2007-06-27 11:35:30 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Church is a hospital for sinners. Not a hotel for Saints.
All the saints have already gone home to Heaven.
Come on in; there's always room for a few more.
2007-06-27 11:39:42 · answer #1 · answered by Robert S 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Complicated question without a simple answer.
First, many in the church do not see themselves as hypocritical. They see themselves as honest, moral, committed to something larger than themselves, and following a path of "truth". However, in this world everyone seems to have their own view of what the "truth" is and what is right and wrong. The world seems to have no absolutes anymore and what is "truth" is what each person believes. The "church" is just an easy target for people to criticize because Christians openly claim to try to live up to a certain level of "truth" which not even Christians themselves can agree on. Most people who find fault in the church or Christians do not even themselves live up to the expectations they fault Christians for not living up to... but Christians are an easy target because they publicly claim to be reaching for a higher standard. And what if that standard is not your standard? Does that make them a hypocrite? Is your life as viewed by others seen as the "perfect" christian life or following a path of righteousness seeking God in everything?
And why is it surprising that there are people who are part of the "church" who are not committed to a higher standard? Most churches do not require an admission test or set requirements as to "good" deeds and number of chapters to memorize in the Bible a week. People for the most part are accepted at face value with the "agreement" that all the members believe in God and share the same basic beliefs and the same common goal(s).
To complicate things even further, don't forget... anytime the church tries to set standards and require memebers to meet a specific level of moral character, the church is criticized and called "judgemental".
So if you are looking for perfection, you are not going to find it. And if you are looking for godly people, look within because there are a lot of people who have been disappointed with christians, the church... and there may have been people who have looked to you and were disappointed.
2007-07-05 10:05:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ms Betty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are there so many people within the church who are worried about what other people do? If we concentrate on our own spiritual development, we won't even have time to hypocritically nitpick and belittle the behavior of others. We need to search our own hearts and lives for signs of hypocrisy before pointing a finger at anyone else.
2007-06-27 11:50:05 · answer #3 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are there so many hypocrite people period?
Who has never played the role of hypocrite at one time or another in their life?
2007-07-02 15:39:22 · answer #4 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the church itself is hypocritical. They learn from the best.
2007-07-04 10:17:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess would be because we are all human and subject to human weaknessess and desires.
Many may not even know that something they said or did was in direct opposition to what they may have preached or stated.
Many times hypocracy is simply ignorance of truth.
As long as we have flesh to feel desires, wrongful thoughts and wants, we will have conflict. It may be a bit easier to be patient with others when we realize that we dont always do the right thing, or stand by what we said also.
We are all broken vessels, prone to defy the one we love.
2007-06-27 11:40:55 · answer #6 · answered by cindy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because equating Christianity - which was founded (allegedly) by a poor, progressive person who was executed by the state for being an effective rebel - with out of control capitalism makes no sense whatsoever. Moneychangers IN the church? Preposterous!
2007-07-05 08:40:02 · answer #7 · answered by daibato 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's alway easier to tell others what I believe in, and then pretend to do so, than it is to truly live it. We all talk a better game than we play. It's just that the obvious hypocrites are easier to spot. I think we all are to some degree. My job is to live as closely to what I believe as I possibly can.
Blessed Be
2007-07-04 08:27:07 · answer #8 · answered by Linda B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because there are a lot of Sunday Christians, they go to church and talk down about all the evil in the world and how other people are so bad. Then Monday they are just like the people they talk bad about. They don't know they do this because they are blinded by the veil of christians on Sundays, not reality!
2007-06-27 11:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by Satori 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are hypocrites everywhere. Church leaders need to teach (and live it themselves!) that we should be honest. No putting on plastic faces every Sunday (or Sat) and pretending all is well in your world.
Everyone, reguardless of spiritual belief, should strive towards being real.
2007-06-27 11:42:24 · answer #10 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋