Are Christians nice because they want to be, or because they have to be?

Question

Sometimes I feel like the compassion and friendliness of some Christians is not sincere, and that they do it more out of obligation (to try to be like Jesus). I do not believe in doing anything without sincerity, because it loses its meaning. What do you think?

And by the way, no bible quotes please.

Answer 1

I think you could ask the same about people of any worldview or religion.

Why is anyone nice? Is it so that people will not think bad of them, or is it because they are just naturally friendly people?

Are atheists nice to people so that people won't assume they are evil 'cause they don't believe in God?

Are muslims nice so people won't think they're terrorists?

I don't think someone should be thought insincere because they have reasons for being nice other than just feeling like it. It's a social obligation.

Now pretending that you love someone when you really don't care because your religion says you should love everyone --that is insincere.

Answer 2

I think you are asking whether your experiences show that Christians are hypocrites because some are insincerely friendly and/or compassionate..

I really don't think that friendliness has much to do with one's religious beliefs. It's more of a cultural and personality variable. I also don't recall a passage in the Bible which tells people to "go forth and be friendly". There is no specific emphasis on.it.

Compassion is supposed to be part of Christianity, but I'm not sure that it's taught as a specific value. In any event, I would think that compassion is something that is learned over time, as a person grows up and interacts with other people. It is not learned by going to a certain church or studying a certain scripture.

So, I would say that the fact that a few Christians don't seem to be a friendly or compassionate means nothing in terms of what the religion teaches, and it is not necessarily representative of how Christians act. Phonies are everywhere .

Answer 3

This is a Great, but a complex question. First of all just like all people some Christians are nice because they are nice people and some are nice to get what they want or appear a certain way.

In general I agree with your statement about not doing anything without sincerity, however there are somethings we must practice before they become natural.

For example an athlete has to practice their sport. Someone who's over weight has to practice eating less.

So is it wrong from someone who might not naturally be nice to "practice" being nice? It may not come across sincere at first but in time, with practice it will be natural and sincere.

As far Christians being more likely to be sincerely nice, if you consider the entire population of those who claim to be Christians I'd say no, if anything they are more likely to be falsely nice. However of those who genuinely pursue a day to day personal relationship with God and try their best to practice what the bible says I think you would find that most of the people are genuinely nice. Though at times they may seem so odd that the niceness seems phony.

Answer 4

I haven't seen much difference between Christians, other religions, and atheists. The fact is human nature wins out mostly over church doctrine. So you have people who are naturally kind, and those who are naturally hateful.

Religions give you a baseline of morality that you either choose to follow or not; almost all Christians choose to ignore some of the teachings of Christ, and much of the old testament. The same is true for Jews and Muslims; they tend to pick and choose the parts of the religion to which they actually adhere.

The excuse given most often is that we (humans) are weak, and easily tempted by the devil. It's nice to be able to blame your bad traits on someone else. In that respect, atheism is a stronger moral stance; atheists cannot blame anyone supernatural (like the devil) for the wrong that they do.

Many Christians seem particularly hypocritical, because not only do they disobey the commandments of their own religion, they are quick to judge both other Christians that are found out, and those who do not accept their faith.

Answer 5

As with any group of people, there will be both types. Personally, I think the more a person grows in Christ, the more of his attributes will become their own, and that includes compassion, gentleness, love, patience, kindness, etc.. the things that make a person 'nice'. I'd like to hope the things I do are out of a kind and gentle heart, rather than duty or obligation, although there are times when dealing with my children and husband it is strictly duty and obligation that keeps me going, but that is a Christian's duty, as well. But for friends and strangers, it tends to just flow. Most of the time! (Might as well be honest, too, huh?)

Answer 6

Thats the most important thing to me when I meet someone...Their sincerity level..They dont have to be kind, but I respect someone who is honest with who they are and what they are all about..But as a Christian its hard not to put on the fake appearance even when you don't really feel like being nice ! You know, life has a way of beating you up on certain days and you cant always be in a good mood.

Answer 7

Christians, like other people in general, aren't all one way or another. They want to be "nice" people because they want to be treated nicely (a Bible quote here would be appropriate but I am forbidden to do so).

One of the desires of a Christian is to become more like Jesus. By this I mean more at peace, looking at people as objects of Gods love, walking more closely with God.

When these things are done by the person trying to do them in their own strength it is more often than not unsuccessful and comes off as insencere.

When these things are achieved as a natural process of growing closer to God in daily living, they are so unusual that they can make you uncomfortable as well... although, hopefully, it will make you curious as well.

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Christians are nice because they want to be and after a while it becomes part of them. i mean it become a second nature. and knowing that God command us to be nice to everyone in as much that is the only way we can win soul for him. been nice is not just saying hi to someone on the street, it goes beyond that. nice is when you help others and at times be diplomatic in your dealings with everyone. i would rather use the word love instead of nice. as a christian, there is a reward for every good work we do. christian could accomplish because the the help of God Almighty

Answer 9

That's a good question... I know that I'm usually nice because I want to be nice. But I can't say for certain that has anything to do with Christianity... I liked to be nice even before I was Christian.

There are some times that I'm nice because I know that I should be and really don't want to anyway, lol, but... I find that after a while, despite my initial hesitation, I want to help after a while, and I'm glad afterwards that I decided to be nice.

Well, that's just me anyway, no idea if that'll help you or not, lol.

Answer 10

Some of it is clearly forced, yes, but I have met some genuinely nice and compassionate Christians who are that way because they want to be. They are Christian because they are compassionate, not the other way around. You can always tell the ones who are sincere.