Hypocrisy????

Question

Christians are not always Christ-like. Their hypocrisy turns unbelievers away. Even so, why do unbelievers blame hypocritical Christians for their unbelief? Wouldn't that give you the chance to become the real follower of Christ? By becoming a Christian and showing others how you feel a Christian should behave- isn't that better than condemning us all rather than giving an example?

Answer 1

Saying that one is not a Christian because actual Christians are poor examples of true Christians is good enough for some people--not only do some feel justified, but they also get the side effect of having yet still others cheer them on. So, they kill a few birds with one stone: condemn people whose job--and within whose ability--it is not for them to judge; get some (empty, useless) points from the club of so-called freethinkers; and feel themselves to be superior and enlightened by standing on an imaginary precipice and looking down their nose at people in an imaginary abyss.

It is easier to look down one's nose and condemn Christians than to look up to the heavens and condemn God. I tend to have more respect for the people who take this second route, though, because at least they are not deluding themselves about who it is they actually hate.

I am not saying that I respect people because they hate God; I am saying that I respect people who say they hate God more than I respect people who point to other people and say (or infer) that they hate them, while blinding themselves to the bigger issue, which is that they hate God--but they haven't the guts to say it.

That is, pick a side of the line and stand there, instead of picking out individuals on one side of the line and saying that they're awful for standing there. Some people like to imagine that they're standing nowhere in particular, and so get to judge all the ones in the two lines. However, they are, indeed, standing on one side of the line--they just won't admit it to themselves, to anyone else, or to their maker. This is the most brazen cowardice I know of.

Answer 2

Christians are suppose to be God's ambassadors. We are suppose to be an example for the rest of the world, that we so let our light to shine, as a light in a very dark place. If you are full of the love, belief, and faith in Jesus this is suppose to make our job easier.Any time a non Christian feels a Christian is being hypocritical it's because of their unbelief because I think they really want to become a Christain but they feel they have to give up too much to do that, so they label us hypocrits (because there are hypocrits out there). Maybe a little jealously there also because we have taken that step and they haven't. So who's gonna notice one more, and figure out I want to become a Christain I just don't have the guts..We each must seek out our own salvation. The Bible is our road map. It dictates how we should act, because it is the inherent word of God. No it's not better than condeming us all, because the Bible tells us as God would be telling us to be an example. Obediance is better than sacrifice.I think more fear and uncertainty than hypocracy, on behalf of the non-believer.

Answer 3

Usually when non-believers use hypocrisy as a reason they aren't Christian, that's only one of many reasons. Some may not believe the bible is anything more than stories illustrating moral lessons. Others may take issue with the literatal interpretation of the creation myth. Others still just don't identify with the Christian god in general. Perhaps some of these people have never had a personal experience to prove that the Christian god cares or exists at all. Maybe all of the above. It really depends on the individual.

I'm in the "all of the above and more..." category myself.

Answer 4

I don't "blame" Christians for the fact that I'm Deist. I investigated Christianity and found it didn't coincide with my personal beliefs, so I moved on. The only problem I have with Christianity is their extremists, the fundamentalists or Evangelicals who persist in thinking we are all living in a theocracy. When and if anyone, and it wouldn't have to be a Christian, tries to legislate their religion into my life I'm going to protest, and very loudly.

Answer 5

My husband and I stopped attending "church" because of this reason. We are still worshipers of God, still faithful and try to be the type of Christian that God wants us to be. I think that people who are looking for a reason to believe or not to believe, they look at the examples that stand out the most. Faith is a confusing thing by it's very nature, and when someone sees the bad examples, I suppose they figure "what's the point?"

Answer 6

By that reasoning, perhaps some Christians should become Muslims to demonstrate what a true Muslim ought to be like, and maybe a few other people should become ideal politicians....

Realistically I don't see that happening...

Answer 7

You simply prove you don't know what being a Christian really is.

You think everyone who claims to be a Christian on here really is?

Of course not!

Answer 8

No, we don't blame it on hypocrite Christians. It is the fact that Christianity is false that we are "unbelievers."

Answer 9

Your right. I don't think they intend to but they use the word loosely without reading the bible or even knowing what it means other than if I die I will go to heaven.

Matthew 24:5
For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many.

Answer 10

Give us a Break.
It is HARD to Walk in Holiness.
At Least we are Trying.
And we mess it up alot too.
At Least we are Children of GOD.