Misinterpreting the word of Jesus?

Question

Why do so many people that claim to be Christians have hearts and minds so full of hate?

Is it because most of them are blindly following what they've been told without actually READING the scriptures?

I see Christians all the time bashing gays, people of other religions, people who think differently than they do.

It seems like to me that if you're going to call yourself a Christian, which by the way the definition of "Christian" is to be Christ-like in doctrine and belief, that you wouldn't be so closed minded and treat other people like crap just because they don't think like you do. Thousands of people who were once believers leave the church every year because the people around them are intolerent, closed-minded, ignorant and self-rightious.


I think Jesus would be very disappointed if not pissed off over the way some of his so-called followers act nowadays.

What d'ya think?

Good answers so far, folks...

What I would like to know is if it's mandatory to read the bible before you say you're following the teachings and lessons in it...

Seems like to me that if you're going to call yourself a Christian that you should at least read the book and not take other people's word for it. That's how fanatics are created...by following someone who sounds like they know what they're talking about when in fact, a lot of them are making it up AND getting away with it because no one will crack open that book and verify what's being told to them.

Armygal ~ The hatefulness I'm talking about has a perfect example with the woman and her church that carried the "God hates fags" and the "Dead soldiers manke God happy" posters. The ones that had the audacity to picket in front of a family who had just lost a child to the war.

If you're a (true) Christian, shouldn't people that make a mockery of the faith be denounced?

There's lots of rainy day Christians and misguded ones out there that are turning people away from God in droves and I was just wondering when the Christians that follow the doctrines of Christ are going to stand up and seperate themselves from such nastiness.

Answer 1

I totally agree. (I'm a Christian). But this has been happening since Biblical times. Jesus was always up against the 'religious leaders' who thought they were better than him and knew the scriptures better than him, but they had no love for their fellow man. I love the story in the Bible where they drag a woman 'caught in the act of adultery' into a public place and try to trick Jesus by letting HIM decide her punishment. Instead of condemning her, he takes a moment, then calmly says 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone' (stoning 'sinners' to death was common practice)... so she lived! And Jesus made a very important point... we all fall short of God's expectations of us, so who are we to judge others? And if you do feel compelled to bring up someone else's issue with them, it must be done in love (Jesus told the woman not to do it anymore before sending her on her way). What a fantastic example Jesus is! If only we could all be more like that!

Answer 2

Yes Jesus did call us to love each other! In fact, love of God and love of neighbors are called the most important commands!

But, don't confuse love for tolerance. None ever loved more than Jesus, but he often rebuked those who did wrong! He called the scribes and Pharisees, "hypocrites!" In at least one instance he called them a "brood of vipers"!

Yes Jesus loved them, but he also loved the truth!

Now we are not Jesus. The Bible clearly teaches we are not to judge others based on our own standards. In fact, we should first get the log out of our own eye! Then we can see clearly to remove the speck from someone else's eye, but the Bible does not teach that we should ignore that speck.

The point is that we should not judge based on what WE like or dislike. The word of God should be the standard of what is right or wrong!

If we see someone else is in the wrong, it would be unloving to just say nothing and let them remain in their sin. If we love them we will want them to be saved. The idea behind the speck in the eye is that we HELP THEM remove it.

Also, we cannot stand by and let them influence others to sin. Sometimes we can counter this influence by encouraging them in a better direction. Sometimes a little reproof or correction is in order, but there is also a time to rebuke openly (like Jesus did). Our goal should be to help as many avoid sin and go to heaven as we can! This is motivated by love, not hate.

(If we hate those in the wrong, we would say nothing and let them, and all they influence, stay in their condition.)

Sometimes this balance between love and speaking truth is hard to maintain. Please forgive me when I sound harsh.

We should "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching". (2 Timothy 4:2)

We should love each other, but this does not mean we have to weaken our position on sin.

Answer 3

I agree but we do not wont to seperate ourselfs as much as include others we need to get the true message of Christ out, that we must forgive others if we expect to be forgiven by God we are not to judge but to serve and so on. the bible is freely available in most countrys and yes I agree we should all read it and no one should claim to be christian with out taking it very seriusly. many even believe they are christian with out understanding the true meaning of the word would they be willing to give their life as Christ did ?

Answer 4

God loves the sinner but hates sin. I do not think the church should close its doors on sinners but once sinners get into the church they should cease from their ways or they be excommunicated as a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Even Jesus used to say "Thy sins are forgiven.....go and sin no more". The church is a sanctuary and should be kept holy. Sinners are welcome and should come and accept Jesus as their personal saviour, be washed with the blood and stay clean and holy.
1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed.
1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Answer 5

True, radical Christianity is counter-intuitive and impractical. It effectively directs you to give yourself away to the needs of others. Most people can't handle that, so they listen for a message of reassurance that they're doing good. They cherry-pick Bible verses to reinforce their prejudices and ignore the inconvenient truths.

Answer 6

Perpetrators not Christians! The people you speak about aren't really Christians, anyone can "Perpetrate" being a follower. But Jesus will be able to recognize HIS followers by their actions and their sincerity to please his Father as HE did.
May God Bless You

Answer 7

yes, i think so. i was once in a christian organization that treated people far worse than any non christian group I had ever been part of. i don't blame anyone for staying away from church today.

Answer 8

Is it hateful to call sin sin? It is hateful to allow people to condemn their own souls to Hell when I could have shared the truth with them? It is hateful to watch a population slowly killing themselves and not speak up about it?

Be specific, what is exactly the hatefulness you are talking about?

The Bible says if you don't share the truth with people, you HATE them, and if you hate them, you have MURDERED them in your heart.
Personally, I don't want to be a murderer, do you?

Answer 9

Christians are not following the word of Jesus but a word put together by Paul and pagan emperor Constantin.
Jesus loved everyone.

Answer 10

You can't really blame them, it's how they have been taught to behave. So many people just accept what they are told with blind faith.