Religion equals hypocrisy?

Question

What do you think?

Answer 1

Not always. Religion is a superstition. I think that most people's belief in religion is just at that level. They really haven't gotten enough into it to really start acting as they say not to. I think there are some real true believers out there whoi really try to live within its byzantine labyrinth of rules and dictums.

The religions themselves tend to have doctrines that contradict themselves. However, people cherry pick what parts of it they follow or don't follow, and usually have rationalizations about why they do so. I think that's different than hypocrisy.

Of course, there is also a lot of hypocrisy in religion. There are a lot of preachers telling us to be humble followers from their podiums in their multi-billion dollar complexes. There is also a lot of give to politicians who use religion to get a voting bloc to back whatever legislation they push. I think that's where the real hypocrisy is.

Answer 2

No, I don't agree.

I think being human equals hypocrisy. All of us our harder on others then we are on ourselves. We tend to want others to stick to rules and pay for infractions, yet give ourselves an easier road. It is a human condition and may be more magnified by religion. Being religious sets the expectations higher and therefore makes it more obvious when one is hypocritical. But in truth, I think everyone does it. Look at overweight doctors for example...they can advise people on the dangers of obesity and yet do not follow their own advice.

Answer 3

Mankind's interpretation of religion is Hypocrisy.
To many exceptions to the commandments, and other half verses from the bible to use God's word for the evil they do.
Failure to accept responsibility in doing wrong/harm and using the "devil" to scapegoat a way out is where hypocrisy is at its worst. And condemning each other to hell for what they are probably guilty of themselves for that warm fuzzy feeling of holier than thou.

Answer 4

It depends on the person, not the religion. In my life I have observed hypocrisy on some level in most people regardless of beliefs. I have to include myself in this group. I think we all are hypocritical at times.

Answer 5

Some of the worst people you will ever find are in the church.That's been proven now beyond a shadow of a doubt, just read the news.
Priests and trusted ministers having sex with young boys. Youth Councelors molesting the very ones they are suppose to guide and nurture. Pastors killing their wifes and sometimes thier entire families. I could go on and on.
Let's talk about upstanding people in the church who sleep around on thier mates. Outstanding people in the church who steal from the supporters of the church. " GODLY " men and women doing " UNGODLY "
things. It's enough to make you SICK.
So why bother to go to church, or believe in Christianity? Because the ONLY person you have to answer for is you. You are not held accountable for the actions of people in the church...You can only pray for them becuase they will pay dearly for thier sins... maybe not here but in a time and place appointed.
Hypocrites are SATANS biggest weapon. He uses them to wreck havoc and destroy homes and lives. He knows that there are people out there who live the phylosophy " Why should I go to church? I'm just as good (sometimes better ) than MR. Jones...I know how he lives and he's fooling everybody." Guess again...He isn't fooling everybody...and the ONE who knows will take care of the situation. There are hypocrites that go to my church, in fact I'm sure that I could count several from EVERY church I've ever attended. SO why do I still go to church? Why do I still belive in Christianity? It's simple... I can't take none of them to Heaven and there ain't a ONE of them that can send me to HELL. So I'll go on being a Christian, and they'll go on being a hypocrite, and in the end I won't have to worry about the life I've lived or the example I've been...BUT they will.

Answer 6

Not nessasarily- I don't know much about religions other than Christianity, so I can not speak on behalf of them. In Christianity, the religion does not impose hiprocrisy, but some of the people who claim that they are Christians do. It's like the man cheating on his wife on Sat night then going to Church on Sunday morning- people are the ones who do not practice what they preach, so to say. Christianity is all about forgiveness, God knows that we will sin, and he forgives us for that, but I think that some take that as "hey, I can do whatever I want, ask forgiveness time and time again for the same thing, and the go to Heaven when I die." It doesn't work like that. No one is perfect, and we are creatures of sin. But if we ask Him for forgiveness we have to put forth a super effort to try to change that aspect of our lives and live for Him, and alot of people do not do that.

Answer 7

I have met both atheists and agnostics, and Christians and Muslims who are some of the nicest people on earth. Some of them are quite sincere in their faith (or lack of it) and in their relationships with other people. To categorically brand all people of any faith as hypocrites is an insult to some of the loveliest people, some of whom are very dear to me.

There are good and bad people in all walks of life, in all countries, and in all faiths. Yes, you will find relgious hypocrites, but God is just as unhappy about their behavious as you are.

Please avoid ridiculous generalizations like this and treat people as individuals!

Of course another possibility is that your conscience is pricking you, that you realize that you are a sinner in need of salvation. You are trying to avoid the truth by a straw man argument: Christians are all hypocrites, so that's a good enough excuse not to become one.

Get real. Christians are sinners just like you, so yes, you will find people that claim to obey God but will disobey him. That doesn't absolve you of your own responsibility before God. They will have to answer to God for what they've done wrong, and so will you. At least Christians will have God's unmerited mercy on their side, but unless you turn to Christ, you will not.

Answer 8

Depends on what you mean by "religion".
People seem to think that whatever these
denominational leaders have to say is the be-all and end-all of what we mean by our
relationship with God.
I am non-denominational; I don't bother with any of the churches. I think they are full
of crap and also the so-called "leaders" in Christianity couldn't lead someone to the toilet.
Yep, in many cases "religion" can equal
hypocrisy, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with God, His people, His Word or His plan.

Answer 9

Religion can. But not a "relationship" which you can have with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ - there is no hypocrisy in that. Blessings dear one and I pray you find Truth - the Person Jesus Christ. He is SO good!!!

Answer 10

I'd be more inclined to suggest that it supports hypocrisy.

There is problems making such a blanket statement about something that give people personal strength along with other positives.

Just because there are Zealots out there using something to support their bigotry does not justifying this.

.