Is anyone besides me disappointed by how arrogant Christians act?

Question

I am a christian, but I am put off by the way christians treat people who do not agree withtheir viewpoint. Does the Bible say judge not lest you be judged or love your neighbor.!?

I am not talking about quoting scripture or voicing beliefs....My question was about arrogance and being basically snotty.

joy filled; I am talking about general rudeness and a bad additude, especially toward those with Athiestic tendencies. I understand needing to stand for somethg, but this bating people is annoying

Answer 1

I am christian too, and I have to agree with you. As Christians we have to set examples for what we are trying to say. Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean you have to be arrogant. Not only the bible says love your neighbor but it also says to turn the other cheek! not slap back!!!!!!

Answer 2

Dear Hairdresser Extrordinare,

I would be interested in knowing whether you are actually observing the difference between those who practice "Christian" religiosity and those who are truly in a right relationship with the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Light.

There are times when a nicey-nice answer cannot be given. There are times when a Christian must yell "Stop!"

Let me give you an example. My grandson is 2 days short of being 19 months old and he is already starting in on the "Terrible Twos". He doesn't want to ride in his stroller, he wants to push it and not only that he wants to push it where he wants to. That is usually fine when out for a walk on the sidewalk but it does not work in a parking lot or when he suddenly pushes it off the sidewalk into the street. That is when it becomes stop NOW!, not whenever you want to.

We are all learning. We have to keep reminding ourselves that our heavenly Father loves the sinner but not the sin. I am so glad that He sees the ending from the beginning and doesn't give up on us! I know that if I were the only sinner on the face of the planet Jesus would have gone to the cross for me and I have to remember that also applies to the next person.

Edit: I wonder if the arrogance then is the Form of Christianity (some call it Churchianity) rather than the Substance of Christianity.

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 3

I just think that is a personality trait that is almost completely separate from their religion. But if you think about it, people are blowing themselves up in the Middle East for their religion that they believe so deeply in, so it's not hard to imagine that Christians feel very strongly with their viewpoint. If it's an issue that doesn't deal with religion that they're going crazy about then that would, like I said, would fall under the realm of personality. This isn't a Christian phenomenon. Trust me. I've gotten into many heated debates with people of all kinds. Agnostics, Hindus, etc. etc. However, there's nothing wrong with strongly believing what you believe--just as long as it doesn't involve harming another person like suicide bombers or abortion clinic psychos.

If I may add my two cents--what bothers me about the stereotype of Christians is that we're all self-righteous and we all go out in a public square so we can tell people at the top of our lungs that they're going to hell. I go to a big university in the South and there are always people grandstanding and holding up signs and accusing people of being sinners. This is NOT what Christianity is about or what true Christians take part in. Unfortunately these are the Christians that get the most attention and are just assumed by non-Christians that this is how we practice our religion. It's sad.

"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5

Answer 4

I don't think all Christians are arrogant. In any religion there's always all types of personalities. I've met some really beautiful women and men of God..their spirits reflected the love of God. Just because someone professes to be a Christian doesn't mean I trust that at first. I look at their walk, and I have the choice whether or not I want to be bothered. God also tells us to be discerning, because the enemy does try to act like an angel of light.

As far as Christians treating others wrong who don't share the same viewpoint..Again I think it's the people that you are associating yourself with. A man or woman of God is called to preach the word so that others may repent. If someone tries to sugar-coat the Word of God to please others than that's not of God. As a woman of God I am called to stand firm in my faith, and stand on the Word of God...so no I won't negotiate to try to please others. But I don't judge them because I know only God can change one's heart. So I don't even engage in silly arguing. It's pointless. The Word will also stand true.

As far as on Yahoo Answers some people treat this forum(R/S) as a joke. I had stayed off of this forum for about 6 months because of all the bashing..But I asked for encouragement, and so many "real" Christians offered a lot of encouraging words. I skip the trash, and stick to the meat. I don't even try to argue with nonbelievers. It's just pointless.

Answer 5

Yes, some can be arrogant- and I have asked questions like this myself here. However something that I have learned about the verse about judging. God does not mean that we cannot voice our beliefs, and why we believe the way we do. It is the way we do it that either brings glory to God or makes us look arrogant. Jesus told the woman that was going to be stoned for adultery- to "look and see that there are no accusers- however go and sin no more". If I have ever come across in an arrogant manner, forgive me.

Answer 6

We have just been studying that.

Our conclusion...that when a Christian starts to judge things about another it shows lack of faith in our walk.
If we are that concerned about someone's walk, or lack of walk, shouldn't we first pray?
When we begin to speak judgement over someone we are saying in a small way, the power of the cross isn't strong enough for you.
If we are talking to someone in Christian love, shouldn't that take them to the mercy seat?

If we are to reproach someone, as Aquilla and Prisicilla did, make sure that it is Godly, your place, and admonishment filled with love. Don't leave it there, an open sore wound that satan can pour salt in, but edify in the Lord.

If it is someone in the world, judgement is never our place.. that is the work of the Lord. He is quite capable of teaching and admonishing...

Answer 7

Yes some christians can be arrogent. But so can some muslims, buddhist and athiests. Its the same all across the board. These are the extremist that take everything in life to seriously

Answer 8

Sorry you are ashamed and disappointed.

I think we use scripture when asked a question so its really not "our" viewpoint but God's Word. If speaking God's Word makes one arrogant and judgmental then you need to take it up with the King.

I do, however, agree with you about those who say "you are going to burn in hell" etc. because that is not our place to say personally. But if a specific question regarding hell comes up like "Will I go to hell if I" then its answered with scripture.

I see no judging there, just fact. The type of judging Jesus is talking about is when one is judging a person's motive.

Answer 9

It says that we do not have the power to make that final judgment and send people to Hell, yes, but it also says that those who persist in their commission of sin, and those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are indeed going there.

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." -- Revelation 21:8

"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come: and even now already is in the world." -- 1 John 4:3

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not." -- Matthew 25:41-43

"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." -- Romans 6:15

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." -- 2 John 1:9

Neither I nor you can change God's laws.

Answer 10

Keep reading. It says judge not because you'll be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. If you're willing to be judged by that standard, then judge away.

Can you give specific examples of how specific people have been treated badly by specific Christians, including what specific viewpoint was in question and how each viewed it? Or are you just generalizing and throwing us all into one pot because it's easier than actually thinking about the issues?