Is there irony in the supposed founder of Christianity having a profound contempt for the outwardly religious?

Question

I’m referring to the figure of Jesus in case you’re wondering.

Answer 1

Jesus said we are judged by how we treat the least among us:

Matthew 25:35-40

Jesus kept religion separate from dealings of the state:

Matthew 22:21

Jesus told his followers to pray in private:

Matthew 6:5-6

Jesus did not look well upon the accumulation of wealth:

Matthew 19:24

Jesus did not look well upon those who get ahead at the expense of others:

Matthew 5:5
Matthew 19:30

Jesus said don't be so quick to judge the lifestyles of others:

John 8:7-9
Matthew 7:1-5
Matthew 5:14-15

Jesus said if you draw attention to your charitable deeds, then you are just doing it for your own glory:

Matthew 6:1-3

Jesus said not to resort to war, but rather to keep the peace:

Matthew 5:9

Jesus said to treat others as we want to be treated ourselves:

Matthew 7:12


I disregard the bible entirely when it comes to the true teachings of Jesus. The Gnostic Gospels are much more accurate.

Answer 2

Fair enough. I presume that you mean that it is ironic because Jesus criticized the pharisees for praciting religious ritual on the outside, but not demonstrating any spiritual reality or faith on the inside. Meanwhile, the stereotype used today illustrates a Christian who goes to church and reads the Bible, but otherwise does not really practice any of the teachings of Jesus, such as "love your neighbor" and "judge not, or you will be judged." If you do NOT mean that, then you need to be more clear in your writing style and say what you mean. If you DO mean that, then it is an interesting point... aside of the fact that it insinuates a gross stereotype that can be applied to some, but not all Christians, and therefore is lacking in any real validity.

Answer 3

Jesus is not the founder of Christianity, that occurred 300 years after his death. If there is a religion out there today that follows what Jesus did, they wouldn't have a church, because Jesus didn't.
They wouldn't have a vehicle to drive around, because Jesus turned down the use of chariots time and time again. He definitely turned down being carted around in a caravan as well. The followers would be "out from among them." Meaning, they would not be leading the world, they wouldn't be within townships, but out in the wilderness.
Nope, no religion exists today that follows Jesus.
He didn't want a religious following, he wanted people to become spiritual without the need to follow but to lead.

Answer 4

The contempt that Jesus had was for those religious people that lead double lives. On the outside they were the most "religious" people while on the inside they were full of deceit, anger, hate, greed and many other sins. It was these people who Jesus had a problem with not the truly devout ones.

Answer 5

The most ironic thing is that Jesus is not the founder of Christianity.

If there were a religion or a philosophical/spiritual path that Jesus founded it would look nothing like Christianity.

Answer 6

Your association is unique. The bible refers to picture grams.
Jesus continually said "Don't be like these-those-them but when ye." A contrast is constant--thus I can understand your thought but I must come to a differing conclusion. Jesus spent a lot of time saying open worship for praise of men is not the best Christian attitude. He also said "Go ye therefore and preach the Gospel." "But be thou an example of the believer." "Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and glorify the father which is in heaven."

I think you may have looked for the contrary and not necessarily for the completeness of your argument.

Answer 7

His contempt was for those who claimed to be following God but really were more interested in the power they held through religion. We are called to be outwardly religious, but only after we have become inwardly religious.

Answer 8

Irony ? Not at all, the true message of Jesus does not refer to any kind of religion, for truth is truth and believing otherwise is meaningless. A building is still a building reguarding your beliefs or opinions. It will always be like that (unless someone goes in and demolishes it)

It is my belief that Christ came to destroy all religions, including Christianity, for His message has nothing to do with it.

In Matthew when He says "depart from Me : I never knew you" He`s talking to the Christians who, they think, served Him in truth. They didn't and Christ will reveal this deadly secret to them in the last moment, in the last day.

Answer 9

Yes, it's also ironic to hear Christians bash Pharisees and then turn around and act like them. I like a lot of what Jesus said. I mostly get concerned with what his modern spokespeople say.

Answer 10

Having a show of religion does not save a person.
Every body needs a personal relation with God.