To self-identified Christians out there, why are most of you hypocrites?

Question

Most Christians that I met have a sense of superiority and arrogance, which I feel is the essence of the reason why many individuals do not like Christians. I was once involved in church, "walking Christian" as they call it, but then soon enough, I realized that church is just an institution just like everything else, you got politics (even more than other groups), populars vs. non-popular social groups, back stabbing self serving people, and off course some genuine nice folks as well. All these behaviors that were labeled by Christians as "sin" were committed by members of the church (e.g. a Bible study leader getting someone pregnant, Bible study leader stealing someone's girlfriend, asking for mission money and going to mission trip in hopes of hooking up with someone). When I raised these questions, a continous theme emerged "Christians are not perfect". This felt like an automatic disclaimer rather than a genuine wish to change. So for Christians out there, what's up with that?

Answer 1

i think some Christians just cannot handle being human and Christ-like at the same time. Christ was perfect in every way according to the Bible, and most Christians are held to that standard. They may feel perfect on Sunday while sitting in the sanctuary, but M-Sat. they tend to get on with life and forget how to behave. They preach and preach at others to change their habits, go to church, etc but in their quest to "save" everyone else, they often lose patience and criticize the very people they are trying to win over, alienating that person even more. This is why Christians are seen as judgemental. Alot of the bad behavior stems from persons who have figured out that Christianity is a money magnet. When confronted, often times they become defensive that one would dare question their faith or lifestyle, so they have come up with that generic answer "Christians aren't perfect". I think this is a good question and gets good debate going, I see nothing in your question that shows "disdain for God" and you seem like a spiritual person trying to find your path. good luck (hope my ramblings made sense..lol)

Answer 2

Well-said. I also used to be a Christian. Grew up in church, actually. Now... I can't stand Christians, for the most part. They are more condemning than members of any other religion I've met. For some reason, other religions believe how they believe, but Christians believe it, and hate you if you don't. They say they love you, but really, they just gossip, and lie, and cheat, and lash out with fangs at people who disagree with their self-serving closedmindedness. I don't understand it. Been trying to for a while now.
Oh, and Schneb... I'm not using my bitterness towards Christians to hide my disdain for God. Seeing Christians. The majority, not a few. People say, "You've never met a True Christian then." If that's the case, they simply don't exist. My dad was a pastor. I saw Christians my whole life. And 90% of them are petty and hateful. So you're wrong. Christians are simply taught to be that way. I've watched it happen.

Answer 3

Why is it always only Christians that you people whine about? Of all the things you wrote about Christians, do not muslims do these things? Do not Buddhists do these things? Seventh Day Adventists? Catholics? All of which, by the way, we have here in America. Your long-winded tirade presupposes the notion that Christianity is the only belief that is to be held up to standards that all the rest are exempt from. It's called a "Hasty Generalization" and you have stepped in it big time.Your entire question fails the test of relevancy for that reason alone. The only common thread I keep hearing from people like you is to keep bashing Christianity because of your self-serving insecurities that you're quite comfortable to wallow around in while spewing your groundless, baseless assertions. Next time, shop around and compare more "religions" to Christianity before you make your premature judgements about things you've mentioned,and that I'm sure you're guilty of a few as well. Have a nice day..... hypocrite.

Answer 4

i hear you. It is true that most people believe that Christians are the only army that shoots their wounded. The church is a place to be open and be safe. Christians are just people like everyone else and who knows, maybe God put you into their lives to show them the error of their ways. Maybe it was your job to lift that person up spiritually.

The devil is going to ask for permission to test everyone affiliated with a church because we are in direct opposition to his cause. This is when believers can rally around each other and help those in need. Pray for the leaders in the church you described and that they serve a B I G God

Answer 5

no offense, but all of the criticisms you have just made about christians could also be applied to jews. The only difference is jews don't go out of their way to annoy people and try to get them to convert to their religion; rather they just accept anyone who becomes a member, which may explain why it seems like there are so few jews in the world. Christians could learn a lot from jews.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, some Christians will use the "we aren't perfect" as an excuse to do some horrible things. I am sorry that you have met some not very nice Christians.

Answer 7

I don't think I'm a hypocrite, or arrogant. Basically, I'm better than no one (relatively speaking) and no one's better than me (relatively speaking).

and hypocricy is when you KNOWINGLY do something contrary to your word, without actually lying. So if I tell you "smoking marijuana is a horrible act that no one should get into" but yet I get high every day, then that'd make me a hypocrite. But if I say "name calling is wrong" but I lose control and forget that, that doesn't make me ahypocrite, but still in the wrong.
and can we please stop the stereotypes and generalizations? I don't consider muslims terrorists, atheists druggies, buddhists contradictory in peace, or the like. Really, it's not really good to anyone.

Answer 8

Don't judge the religion because a lot of people in it are dumb. Christianity, when followed correctly, has tons of merit. But there are lots of people who use the religion to get their own goals met (making $, getting people to follow them and believe what they say, etc). This isn't the fault of the religion, it's the fault of screwed up parents who didn't teach their kids correctly about God.

Answer 9

I'm sorry you were dupped by so called Christians. I agree with your intellegent observation of the people that are supposed to represent the ; "Christ like people"

But, since we are human, we are subject to failure and when we are complacent and think we are God's gift to mankind; we are the first to fail.

God gives us time to perfect ourselves and we hope we have that time to become better people. So we all have to look into ourselves and see our own failures and correct them.

This God is patient and kind and if it was me in control I would ZAP all of the bad people. Since I am not, I am thankful God forgives me and doesn't ZAP me for all of the things I failed at. He is giving me time to do some white-out corrections. All he asks of me is to forgive those who offend me and he will forgive me for offending Him! Wow! That's easy!

So if you are unhappy with others behavior as you wrote, try being better than they are acting, and see if your intellegence and love can make them better people too!

You have a great spirit about yourself so go with it!

For sure; God wants you to use it. He told me to tell you that! HW

Answer 10

I am a Christian, but do not attend church for many of the reasons you state in your details.