Sometime I feel ashamed........?

Question

Certainly world history must give us pause and make us wonder what role religion has played in the many wars that have devastated mankind and caused untold suffering.
The realm of Christendom has been noteworthy for its hypocrisy in this field. In two world wars, Catholic has killed Catholic and Protestant has killed Protestant at the behest of their “Christian” political leaders.
The teachings of a religion should influence the personality and the daily conduct of each believer. Thus, each person’s conduct will normally be a reflection, to a greater or lesser degree, of that one’s religious background. What effect does your religion have on you? Does your religion produce a kinder person? More generous, honest, humble, tolerant, and compassionate?
These are reasonable questions, for as one great religious teacher, Jesus Christ, stated: ......by their fruits you will recognize true Christians.”—Matthew 7:17-20.

Any comment?

Strange indeed not many comments.

Yet the Bible clearly contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruitage of the spirit. Regarding the works of the flesh, it states: “They are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning you, the same way as I did forewarn you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” Yet so-called Christians have practiced these things for centuries, and their conduct has often been condoned by their clergy.—Galatians 5:19-21.

del; why do you think I hate Christian when I consider miself to be one?

Answer 1

I am a Christian Jehovah's Witness and my religion definately produces fine fruits in me and my friends. We practice neither war nor violence nor prejudices of any sort. We spend alot of time trying to help others to understand what the Bible teaches and how God wants us to love one another. We do not fuss and argue amongst ourselves or with others. At even large gatherings, there are no harsh words or pushing and shoving. I am extremely pleased with the changes in my actions in the past 13 years since I dedicated my life to Jehovah through his son, Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

I have found that my religion has made me a better person and continues to do so. Will I ever be perfect? Not this side of death. But, the sanctification process does get me closer and closer to that ideal.

I will grant you that many so-called "Christians" (I use the term loosely) have committed horrible crimes and brutality. I concede that. However, if violence is a Christian thing, why do Muslims and Jews practice unspeakable barbarity? Maybe it is a monotheistic thing. But if that is the case, then why the atrocities by Hindus and African Animists? Maybe it is a deist thing. But if that is the case, than why did the atheistic communist movement kill over 100 million people in internal purges?

To answer this, I turned back to my religion to find an answer. The answer I found was so simple, I surprised myself. The reason for all these evil acts is that people, as a whole, are corrupted, tainted by sin. Everything we do is coated in depravity (some coatings thicker than others) because of what we are. Having realized that, I feel less ashamed and more pity for mankind.

Answer 3

The only reason you should feel ashamed is if you did something that is against what you believe.

To answer your question you are getting Christianity mixed up with religions, many catholics and protestants profess to be christians, but aren't really true Christians, that is to say they follow the church not Jesus Christ. They are being led to the slaughter, the blind leading the blind, they would rather take the word of a priest, vicar, pope than do their own investigation and research what is actually written about what the priest preached on Sunday.

Now don't get me wrong there are those in those above named religions that are true Christians and don't worry Our Father in Heaven knows them by what is in their hearts, they may be misled but if they are true Christians then they are the givers, the ones who understand how a person can be led astray and so on, they have compassion for the sick and they give of their time and money to those less fortunate, no work will be left unoticed. God Bless and keep you searching for the truth.

Answer 4

The thing to consider is that not everyone who calls him or herself a "Christian" actually is one! Someone who puts in their 1 hour of obligatory time in church once a week (or twice a yr.) with no daily evidence of Salvation, is NOT a believer! It always irks me when people blame Christianity for things such as the wars you mentioned. I'm a true Bible believer, and if I lived in earlier times, the very organizations you mentioned would've murdered me for my stand on the infallible Bible ALONE, so please, don't lump everyone together! That verse in Matthew IS very relevent.....and 100% accurate! We WILL be known by our fruit!

Answer 5

I Believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ and therefore follow his example and live by his teachings and commandments and i believe that is wat CHRISTIANS reli r supposed to do and be. Lots of ppl in this day and age Claim to be Christians but reli are not Christians u can tell by their actions! They just say they r Christians so they belong to a religion but Christianity in the First Place is not a religion, it is a Relationship with the Heavenly Father with was brought together by His Begotten Son Jesus coming to die on the Cross of Calvary so our sins can washed with his blood and that we will be clensed and be able to go to the Father!!

Answer 6

Astute observations all.

Perahps we should approach this from the end of your question and track back to the beginning.

Jesus said "by their fruits you will know them" [true Christians].

Now let's go back a step. What "religion" was responsible for the wars you speak of? Catholicism?

Now let's go back to Jesus' words. Shall we inspect the fruit and see if we find mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, how about charity?

No?

Listen close, this may be difficult for some of you, by Christ's definition, are Papists Christians?

Answer 7

I have no religion. Sometimes for the sake of inanity I say I'm a Bobist. When we live our lives for a religion, then we do horrendous things in the name of that religion. In essence religion becomes a sort of god. I strive to understand the Divine, and I strive to be a decent person. I don't lie. I don't cheat. I don't harm others. And I don't follow any religion.

Answer 8

what Jesus said is absolutely true, Christians will be known by their fruits. Those of us who follow Jesus should be examples of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. However, we are not perfect and do sometimes fall very short of all of these. But that is why Jesus died and gave us grace.

Answer 9

I agree with the last few lines of your question.
The effect that my faith has on me is to always try to be, non-judgmental, kind, honest, loving,
generous, to be more like Christ in every way.
The effect it has on me is enormous. I shudder to think of what I would be like if Christ wasn't in my heart, guiding me daily for a life full of grace. In Matt 12:9-10

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Answer 10

i dont know whether you can blame yourself or not , after all every religion believes by default that humans err and god would forgive us for our mistakes........like my religion tells me to love people but I dont do that , I think i am definitly paying its price and I try to stop my self but I am just not able to come over the jealousy and hatred which I have towards my people and problems....