I have a serious question for all Christians...?

Question

Often, whenever someone commits a horrible deed, or does something that is defined as "sin" within your faith, Christians will dismiss that individual with, "Well, he/she isn't a *real* Christian". There are even entire organizations (Westboro Baptist, etc.) that are equally dismissed by the majority of your faith.

My question is : Percentage wise, how many people claiming to be a Christian do you believe give the rest of you a bad rap?

Lots of good answers. Thanks to all. Sending this one to the jury...

Answer 1

Only you know for sure what is truly in your heart. I'm no one's judge.

Answer 2

I don't think you have to be perfect to be a Christian. I asked a question to see what people's opinions were on whether or not they thought that Christians should be perfect. The majority answer was that no one can be perfect, but you should strive to be more like Christ when you become a Christian. Christians are imperfect humans that make mistakes like everyone else, but Jesus died for all imperfect humans, and Christians are the ones that accept Jesus in faith. There's no need to give a percentage of how many Christians give others a bad reputation, all Christians have a flawed reputation compared to the God we follow. God loves us and has washed away our sins when we accept Jesus into our lives. I hope that helps, interesting question, God bless.

Answer 3

80% because most say they are Christian but
don't even know what a Christian is; therefore when they feel like it they go off the deep end. When you have such people like:

The Southern Baptist Org. Headquarters and they steal, hate, and discriminate

The Black Baptist Org. Headquarters who's top was caught using money sent to rebuild black churches that were burned to buy him and his Secretary lover a sex house and the wife burns it down and then retracts saying it was an accident because she could lose her money hungry (top) husband

Jesse Jackson who makes babies after supposedly relieving Bill Clinton of his sex scandal

Al Sharpton professing to be a preacher and made up a story about a girl who had the N word scared on her back
and got busted and did no time

People like Jerry Falwell who went to Africa in the middle of Apartheid and came back saying there was nothing wrong with the killings and enslavement's (imprisonments) of the 89% people of color

Jimmy jimmy and jimmy swag, Baker, and Jones need I say more

The murder in the Vatican over three lovers 2 Cardinals and a body guard

365 different churches because they don't want to accept the plain truth that Christ built HIS Church and HIS church is only a
follower of the NEW TESTAMENT and NOT the LAWS of MOSES Rm. 10:1-4

Answer 4

Like most any stereotype, I would say it would be a rather small percentage - say like 5-10%.
People often want to lump all into one. (One bad apple spoiling the whole bunch, as they say.)

I think that non-believers oftentimes have difficulty with Christians because even they get confused by "being Saved". I think it's rather cool that even non-believers hold a "higher standard" to Christians than other non-Christians. If one is supposed to edify Christ - then you BET that they should be "different" from the rest. However, they (non-believers) don't always seem to understand that we ALL fall short of the Glory of God and, sadly, so do some Christians.

Being saved should be recognition of our failure or inability to be "perfected" in our current state and the Grace poured out by Jesus who sanctifies us in our inadequacies. Not - seen as carte blanche to be a jerk -because it's ok, "I'm saved".

But back to my original point on the issue - it's a stereotype. All gays aren't flaming, All mexicans aren't lazy, All afro-americans aren't on welfare, All red-heads aren't b*thces (well, most of the time anyway ;)

The few that are give fodder to those who seek falliblity -

Answer 5

I would say higher than 70%, but I am not a mathamatician.

I read last week in the Sunday comics page in Gasoline Alley a funny quote. Church is a place where you go to brag about a place you may never see. (Near as I can remember, but you get the point)

Our Bible teaches that not all who cry out "Lord Lord" will be saved. See the parable "The Sheep and the Goats." It also says that there will be those that did not know they were worthy will enter. This is great hope for those that never heard the word and a horrible warning for those that have and only gave it face value.

Answer 6

we are all human. none are better or worse. all have sinned and fall short of what God intended for us to be.

in these answers i've seen people claiming superiority over others, people condemning the masses to eternal death, and enough judgment being passed around to be shared by all... ALL CHRISTIANS (100%) give Jesus a "bad rap". The rest of the world may bash us as well, but what Christians need to understand is that YOU represent Jesus to the World. You're judgment of me or any other of your siblings in Christ Jesus does not harm me personally- but you are defacing the Body of Christ. Obscured beyond recognition because of your self-pride and hatred for anyone different from yourself.
Have some Compassion, LOVE, Forgiveness, and Understanding! If you can't have that for other Christians (who may not act and believe as you think they should) how are you going to do this with non-Christians so they can see who Jesus is?

100% give Jesus a "bad rap", but thank God we don't get what we deserve. saw some guesses to how many are going to heaven... i'd wager 200%... Maybe not ALL people who claim to be Christians will be saved, but all who truly are Christians (i'd guess 75% of those professing) Plus all the other people in the world who truly seek the True God according to their own understanding (different faiths) will also be saved. God is Good: full of Compassion, LOVE, Forgiveness, and Understanding! We should all strive to be like that! God bless you all!
Peace.

Answer 7

That's an EXCELLENT question.

I'm certainly one of the ones who does what you say - claiming that many "Christians" aren't true Christians at all.

I can't give a number...but I believe its a minority (that is very vocal!) who are obvious hypocrites. Those are the judgmental, angry, bitter people who claim they know Christ, but have likely never even read through the Bible.

Then, there are those who THINK they know Christ, but have really never let God transform their lives. They are the ones who are "sure" of their salvation, but have not laid down their lives as Christ commanded. I think that the majority of Christians likely fit this category, and I think scripture backs up this view.

The first group, along with a bunch of young people who don't really understand their faith yet, are the ones who give Christians a bad rap.

The second group are those who don't understand their faith and may often respond negatively/unintelligably to arguments.

At least, I think that's how it can be broken down...

Answer 8

That's a good question. BTW, where the heck are our Red Bulls? There are certain Christians who will do this. I'm sure you've heard the words of Jesus, talking about the splinter in your brother's eye, while having a plank in yours. That's the problem. Many people (believers and no-believers) are walking around with telephone poles hanging out of both eye sockets. (good visual, huh?) We are SO quick to judge, because it takes our minds off of ourselves. Nevertheless, God uses people. I would go so far as to say that God sometimes uses completely unwilling people. I believe that though some of our more zealous may freak people out 90% of the time, that just by them speaking the name of Jesus one may hear that in his/her time of hopelessness and loss and cling to Christ. I'm not even saying said "zealot" has to be a true Christian. After all, God used Pharoah to accomplish His purpose, why not a zealot? Word up, deke--good question. As far as percentages go, I'll give you a different sort of one. "Narrow is the path that leads to righteousness." This is applicable within any church as well.

Answer 9

I am no longer a Christian but I will butt in and answer you! I have been to a few churches that were very spiritual, one of them being the Brethren, similar to the Amish. Those were 'real' Christians, in that they had Christ in their hearts every day and it showed. It was the same quality I have seen in Buddhist monks too. I'd say, probably 85% of self professed Christians haven't got a clue as to what being a true follower of Christ is all about.

I have learned that the true spirituality of the Universe is a continual thing and any faith can tap into it, but few do. Jesus was a prophet of this force but who knows what His words even were at this point. He and Buddha were the real deal.

Answer 10

Unfortunately we all do, Being a Christian means having Jesus as your Lord and Savior. knowing that when we sin we can ask for forgiveness and we have it. Yet we are not to go out of our way to sin we are supposed to at least to try to stop and be Christ like. But a lot of of people do bad things in Christ name and don't see it as wrong. they feel like they are doing things for a cause like at westboro baptist. But we all will have to stand before God when we die and have to answer for what we have done. No one knows what the outcome of that will be. Only God knows for sure.

Answer 11

I wouldn't even gander a percentage answer.But I feel there is a Large number out there.Although I will not be their Judge.I myself am not perfect by any means but I try to live by the Lords commandments.We are just human and forgiven by the grace of God.I pray that he will see me fit for his kingdom.And yes I do believe they give the Christians a bad name but you already knew that LOL