Why do Christians fancy themselves such fine, upstanding people?

Question

With all of the bloodshed in the Old Testament, 2000 years of atrocities committed in the name of Christ, countless children raped by trusted pastors and priests, how can anyone claim that following a religion with this kind of perverse history will make you a good person?

The OT is coming up so allow me to address it. Is the God of the OT not the same God that fathered Christ? Are the Ten Commandments not from Exodus (OT)? Genesis, Adam and Eve, the great flood, all are routinely referenced by Christianity. All are OT.

The question is abrasive I know, but I don't mean to lump all Christians into any category. I have Christian friends and family that I love dearly and hold in high regard. My angst is directed at the pious, judgmental Christians who'd tell me I'm lost for not believing in their God. To them I'm posing the question.

Answer 1

Compared to their neighbors, they were saints. The actual number of priests and pastors who have done such things compaired to the number of general public, again, makes it clear that for the most part they are saintly.

It's also important to read. If you did to any degree, you would know that Christianity has had a reformation, and for the most part Christians no longer believe or are held back by their holy book (I'm not a Christian, though I've read the Bible four times, as well as numerous other holy texts of various religions). I'm surprised you didn't know that? The old argument: "Look at all the bad things in the Bible," was often about showing the bad things one shouldn't do, not what they should do. Again, this seems to be lost on you.

You also seem to think the news is reality. News is about the odd stuff, the weird stuff. That's why they don't show all the child rapes in poor neighborhoods. They're much more likely and commong there, extremely rare (considering the number of priests and pastors in the country), and the percentage of creeps that are pastors/priests that commit such crimes compared to the percentage of the general public who do so clearly makes Christianity a paragon of ethics and morality.

Or is that what you hate? Ethics? Morality? Have none yourself? Is that why you think people shouldn't try to be fine, upstanding people?

Silly.

Answer 2

First of all, I haven't heard that Christians 'claim' that following this religion will make them a good person. Their belief is that following the examples of Christ will lead them to salvation. Also, everyone of us lives in a community as individual persons at the same time social beings. We have the right to choose to live the way we want to. So it's not like if Christians from the past did these bad things it'll follow that Christians at present will follow their example and the future Christians follow the present! Christians follow Christ.. well, if they do choose to follow him. Christians claim that Christ is good because they see that his deeds are, and if they follow him, they will also be good. Unfortunately, only a few could sacrifice their comfartable life to a life of their believed-to-be goodness even if they understand that it's their key to eternal life. It's just that, they choose what is wrong. And um.. Christians claim that everyone are sinners and I believe that this acceptance of their sins gives them the feeling they are virtuous, because I believe that for a righteous Christian, the truth is a powerful magnet or something like that.. . .

Answer 3

How quick we are to judge....

First of all - no one is perfect.

Secondly, A true Christian strives for humility - not for "fancying themselves a fine person." If one thinks they are good - then they are not. "A wise man does not think he is wise."

Thirdly, ALL humans are imperfect and can royally mess things up. Just because terrible things have happened in Church history doesn't negate the good. That's like saying, one kid was bad in class, therefore, the entire class is bad. Just because some bad seeds are out there who are hypocrits, does not mean that the other 2.1 Billion Christians out there are all the same.

The U.S. has had some rather bad history too. Does that mean every U.S. citizen is evil? Some people thought so on 9-11. Are you saying they were right? Based on your logic, you are.

Answer 4

What does the bloodshed in the OT have to do with Christians? Read before you preach. Don't blame all Christians for the act of some who probably didn't know Christ to begin with.

Were not perfect just forgiven...can you say the same?

Answer 5

First its not fair to lump all Christians together and assume how everyone feels, For all have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God, we do not follow a "religion" we follow The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of The World, you see when Mankind sinned they as it were pulled the plug on life, but Jesus Christ the second member of The Godhead [see Heb.13:8, Heb.1:5-9, John 8:58, John 1 for Jesus being God] came and "IF" one meets the conditions upon which life is offered can live forever, and Yes there is bloodshed "without the shedding of blood is NO remission of sins" that service back in Deut. pointed to The Lamb of God, who gave up His divine body for a human one and when He returned to Heaven He DID NOT take up His divine body but His human one "WITH" the marks He got here JUST FOR YOU, sometimes blood shed is for a good cause, find out more free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org email me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 6

Because they've been taught from an early age that their religion and way of life is "good", and that following this (usually very specific) set of values and beliefs is the only way to be "good". They believe that their religion teaches people right from wrong, and in a way it does (don't run around killing people, don't steal stuff, and other basic elements of a functioning society), but not everything that is taught is agreed upon by everyone (ie: "being gay is bad"). Basically, they're doing and believing the only thing that they know, and that kind of internalized belief ("brainwashing" is probably too strong a term) will keep them faithful to their religion, in spite of logic and reason.

Sorry if I've offended anyone. I'm entitled to my opinions, as others are entitled to theirs.

Answer 7

The bloodshed in the Old Testament was often against people who didn't follow God and worshipped idols. Just because things are "done in the name of Christ", doesn't mean He is truly part of them. True Christians aren't part of this behavior and people that perpetuate these acts, if they don't repent before they die, will be in for a big surprise when they stand before God

Answer 8

You can't simply judge something or someone by their history. Concepts are constantly changing and evolving, and so are ways of life. If i grow up as a Christian in today's world, at the end of it all, i should not be judged by the falls and shortcomings of the past, but rather by the influence i have had on the present to make the future a better place. You can't simply use history to determine whether today's Christians are "good people" or not.

Answer 9

The true Christian is self-judging by definition. We don't follow a religion, we follow Christ. Big difference. Any local fellowship can be infiltrated by evil people, even playing at being pastors. That's certainly the fault of the fellowship, for not being watchful for the wolves and letting them into the fellowship, but it doesn't mean the particular local church fellowship is perverse.

Answer 10

I don't know that I am a good person, I think that I am a sinner who has been redeemed by a savior who was willing to die for us. The atrocities committed in the name of Christ is unfortunate because like anything else humans misinterpert things, and the children is a sad statement on the thought that no one is perfect not even us who have devoted our lives to preaching for God.