How come Christians preach love and forgiveness but don't live it.?

Question

I've spend the better part of 40 years researching religions, history, science and even some philosophy. I've found more love peace and acceptance from the pagan community than ever seen in the christian community, As a christian I find fake judgemental supperficial people, I know their are some who are not this way but the majority are. I have a lot of respect for a christian who is open minded and seeking the truth but christian who profess so strongly their fath and no little of the bible that is the basis for their beliefs. I challenge christians to learn about wicca after all it is one of the fastest growing religions. To believe in something without the knowledge is like being a flock of mindless sheep.

The only thing I may be judgemental about is the statement that christians are in a large degree ignorant to the dogma they believe in. all else are true life expiriences.

Safetman The use of fear and guilt and being fishers of men and then reinforced by tithe is all negitive aspect of christianity. You know I've never been asked for a dime being a wiccan. the other post stating that he will go to hell learning about another religion is another example someone earlier asked christians if they would go to a mormon church and most said they would to learn what its about is that not a double standard or a contradition?

Answer 1

I am sorry that it is true that there are many Christians that way and it saddens me greatly, because I am one of the "many few" Christians that knows a great tremendous deal about the Bible, right now I am doing an EXTREMELY extensive study on the Old Testament and the more I read in the Bible the easier it becomes to believe and have faith. I've discovered soooo much on how faith is blesses and obedience is blessed and disobedience is cursed and I want so BADLY for the non-christians to become Christians because if they pray and continue to seek God's face actively they will find Him, and that's where our peace lays. Also, the more I learn about Wicca, the more it disturbs me and I don't know how anyone could profess it. But to answer your question, they preach love and forgiveness because they have/are experiencing it, but they forget how AWESOME a thing it was that God did FOR US! And they are still human and still sin and continue to break God's heart for not living the way He wants us to. I am not open minded however to other religions because I SAW the way God changed my life and tremendously changed that of my older brothers, and I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT that GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO HEAVEN!!!

Answer 2

The reason is because we are imperfect, we make mistakes, we make BIG mistakes, sometimes we are purposefully anything but Christlike. Christians that are serious about their faith and following after Jesus Christ and really put effort into it, over time start looking more and more like Him.

If you have truly spent 40 years researching religions, history, science and even some philosophy and I have no reason to doubt your truthfulness, then surely you have come across a few Christians that are better representatives of the Christian way of life than others...

If you are looking at me or any other Christian in order to know who Christ is you are looking at the wrong people. Having spent so much time (40 years is a long time) researching, can you please tell me something about Christianity that is generally bad. I'm not talking about the behavior of some Christians... I'm talking about Christianity from a philosophical stand point.

YES... Christians behave poorly and are an awful representative of who Jesus Christ is... But what's really wrong with Christianity. I will post this as a question but I am really interested in your point of view...


Peace to you...

Answer 3

For me one of the most important parts of Pagan/ Wiccan teaching is that all beliefs are equally valid, and unfortunately here I do believe that almost every case of Christians doing something that seems contrary to Jesus’ fundamental teachings of love and tolerance it is normally because they believe that doing so will be most beneficial for us.

I know how it can feel when someone refusing to accept differences in opinion is unpleasant because of it – I’ve had quite a few Evangelical Christians tell me that I’m destined to burn in hell for eternity whilst I continue to sin with my Pagan beliefs (because, of course, hell is what all Pagans fear – NOT), but I just find myself having to grin and accept that they believe that by trying to save my soul they will be helping me in the long term (and part of me does think bless them for being concerned, but nonetheless my soul feels fine as it is).

Having said that however, my understanding of many key Christian teachings is that if someone is following a sinful way of life that the best approach to resolving it is through love and understanding – as such I think many would draw a line with those who act in a way contrary to that and many (although by no means all) would not consider such individuals not to be true Christians.

There are many Christians more than willing to live in the manner you have described, but unfortunately with Paganism being such an area of contention with some it’s far easier for the Pagan community to remember those who don’t show love and forgiveness.

Furthermore, I do feel that the quest to look into your own truth is a reflection of Pagan beliefs, where such self-discovery and verification is hugely important – for many Christians there is less of a need to discover and verify beliefs (although this by no means stops them if they should so wish) because such truths are believed to be self evident.

(And a personal answer to an above question, the only aspect of Christianity that Wicca really finds objectionable is its insistence that it is the only valid path (and some Christians are even willing to compromise on that), which may or may not include individuals feeling justified in pressuring others into accepting the Christian belief system – otherwise Wicca as a whole has no significant problems (although individuals are a different matter).)

Answer 4

Are Christians really any different then the rest of society? There seems to be plenty of judgment and stone casting from all sides. Regardless if they are Christian, Muslim, Wicca, or whatever, it boils down to acting out their beliefs in a manner that truly reflects the essence of their faith. In that respect, you are correct, because very few people have really looked beyond themselves and their own selfish desires. therein lies the problem, regardless of their reported faith.

Answer 5

the bible says we are to avoid teachings that preach something other than Christ.

Wicca as all other non Christ religions will send you and me to hell.
I don't care about your 40 years of searching. The answer has been right in front of you the whole time.
accept Christ before you breath your last or it will be to late.

Answer 6

Poeple are only good when they are ignorant of their religion's actual teachings and just take most of their morals from society. If a person focuses on religions daily and actually studies it, they tend to become bigotted.

Answer 7

for someone who professes to value acceptance and being 'non-judgmental', you sure SEEM to be of the 'do as i say, not as i do' school of thought...and i suppose part of the wiccan philosophy is exaggeration , stereotyping, and insulting? quite the religion of 'peace and understanding' you have there, if all wiccans are like you, and i suspect they are NOT...

Answer 8

By you submitting this question you are judging others. I'm Christan and practice what I preach, but none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes because we are imperfect. If you are happy learning about Wicca, then that's great.

Answer 9

I've found that most of them only want YOU to live by their religion. They teach it and preach it but so few actually live it.

Answer 10

there are many who don't practice what they preach but not all are like that as there are some nice christians as well