Why do non-christians measure the entire christian faith by those who embarrass the faith?

Question

Non-christians only please-No one line answers I want real answers that are thought out and articulate, because I believe it is better to judge a belief system not on the outrageous morons who corrupt it, but by someone who truly lives out what they believe. I realize that there are people out there who claim to be christians, but they pervert it--should they really be able to discount someone who doesn't allow those perversions into their lifes? Do you really think that is fair to judge christians by the hypocrites? If you do--How can you say that when someone looks at the Muslim faith and discounts it because of sucide bombers, many say that is wrong, even I believe that is wrong--how do you rectify it with doing the same thing to christianity?

I'm not looking to be converted into non-belief, I welcome anyone who would like to have a challenge of beliefs systems to im me, but understand I want equal time to prove my belief system as I give you.

CORE I challenge you to read more disect less.
Matthew 5:44 in conjuction with your first reference
Mar 6:11--he's telling his disciples to walk away from those who refuse to hear the truth not to force the issue or beat the over the head with it, Jesus (as Lord) would deal with the unbelief when Judgement day comes.
John 7: Read the whole chapter-Jesus didn't say he wasn't going, he said he wasn't going right then with the them.

Jesus running away--you need to read up on travelling habits of people in Biblical times--they travelled in very large groups, he was in the synagogue teaching at the age of 12, the fact that Mary and Joseph misplaced him and left him is more accurate.
Mattew 12:50-- with your verse 49 he's not denying, he is saying that those who follow and believe in him will be as close as his siblings and mother are
Romans 8:32-the whole verse he gave us his son freely-so we who believe should give freely of all that we have been given physically & spritually

Matthew 19-17&19
-murder-- Ex 19:13
-adultry--Ex 19:14
-Lying--Ex 19:15
-Honor father and mother- Ex 19:12
Love your enemy as yourself-Mattew 5:44 in a very simple way Jesus claimed his diety as God and is saying that his words should be treated as divine law just as the words in Exoudous this particular scenario is for a specific person because Jesus knew the rich young man's heart. 2 Corinthians 3: you totally missed the 2 verses before that 12 and 13 give realization that the passage is speaking about Isreal, and that when Isreal turns back to God the veil will be lifted from their hearts.

Answer 1

"The chain is only as strong as its weakest link"

(Sometimes one liners can be thought out and articulate answers)

I judge(d) Christianity based on the acts of the ministers of the churches that I attended. If they are to lead and expect people to follow, they - in my opinion - should be shining examples. Unfortunately, the majority of ministers that I have encountered have not been.

I do not judge all Christians by the acts of any one Christian; I do not judge any group by the acts of any individual in that group.

I do not judge all dogs by the acts of any one dog; but I developed a fear of dogs after I was attacked by one, unprovoked. (Forgive the comparison - I am not equating Christians with dogs, I am using this to illustrate a point that one may be fearful, doubtful, or skeptical when one has encountered someone who claims to be "Christian" but has, as you point out, perverted those beliefs.)

But I have decided, based on my experience, that I do not wish to belong to that religion. And my most recent experience on Y!A has only reaffirmed my decision.

These are my thoughts.

Answer 2

I can't answer your question, because, though I am an atheist, I don't judge Christianity based on the "outrageous morons". Who are these atheists that do so?

If you go to http://www.godisimaginary.com I am sure you'll find lots of reasons to believe that all gods are man made fiction. And being man made fiction is all that is needed to not believe these religions as anything more than good old mythology... you know about mythology as I am sure you can point to the religions of many and say, "that's just mythology".

I know, this is a lot like giving up on Santa Claus... you might confuse someone who says that a grown adult that believe in Santa must be retarded, with rejecting Santa on the basis that Santa is only believed by people with 7-year old minds... but really, you know why Santa is rejected as imaginary, it's because he is imaginary and his existence as purported by his believers is impossible and illogical.

Answer 3

"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." PROVERBS 3:27

There are so many good christians, but... well, there are plenty of easy targets among modern christians, too. Let's face it- It's really hard to pick apart Mother Theresa, and she deserves a great deal of praise, but when the Archbishop of Vienna endorsed Hitler, he bought himself a one-way ticket to hell (if you believe in such things).

To be fair, I'd like to answer your question by picking on someone with a little more credibility- that is Jesus.

Jesus is a superstar of religious intolerance. In MATTHEW 12:30 he tells us "He that is not with me is against me." Of course in MARK 6:11 he's a bit nicer, saying only that he will destroy the cities that do not recieve his (certainly revolutionary) message kindly- in a manner befitting Sodom or Gomorrah.

Jesus loved everyone, of course- but perhaps he could have been a bit kinder to his own family. Jesus lies to them (JOHN 7:8-10), runs away from them (LUKE 2:43-49), and even denies knowing them! (MATTHEW 12:47-49)

Of course, he did learn his family values from his own deadbeat Father, and that's a fellow that should never be trusted! (ROMANS 8:32)

Still Jesus wasn't that terrific of a christian. I mean, he didn't even know the Ten Commandments! (Actually he made a couple more up just for fun in MATTHEW 19:17-19)

Of course, Jesus is taking this rebuking from a man whom God himself has blinded, so that he will not ever see the light. A grain of salt perhaps is suggested. (2 CORINTHIANS 3:14-16)

Christianity is a farce. I don't discredit GOD because of YOU people. I discredit GOD because of GOD. YOU I still have hope for.

-CORE

Answer 4

I measure the entire christian faith on its claims

some christians are nice, some are bad. Some muslims are nice also. So thats no big deal
Bad christians are the result of christianity. Its the bad ones that actually read and believe the bible.

Being nice doesnt mean trustworthy.

I take issue with the christian doctorines and the bible itself. Its inconsistent with reality.

ECC 2:14 The wise man has eyes in his head,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both

Answer 5

For the same reasons that Christians judge non-christians by those who embarass whatever group you're focused on. It's a normal human tendency to want to be right - and its easiest to illustrate that by finding the lowest person in a pecking order to single out (akin to the black sheep)

IMO the greatest challenge and proof of faith is the ability to say "I might be wrong." That leaves one's mind and spirit open to possibilities that it otherwise might not consider. Mind you, it's not a comfortable state... most growth isn't comfortable. It's challenging, motivational, startling, difficult, eye-opening ... so much more. To constantly fall back on the "I/my faith is 100 percent right" seems a cozy cop out.

separate what you KNOW from what you BELIEVE and discuss it professionally, logcially, and honestly. We'll find much more information about what brings people together this way, instead of what pushes them apart.

FIAT

Answer 6

Because they are looking for the same thing a drunk looks for in a streetlight - support, not light.

They don't want to honestly enguage the Christian faith - they simply want to mock and ridicule - and - the best way to do that is to take aim at the biggest, most embarrasing targets.

They are not looking to jusdge the entire faith - they are just looking to have a good time - in a particularly juvinile form. What they don't realize is that they are granting others the same oppertunity.

Answer 7

I don't measure christians by generalizations, each person has to be looked at for who they are. I know good christians (I'm married to one) and I've known bad; however, to stereotype based on a small sampling isn't wise. I treat others as I wish to be treated.. I show them the same respect I wish to receive from them regardless of belief systems. I don't like being generalized as an atheist even though I know it happens and I can't change their opinions only they can do that.

Answer 8

I would say logical answer would be no. you don't judge by the extreme, you judge by the average. Like on T.V. all you see is people, in the middle east with guns ,screaming there heads off,and shooting in the air. you never see the VASTLY larger population that just live there normal everyday lives, like going to work, school, grocery shopping, hanging out with friends,etc.
That's like having a Iran news cast , covering a Kue Klux Klan meeting, showing the idiots in there bed sheets and saying this is the average, attitude of north Americans.
two more points
1. It seems to be part of human nature in my opinion. that people remember the bad things in life, better then they seem to remember the good.
2.When ever there is a person with non- average way of thinking (or extremist way of thinking), there seems to be at lest a few people that agree with them, and then there are the weak willed (minded), the ignorant, and those who are looking to belong, and so quickly adopt the op ion of the group(a.k.a. the sheep).

Answer 9

the Moral Majority make up 33% of christianity. even some Liberal christians have gone fundie I have experienced some seemingly liberal christians that have gone insane

For the same reasons that Christians judge non-christians by those who embarass whatever group you're focused on. It's a normal human tendency to want to be right - and its easiest to illustrate that by finding the lowest person in a pecking order to single out (akin to the black sheep)

she said it best!

Answer 10

i think in Christianity as a results of fact i think there is one actual God that created the universe and each thing in it. i glance in any respect that has been created and how each thing purposes alongside with human beings, and notice clever layout at the back of all of it. there is astounding order to each thing. to grant credit to the vast bang or evolution is an insult to God. you may get distinctive evidence from the Bible, yet God Himself mentioned the universe is data sufficient, so none of use would have an excuse as quickly as we are dealing with Him. Even the heavens proclaim Him. There are 2 crosses interior the sky. you won't comprehend this, Jesus became into the word interior the flesh. Many did no longer have self belief Him whilst He walked the earth, and distinctive nonetheless won't have self belief Him as He sits on their espresso table. yet, he will nonetheless call out to them, as a results of fact He loves them. i comprehend this, as a results of fact the BIBLE SAYS.