Are Christians really 'Christian'?

Question

I've noticed questions regarding maters of sexuality - both homo and hetro are treated with bilious vitriol by people quoting biblical verse and being a spokeperson for god. I was brought up 'omni-religious' to see and understand all religious practices and I don't recall ever coming across ANYTHING which dictated hating your fellow man. There was a lot of forgiveness, understanding, overcoming adversity, aid towards strangers, and while I don't believe in any god this is what I mainly draw as to mean leading a good 'christian' life.

So when did spewing so much hate coming into the equation? It never used to be something I considered but now I just treat all people of faith with suspicion - are a few bad apples spoiling the barrel?

And sorry but I don't buy into this "hate the sin not the sinner", that to me just seems like an excuse - a cop out for when someone of faith is caught in the act - "It's not my fault it's the sin! God tested me and I failed"

Answer 1

I agree with you. In addition, I am amazed at people calling themselves Christians and who speak with such authority on scripture. There is only one absolute authority on scripture and that is Jesus Christ. One of the ladies posting on this site said, that the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin. Well, that may be her interpretation of the scripture, but is she God? Many other scholars would differ with her assessment...does that mean that she is right and they are wrong...or they are right and she is wrong? Who is the more Godly, holier, etc...? What grounds does she have to make such a pronouncement? I think she is alienating many people and turning them away from God...and will answer for this one day.

The Apostle Paul writes in IITimothy 3:16 that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. I believe that is true...but, while the Bible was inspired by God, it was written by human beings..who brought their own ideas, prejudices and customs of the day into their writings.

No one should speak about the Bible with Absolute Authority...I believe it is blasphemy.

Answer 2

I love this question. As a Christian I can really say that NO, just because we call ourselves Christian does not mean that we are always going to be nice as doves. I've met some people that make all Christians look bad, they are SO judgemental, emphasis on the 'mental' part. I've been regarded as 'less than' by one ex-friend just because I prefer secular music. But she screws around on her husband and doesn't know I know. So there.

Honestly we're not supposed to act like passive doves all the time. On the same note, I have to say that my gay male friends are even more judgemental than all my Christian friends put together. "Bring back the lions!" I hear, and that's not funny.Just as a lot of gay persecution was not reported in the 'straight' press at first, now there is a lot of Christian persecution that never makes it in.

Christians now know that gays have an agenda, and we see it as an infringement upon our rights. I'm talking gay marriage here. We get SICK of it frankly.

Answer 3

I have learned in my lifetime that I can hate an action and still love and pray for the person. It is not fair to judge an entire religion based on the bad apples. As in all walks of life, it seems that the negative gets much more attention than the positive. I used to think that the people of certain churches represented what Christianity meant - but it is the love of true Christians that truly represents the love Jesus has for us all. When I am acting negatively, this is not of God but of self. The only way I can stay true to God is to continuously pray to be more like Christ. I have seen and felt the love of true Christains, and they did not judge me, but they showed me why and how to change those things that are not good about myself. Mankind has always been self-will run riot, that is why we have such a messed up society. And yes, even people that called themselves Christians did evil, sometimes in the name of God. Again, these actions are not of God but of self. If you are harming another - you are not acting on God's authority.

Answer 4

Yes, a few bad apples are spoiling it.

Do not assume that all those answering questions here, posing as Christians, speak for all.

We are not to spew hate. Jesus never called anyone to act that way. I'm sorry they act that way but Christianity cannot keep anyone "out" so to speak.

I go to the Pro-Life march in DC each year. Some years there have been a small group (maybe 5 people) who are loud, using bullhorns and proclaiming "death" to doctors who perform abortions!! This is very upsetting to me and to all the others there...we number over 150,000 yet this very small number of people get attention! It's the same thing...those people are not pro-life, nor to they represent the pro-life movement.

In here...anyone can claim to be Christian and answer questions. But you will know a tree by it's fruit. Believe me those are BAD APPLES!!

Answer 5

You are right. There are a lot of "christians" out there that speak with so much hatred, and it's not right at all. We are to love the sinner hate the sin. I'm a christian, and my ex step-mother is now a lesbian, I still love her to death, although I do not agree with her lifestyle. That is up to her and she will have to answer for her own actions on Judgement Day. It's not my place nor is it any other person's place. I wish some of the so called "christians" would shut up and start acting like a real Christian. They're giving Christians a bad name... Jesus hung out with the sinners, He didn't have an "I'm better than you attitude" We should love everyone regardless, no one is perfect. We're all human.

Answer 6

There are some people who don't really know what they are saying and doing even as it comes out of their mouths or as they are in the act. Anyone who actually is a Christian knows that it is not a good thing to be homosexual; neither is it a good idea to treat them differently than anyone else. So, yes, in a sense there are some bad apples spoiling a religious bunch.

Answer 7

Don't generalize.

I am a 53 year old Christian woman. I became a Christian when I was 18, turned away when I was in my 20's and came back to Him two years ago.

There are true Christians, who follow the teachings of Christ, love their fellow man (a good friend of mine is a man who is gay), and it isn't a phony empathy. I do love others, even the unlovable high maintenance people like my employer.

But, then you have "carnal" Christians. Those people believe, perhaps because they were raised that way, and never sought God on their own. Instead of living for Christ, they live for themselves. They haven't given their lives over to Christ... because they (1) don't know God well enough to trust Him, and (2) they don't want to let go of the control.

Those carnal Christians haven't learned -- truly learned -- to walk in Christ, therefore, the love for others they exhibit is hypocrisy.

Sad to say, unbelievers rope us in together.

Please don't do that.

Answer 8

Many so-called "Christians" feel that they can sin and get away with it because they believe in Jesus. They are arrogant and consider themselves "saved," and act as if they KNOW they will go to Heaven! That sounds like a mockery of God to me.

Not all Christians are bad people. Unfortunately, the false ones are the loudest, and they're the ones who want to take over our government, kill homosexuals, and destroy our freedoms.

Answer 9

Hey, you are completely right. And while it's good to think it is just a "few bad apples", there are many christains that think that way. I am atheist, but my parents are both christain, but also very accepting. They are disgusted at all the hate in the church.

However, it does call homosexuality evil in the bible, so the religion is more responsible than the people for the hate. They have been brainwashed.

Answer 10

You're correct... the Bible doesn't promote hating people. It does promote, if you will, hating sin, however. Love the sinner, hate the sin, as the saying goes. If people really are followers of Christ, they aren't going to hate ANYONE, no matter who they are or what they've done. For a moment, hate might enter, but as followers of Christ, we're taught to give it to God, to forgive, and to go on.