Why do Christians act like the Pharisees that Jesus denounced?

Question

I have read all kinds of things on this site from 'Christians.' These people strut around as if they are the gift of God to the world. It seems to me that if you are going to follow someone, you would want to be just like that person. The very un-Christlike behavior I've seen here and in 'Christians' everywhere:
1) Finger-pointing and threatening
2) Acting like moral watchdogs
3) Ostracizing people who are already marginalized by society
4) Spewing hateful words ("God hates you if you don't _____")
5) Unbelievable pride in believing 'The Truth'
6) Closed-mindedness to anything that doesn't agree completely with what they believe
and
7) Acting like complete victims

I mean, really. If Christians really were in this very close relationship with God, I would think they would act a little more Godly.

Instead I see people strutting around, acting as if they have the authority to proclaim who is good and who is bad.

One responder said he would pray that God would send more 'forgiving/forgiven' Christians my path.

I read these statements in his other answers:
"Why is it that whenever people like you want to argue Biblical doctrine, you only use part of the scripture????
I think it's hilarious when people say things like "This verse "clearly" states.....", when what you cite clearly does not state what you think it does. Let me know when you get a clue, I'll be waiting. I'll pray for you."
and
"...Uh huh.... do you even realize how ignorant this question makes you sound."
and
"...You're an idiot."
and
"The easiest answer is "Read the Bible".

This perfectly exemplifies the kind of smug, hypocritical, unGodly behavior that I'm talking about.

My good sir, if you are praying that God puts more 'true Christians' in my path I sincerely hope you are not counting yourself among that number.

I've read through all of these answers. Some of them are quite thoughtful. Thank you, Zaylady. I agree: not all Christians are judgmental Pharisees. I have known a few truly good-hearted Christians. (Ann LaMott springs to mind...)
One person began their response with 'Those were Jews'
Um, I'm sorry, but WTF?
Did you really just say that?

My point remains, but semantically altered.

Why is it that fundamentalist Christians act so much more like Pharisees than they act like Jesus?

Answer 1

Not all Christians behave this way. Please don't lump us all together like that. Some of us do remember that Jesus told us to love.
I used to behave in the way you describe and, looking back, I know that I have hurt a lot of people. I have since worked hard to separate myself from that hateful lifestyle and would like to be recognized as a nice Christian person. Yes, there will always be room for me to improve myself, but give me a chance to show that not all Christians are the same.

Answer 2

Well... because of people like you saying things like that. It's like spiritual ping pong in a way. BUT... yes there is a very huge problem with fundamentalism in the world right now. Christians need to take a long hard look in the mirror. Because it's very possible that fifty or a hundred years from now fundamentalist religion will be illegal and looked down on the same way we look down on the Nazis today. Fundamentalism is fascism. And these so-called "conservative" "evangelical" "christians" need to stop acting like idiots and being part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

Answer 3

Many Christians do - in fact, in this period of *Tribulation,* the majority of Christians act evil|


The Christian hypocrites fall into three main classes|


(1) Those who are *into good works* without Charity| They do "good" to feel good about themselves and to give them standing in the community| Catholics fall into this category|

(2) Those who *have faith* without Charity| Those are the Protestants who believe in the false sola fide (faith alone) doctrine to be saved|

(3) Those who *have piety* without Charity| Those are your ultra traditionalist Catholics who pray the Rosary for hours per day, go through all sorts of devotions, i.e. daily Mass - but there is no authentic love in their hearts for other people


If the Bible is read and interpreted properly, those who are saved are those who truly care for the validation and happiness of other people - even going to the extent of sacrificing for their needs|

Those who are lost and *damned forever* are those who simply see others as a means for their own ends - and this is true no matter what the externals of faith, good works, or piety that the person expresses|


The Bible teaches this lesson - that it is all about love - and the rest of the Bible is simply the applications of this (i.e. if you love you will keep the commandments), or the penalty for being alienated from God because you choose to do evil (which is a major theme of the OT)|




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Answer 4

Dear Friend,

A true Christian would always act out of love for his or her fellow man.

Is a person is judgemental, unloving, hateful or many of the things that you have stated then they are certainly not Christian.

It is not pride that makes us proclaim the truth, but a command from God himself. Jesus ordered his followers to make Disciples of all the nations, for this purpose the Gospel must be preached.

Matthew 28: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

maybe closed mindedness is not the right word, possily faith would be more accurate.

God Bless

Answer 5

Only a few of these really apply to me. (I don't think I ever act like a victim.)

I would think that people would want to follow someone strong and dependable, but then I really don't care if anyone follows me, I'm not really in need of disciples.

It's interesting you would single out Christians, though. Many are guilty, including me, of some of these items, but don't you think Atheists here have done worse by mocking and ridiculing in nearly every question with no real intention of learning from answers given?

(Or am I mistaken in thinking this is a level playing field?)

Answer 6

I apologize for the experience you have had with some of the Christians you met.

Unfortunately, we Christians often judge too much and love too little.

That's why scripture emphasizes that only God can judge, not humans. And we are to love others, especially the ones do wrongs to us. However we are to remember that everyone on earth IS human - which means none of us is capable of unconditional love. We can only TRY the best we can.

That's where grace of God comes in. My understanding of grace is favor without merits. Only Jesus - son of God, God in human form walked on earth - is capable of giving complete grace. Jesus shed blood for all humans' sins without us earning it. We as humans can only TRY to better walk in the image of God. Do you think deep in your heart, you can find grace to those who behaved badly?

One of my favorite pastor Barry Taylor said that he wishes for the next 10 years, we Christians could just stop talking and start doing. And I can only hope I will start doing a little more and talking a little less.

May God give you peace in your heart!

Answer 7

"Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good." Titus 1:16

Paul, James, Peter, and Jesus says the same thing about hypocrisy. Unfortunately a lot of folks that say they are Christian may have misconceptions of who Christ is - simply because they aren't reading their Bible to be transformed.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Don't measure God by those testimonies, I'd challenge you to open the Bible and see what God's about for yourself. He's written it to talk to you. Then you'll be able to see who really cares about God's Ways and who doesn't... cause you'll see His ways for yourself.

Answer 8

"who is good" and "who is bad" - I don't know about the who part but the Word clearly outlines the what. Shall we stop saying what God has clearly outlined as Truth because you think it is pride? I simply say what I hear and know from the Word. I try not to spue hate (except sometimes at satan) - just truth. It is not "my" truth it is what God has said. What is "godly" - Truth in Love but still Truth. I sincerely hope that is what I am doing.

Answer 9

All Christians act like this?

I'm sorry that you have not met more forgiving/forgiven Christians.

I'll pray that God puts someone in your life who exemplifies His love.

{edit} Hilarious.... you take my answers out of context to refute what I have sincerely said to you... Making you the perfect example of what you say you hate about Christians...

My prayer for you is sincere.... me included or not. I'm not here to be approved of by you.

Thanks for making me smile today..... hilarious

It's funny that you use my answers against me, to make the argument that I'm a judgemental and closed minded Christian or Pharisetical....

Have you read your answers with the same critical eye? I doubt it. But whatever... argue what you wish. You make Biblical claims about Christians yet say the Bible can't be trusted. So why do I need to be held to your view of a Biblical standard.

You are using the same illogical argument that you claim Christians use to defend their faith. I'm not moved. From a Biblical standpoint, you lead a life of sin (based on your answers) yet I have not judged you, as you have judged me.

Again... hilarious, that you don't see the dichotomy of your arguments.

Answer 10

Those were Jews. We don't say who is good, and who is bad, because we know that we have all sinned equally. We say what sins are bad, and that everyone can be forgiven. We are commanded to forgive others, or else we cant expect to recieve forgiveness for our own sins.