for nothing, and sometimes it even seems justifiable (i.e, "I wouldn't pay for it anyway, so it's not like they're losing money," or "Everyone does it," or "I'm already paying a lot and this should have been included").
But as a pastor, he should realize that his life (moreso than the "average person," unfortunately) is an example to everyone around him -- everything he does is a reflection of God to those watching him. He doesn't have the luxury to be inconsistent with his beliefs, allowing himself to steal when convenient.
[Um, aside from the fact that stealing is wrong anyway... :) ]
This is something every individual person has to work through. I wouldn't blame it on the beliefs they hold, but where they are in life spiritually and what areas in their lives they have not yet placed in submission to their beliefs. Hopefully as they get older, they will find it easier to choose to do the right thing.
Meanwhile, you have every right [in a kind way, not to criticize but to help] to mention when their walk is not reflecting their talk.
2006-07-10 01:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is what's known as "religion, not relationship".
Religion talks what is has been taught, but when there is no relationship then there is no real victory.
Victory comes in a close relationship to Jesus. In this closeness, the Holy Spirit guides us moment by moment.
Example~ your friend, the moment you spoke to her about this raccoon? The Holy Spirit would faithfully convict her and her response should have been..."Yeh you're right! I didn't think about it that way. I'll take it to an animal shelter instead."
Relationship with Christ doesn't mean we won't make mistakes, but it does hold us accountable when we realize we have done wrong...
2006-07-10 08:46:45 · answer #2 · answered by montanacowgirlwannabee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When people don't stand by their beliefs, I understand it's a weakness of being a human.
Until God purifies us, well, I make mistakes. I try to live a great life, and often when I speak how to live a great life, I am in fact not trying to influence others, but influence myself. Sure I fall many times, but who doesn't
My favorite example to giggle over when people don't put their word into action is in college, there were a lot of "Hippies" ... or "Hippie wannabe's". Anyways, they'd preach the hippy lifestyle: hug trees, don't pollute enviroment, save the animals ... but then it seemed that they all wasted paper
2006-07-12 14:18:41 · answer #3 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately there are too many people out there like that. Both Christian or otherwise. I know I would not be going to that pastor's church.
2006-07-10 08:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by bobm709 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They world is full of hypocrites. It takes to much energy to hate them. Plus, hate is such a strong word...I guess I just don't like the general idea behind what it would take to hate someone.
2006-07-10 08:41:50 · answer #5 · answered by laetusatheos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like when people can not defend their beliefs when truth is brought to them, or people who can not explain why they do what they do spiritually.
2006-07-10 08:40:13 · answer #6 · answered by Pobedy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those people are stupid. I HATE that. like my "atheist" friends who always say "but if god is real".
2006-07-10 08:40:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is perfect
2006-07-10 08:41:17 · answer #8 · answered by dxle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ahh thanks! i needed that. i almost forgot why I'm NOT a christian.
2006-07-10 08:41:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋