I think most people are hypocritical, not just Christians. I'm an Atheist and shucks I probably am hypocritical.
Is it hypocritical to not be a hypocrite?
2006-10-10 16:19:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you are right- we can all be hypocrites at times. Which one of us can truly say that we never say or do anything contradictory to what we say we believe?? For some it is habits that we get into- we know it's wrong and say that it is but at the same time we have a hard time overcoming the issue- for others it is a prideful desire to tell everyone else what is right or wrong while we are insistant on doing what we please when we please. It is not just Christians but because of what we preach, I think we are noticed or spotlighted more.
2006-10-10 16:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A hypocrite preaches one course of action and follows another. Rep. Mark Foley is a hypocrite.
I think many Christians hold a very high standard of behavior, some of which they live up to. The problem is when they assume everyone will have an equal ability to meet that same standard.
There's no way I'm ever going to be straight. And there never was. Assuming that what works for one person automatically works for another is not hypocritical, but it is truly non-compassionate.
2006-10-10 23:24:45 · answer #2 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a matter of degree. You're correct. Hypocrisy is human nature. I think everyone fits the bill on occasion. Christians get accused of it more than most because they tend to revel in it. Hypocrisy isn't something to be celebrated. When you shamelessly push a religion that condemns "non-believers" while at the same time excusing yourself for being an asshole because you've found forgiveness in Christ, you're playing the part of the arch-type hypocrite. It's a crappy way to try to make friends. Of course I'm not talking about all Christians, just the loud, pious, arrogant, mightier than though types.
And yes, a lot of atheists are guilty of spiritual hypocrisy as well. To demand proof of God from an unsolicited preacher is fine, but when you insist that "GOD" doesn't exist simply because the premise isn't falsifiable you're only making an educated guess. To claim it as empirical knowledge puts your mindset into the faith department, which just makes atheism another religion.
2006-10-10 23:38:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The accusation that Christians are hypocrites is as valid as the accusation that all human beings are hypocrites, which is not at all a valid accusation.
I agree that there is an inevitable human weakness that we all share, call it hypocrisy, which varies in degree from one individual to another. So, Christians being humans, the validity of the statement "Christians are hypocrites" becomes more likely in this context.
In this light, the question "is it hypocritical to not be a hypocrite?", becomes something of a paradox, in the sense that the answer really is both Yes and No.
2006-10-10 23:45:58 · answer #4 · answered by josephine 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Romans 3:23 " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. (I know it's a cliche, but true, nonetheless.) Of course we are hypocritical at times. We cannot meet the ideal, that is where grace comes in.
2006-10-10 23:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by reinadelaz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know quite a few hypocritical Christians... so I'm gonna have to go with Yes for $300 on this one Alex.
2006-10-10 23:24:41 · answer #6 · answered by Whatever 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree, most people are hypocrites, myself included. To be hypocritical is to be human I guess.
2006-10-10 23:22:08 · answer #7 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone does things that they know are wrong. People point out christians because they are suprised to see someone slip up when they see other christians live a pretty good life.
2006-10-10 23:23:26 · answer #8 · answered by guy198 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hooray!! Finally someone with some sense, Ofcourse we are all Hypocrites, it;s just that most of us dont want to admit it, we have all done one thing and preached another, its called being human, lol.. At least ur honest, peace man.
2006-10-10 23:23:06 · answer #9 · answered by yahwhoon 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Ah, but a man's reach
Should exceed his grasp
Or what's a heaven for?"
~Robert Browning ("Andrea Del Sarto")
Basically, we all fail to live up to our ideals, but that is precisely the reason to have lofty goals. If our goals were easily reachable, then maybe we set the bar too low.
2006-10-10 23:33:33 · answer #10 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋