Do you believe many Asian American churches are filled with hypocrites?

Question

As an Asian, I feel that this is a sensitive issue for me. I know that many Asian American churches are basically country clubs on Sundays. I also know that many Asian "Christians" (Chinese, Japanese, Koreans) in North America are pretenders: they want the benefits of the gospel without taking on the demands of the gospel. You can see this in the way they live outside of church. However, Scripture clearly states that we should strive for "peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Instead, in many of these Asian American churches, I find a lot of bickering, dissension, gossip, factions, and jealousies. Not the type of attitude and behaviour that exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24). Does anyone here agree with me?

Answer 1

I have Ministered and Taught in both Asian and non-Asian Churches and been associated with the Asian culture for over 30 years and you are right.

Home Bible studies turn into a contest to see who can provide the best spread on the table.

2 hours are spent with eating, complimenting the hostess and gossiping.

While after 30 minutes of Bible Study the talk starts to drift back into gossip.

And I have found in the Asian culture that if they were of a different faith before being (born again), they always try to bring parts of that faith into the the Bible Study group, by saying stuff like "well even though I am not (this) any more I think it is ok to, do this or pray in this way or say this" in other words trying to bring non-Christian religion into Christianity.

The Churche buildings today are used as a "Club House" of sorts and the buildings are *not* filled with Christians but rather the worldly who are *playing* church.

There are many who claim that we are not to judge but that is not what the Bible says.

1. We can not judge those of the world for they do not know Christ.
2. But as soon as one calls themselves a Christian and associates together as Christian then *YES* we are to judge them and they are to be treated worse than an unbeliever.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don’t even eat with such people. 12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

Answer 2

Dear Friend, from my experience in several churches, it does not matter what label is over the door, you will find bickering and dissension and expecially gossip in all churches. If your faith in God is strong, and you have received Christ as your personal savior, although it is sometimes hard to do, you must overlook human failure and ask God for personal strength. I have seen several churches broken because of all you have mentioned. Be social with those involved, but do not become involved in their battles. If someone tries to pass gossip on to you, simply say "I'm sorry, but I'm here to worship the Lord, and politely walk away", The bible does say let your light shine and don't hide it under a basket. Refusing to participate in such unchurch like behavior, is a better witness than you might think. It may show the way and cause the other person to remember WHY they came to church in the first place. Remember one thing; Satan roams this earth and his is the first one through the church doors and the last one to leave. If he can disrupt church in anyway, he will do it. The above mentioned problems that you have found in your church are not of God and God is not in it, but the devil is! Pray for those involved and continue your own personal walk with God. We worship together, but the walk and relationship is between you and Christ, ONLY! Hope I have helped some, God be with you.

Answer 3

please know that Asian Americans are no different than others: churches have hypocrisy. I am a devoted life-long church attender, and have seen it everywhere. The thing about it is that every church will have weaknesses. we are fallible humans comprising a body of believers. I have finally found a place where i feel the "peer pressure" is to be open, honest, loving (not bickering, gossipping etc) christians with christian goals in mind. we are not perfect AND WE DON'T PRETEND TO BE PERFECT. Keep looking, soon a congregation will simply feel like home. Where else should a gossipper be other than church? or a liar? or a fighter? church can be a place to tame these lions, or feed them...find a better place.

Answer 4

I understand your observation. But I think it is true for many Church goers, but then again who are we to judge? There is only one true judge.

It is unfortunate for some the Church is also a source of their social life. And since going to Church becomes routinary to many it almost loses its sacredness. Basically its like going through the motion but without really absorbing the lessons the priest or pastor or Rabbi or whomever is trying to teach.

Anyway like some here already mentioned, just do your thing and don't let it become an excuse not to go to Church but in fact through your example you might influence others do the right thing in Church.

Answer 5

First off, I had no idea there WERE Asian American churches.

People are people......it doesn't matter what nationality you are. Everyone is a hypocrite at one point or another. We all want the same things in life and we all make mistakes while trying to attain them. The major differences will be found NOT in nationalities but in the social and economic status of the people.

Answer 6

Don't come down hard on Asian-American Christians. We whities aren't very perfect either. People are people. Some will take the principles of their religion seriously and some won't. That's the way things are. Avoid "country club" Christians.

Answer 7

This issue is definitely not peculiar to Asians. There are MANY "Christians" of all nationalities and cultures who keep their religious beliefs separate from their actual lives. And yet, there are many people who do not profess any particular religion who live what we would call "Christian" lives-- humbly doing what they can to help individual people and to better society in general. I'm not Asian, but having grown up as an American Catholic, I have seen that hypocrisy across all ethnic lines and across all religions.

Answer 8

Yes. In every group of people (not just Asian) there are hypocrites and other unsavory types. That is why Jesus said to let the wheat and the tares grow together until He weeds the tares out.

I'm not sure why you think this is something Asians have a patent on. People are people whatever their race.

Answer 9

Yes I do agree with you, it is not only in Churches, it is in Temples and it is in Mosque. The come pray and they start gossip. It is to be ignored. We are not the reformer of the society. Some people are engaged but plus point is this majority are like this. And that is blessing of Iswar, God or Allah
Think with positive aspect and try to speak one person tell him do you do correct ? He?She will relise and shall refrain from this in future and that is my gain.
S0 dont worry. Have positive thinking.

Answer 10

i agree with you. im asian and i used to go to church, but now i don't. i doubt the people who attend are pretenders, but the people at the top (pastors, ministers, etc.), definetely are. they're crooks who take advantage of people's belief in God and make them "donate" money to the church. what kind of a church sets up a ranking system based on how much money a person donates to the church? ever see ministers and their individual supporters at your church fist-fighting over how the church funds should be spent? seriously, the cops had to come and break up the fight. how embarrasing. (actually, watching 50 year old men fighting each other was quite funny. something you don't see everyday...)