why do non-christians call us hypocrites?

Question

Everyone messes up...no one is perfect, but as Christians we should do our best to live like Christ. So when we mess up why do others turn around and call us a hypocrite?

Answer 1

I only consider someone a hypocrite when he or she has a holier-than-thou attitude and regularly participats in something that Christians consider sinful, such as gambling. A poker game with friends here and there is different from weekly trips to the casino, and combined with that attitude...well you see where I am going.

Answer 2

In part it may be the sanctimonious attitude so many of you project ("We're right and you're wrong, we're going to heaven and you're not, ha ha!") Closely allied to that is your conviction that Christians have a monopoly on truth; you fail to see that every believer must be convinced that his is the only "true" religion, else why would he believe?

But I think the hypocrisy is most obvious in your belligerent attacks on advocates of evolution and on homosexuals. Darwin and Genesis are not mutually exclusive, and in fact the Catholic Church - the original Christians, remember? - allows evolution. As for gays, rather than accept medical findings that sexual orientation is biologically determined and not a lifestyle choice, you continue your venomous gay-bashing. How is this hypocritical? Because you profess to emulate Christ and live a Christlike life...yet Christ welcomed all, both the sheep and the goats, the sinners as well as the saints, yes, even the prostitutes.

Perhaps I hear only the minority voices of the strident. If that's the case, sadly, they are giving all Christians a bad name.

Answer 3

They have probably been in the company of the "zealots" who can do no wrong and have all the answers. I am sick of the folks who constantly say "I'll pray for you" and then go their way with no more thoughts about you. There are a lot of "christians" out there who are christian only because it is the thing to do. I do not use the phrase I will pray for you unless I do it. I don't pray for everyone, although I should. I pray as God touches my heart to do so. I remember 911 and when I heard a plane (the first one) had hit the tower I knew it was not an accident. I was at work and went immediately to the bathroom knelt wept and prayed. Too many fake christians ruining the reputations of the true faithful.

Answer 4

Examples:-
1. Leviticus is usually quoted by Christians when they say homosexuality is bad but Leviticus also forbids the eating of pork - yet plenty of Christians eat pork. Either you follow all the rules or none of them.

2. Many Christians reject abortion saying it's the killing of a living human yet the Bible says that a baby is not living until it draws its first breath (see Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4, Ezekiel 37:5 & 6, Exodus 21:22). Burning down an abortion clinic is not an action advocated in the Bible.

3. There are plenty of Christian priests (and other Christians) who have preached against fornication, alcohol, molesting children, etc etc and yet been quite happy to commit those acts themselves. By your actions so you are judged.

4. Christians pick and choose between quoting the Old Testament which advocates "an eye for an eye" and the New Testament which says "turn the other cheek". They do that to suit their own needs but these two views are opposites - you can't have it both ways.

The truth is that no-one is perfect, Christians and non-Christians alike. But what sticks in the throats of non-Christians is the Christians telling us we're going to Hell, telling us we're all sinners and generally trying to dictate how we should live our lives instead of minding their own damn business and putting their own house in order. Strangely enough being burnt in a place I don't believe in at the behest of a being I don't consider exists for sins I haven't committed after I am dead and past caring doesn't really bother me; it's being constantly being told about it by hypocritical Christian do-gooders that annoys me.

Answer 5

I agree that everyone messes up and no-one is perfect. We all make mistakes.

However, at the same time many Christians persistently and deliberately lie. Lying is the dominant behavior of the creationists, the anti-abortionists, the anti-homosexual lobbies, and the anti-atheist Christians, among others. That's not "messing up" - it's outright evil, done deliberately and persistently.

I don't bother calling people "hypocrites" when the problem is immoral behavior. But the dislike of Christians is not a result of occasional "messing up": it's the result of deliberate immorality.

Answer 6

This is true, a lot of people do mess up, and everyone should be cut a little bit of slack. However, when people say that Christians are hypocrites, usually they're talking about the general group of Christians, not individual people.

In my experience, when I've seen groups of Christians together, they do act like hypocrites. They have huge, multi-millions dollar churches; when they're in church they gossip about who's sleeping with who, who's wearing what. And if you're not in their little clique - as in, apart of another religion, they hound on you. It's basically like a mini Golden Globe awards every Sunday, or alternatively, like being in high school.

It's a very shallow experience. That's why so many people have stopped going to church.

Answer 7

Because when you tell others how to live their life, and then don't follow the same rules, you ARE hypocrites.

For example, many of you claim to follow the injuctions to not judge one another, and to treat each other with love, as you would like to be treated. Then some of you turn around and preach hatred, bigotry, discrimination and therefore violence against LGBT people. Can't you see the blatent hypocrasy in that?

Of course, there are a great number of good Christians who do no such thing. More power to them.

Answer 8

You're like a workman who wants paid for no work-you want salvation you haven't earned through your own strivings handed to you on a plate-I'm afraid karma has other ideas. Hypocrites is one of the more polite terms I would use to describe evangelical Christians although I don't condemn "normal" Christians. At worst they are only misguided.

Answer 9

People of whatever creed/race or religion always find a way to discredit the one who they want to discredit due to fear. A theology, philosophy that is given that scares hell into us we don't want to believe, so when non Christians see a Christian break the law, mess around, etc they are going to call all Christians by that example.
I don't know how many times I have been accused of haboring child molesters because of the crimes of Catholic priests, and I am not even catholic.

New

Answer 10

I would say that most often it has to do with the fact that Christian morality is typically in the eye of the beholder. You will show charity to a kind looking old woman, who you feel sorry for, but you won't do it for the rough-looking street kid in a leather jacket.

You will practice tolerance and respect for others, as long as they agree with your religious faith. But for others, like myself, there can be no respect, because I don't believe in your god.

In essence, you will be "Christ-like" so long as it doesn't inconvenience you, and as long as it doesn't interfere with your prejudices against others. That is why we call you hypocrites. It has nothing to do with what you would call "sin".

Love people unconditionally. Respect people unconditionally. And they will do the same for you.