Do Christians live their lives the way Jesus would have?

Question

I am an atheist who grew up in a Christian household and Church so i understand some about Christianity. I have also read the Bible 2x once when i believed and once more. In the Bible it speaks more than once to the fact that Jesus spent his time with the Sinners and the Poor. He did not deride unbelievers for their belief. He simply told them what he was about and was kind to them. He told his followers to turn the other cheek. Even though i no longer believe in the "Son of God" i do try to live my life in a somewhat "Christian" manner. I try to be kind and helpful. I realize that no one is ever perfect and we are all guilty of being unkind. I was just wondering how many of you Christians really believe that the way you answer questions from atheists on here and in real life falls into your Christs teachings? I am not saying that it is all of you as i have read some very intelligent and kind replies by believers.. I have seen many many who reply with acid laced answers though.

I agree with you, there do tend to be a lot of loaded questions asked on boths sides. Atheists are as guilty as anyone else of this. Perception of the question also factors in. Some believers may feel that a question asked by an atheist was a "loaded" question when the asker did not mean it in that way and vice versa. Regardless though of the intent of the asker. Is it not a core belief of Christianity to turn the other cheek and show the love of God through their actions?

Tony, i have not forgotten what i learned. Yes Jesus did get very blunt at times and even angry. From what i take from these stories though it was almost always at another professed religious person. I do not recall even one story of his becoming angry with a non believer for asking questions though. The point of my question was to find out how many of you TRY to reply with kindness and how many of you were just like the rest of us.

Odds10to1, yes unfortunately the Church that i went to as a child is now listed under "cult" status. Many families and lives were destroyed by the actions of our Pastor (and the adults willing to believe his BS). I have vivid memories of some really disgusting sexual situations brought about by our leaders teaching.

To all of those who wished me a good day or said God bless. Thank you. I wish nothing but a good day.

to you all.

Answer 1

would you give your (human)life for your beliefs? Jesus did

would you really turn the other cheek no matter what, as Jesus taught?

would you give a homeless beggar some money, or tell him how you believe he could find true happiness?

would you offer assistance or counsel to a whore despite their probable reaction?

Your real question should be, Do Christians really believe they are better than everyone else?

My answer to that is no, most don't. But, Even though we will fail in all aspects, as we are human, we strive to follow the teachings of Christ. You, even as an atheist, may strive to do some of the same things. However, do you expect us to just say ok, you are right, we are wrong? There will always be disagreement between religions. In the end of the story, when Jesus was no longer comforting and counseling the sinners, the poor, the evil, but submitting to them, he gave his life. But there were conditions on this sacrifice. You had to believe that he gave his life for your sins and there was only one god, and you devote your life to follow him and make sure everyone else knew about the chance for salvation.

Yes, the story of Jesus can be made to mean that you should not hate anyone. unfortunately for fans of happy endings for all, it came with that price- belief in Him.

If you truly are trying to be a Christian- that is, mold yourself in the image of Christ, I have a hard time believing that God would banish you to hell, even for being bad a few times. As you said man is imperfect. I would even venture to guess that if you were even half as good as Jesus, If you were truly caring for everyone you came in contact with, and you were an atheist, it would not matter. But I would be wrong. Jesus Did believe in God, and He was serious about it.

The acid laced answers you talk about are only people trying to win favor(maybe from others, maybe, sadly, from God). No one can judge but God right? So who are we to judge anyone. We can speak to what God has told us we will be judged for, but we cannot judge ourselves. Any malice behind statements meant to teach and counsel on Christ or God's part can only be interpreted as our own malice toward those that are as unworthy of Gods' forgiveness as we(the judgers) are. Though we may be less outwardly sinful, the worst of sinners will still be granted that forgiveness no matter how bad their transgressions.

The answer to your question, is No, but some genuinely try. Some may not show the outward symptoms, but even Christians sin. Some may not curse, or steal, or murder, all visible sins. But we all lust, we all covet, we all have anger. And, though the scripture reference escapes me now, lust and sin in the heart is the same as the physical act . No one can keep from thinking those things. Therefore, Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and anyone else you can think of has done something sinful. It's how you choose to deal with these thoughts and emotions that makes the difference.

Maybe Christianity is wrong, a myth, an fairy tale.... but I think that underlying principle is universal. He(Jesus) did 'deride' the money changers in the temple, and turned over their tables. He would have welcomed them into worship, but they had no interest.

You, however, as an atheist, should have no problem espousing the practises of Christ. In Christianity, he is a God/man, but in Human History he is only a man. Undoubtedly by all written accounts, a man worthy of recognition and emulation. You seem to me to be someone that feels that is true. I encourage you to do that.

I do believe that you must accept Christ to go to heaven. It is this fervent belief that causes many to judge and deride non-believers. Some do it out of greed, some do it out of genuine caring. Some out of haughtiness, knowing that their belief is the right one. I do it out of faith. So believe what you will... I won't judge someone else for being as guilty as I am. You have faith that there is no God, I have faith that there is.. that is the only difference.

Answer 2

I can't think of much to add. You've done a thoughtful, perceptive reading of the gospels, perceived their underlying values if not their theology, and made the distinction between Christians who try to live the gospel and those who prefer to brandish it like a weapon at their perceived enemies.

Some people have a pathological need to belong, to be clearly identified by their belonging, and to have clear and consistently defined beliefs and rules. The more one needs this, the more zealous and intolerant a person is. Arguments become less about doing good or solving problems and more about being right, about winning. Even some atheists do this.

The Bible was a good idea, but it sometimes gets turned into a trivia quiz rather than a manual for living. Some people lose the truth amongst all the words. They want to possess Truth rather than live it, so they can't really help but lash out at anyone who suggests they don't.

Answer 3

The sad but true answer is that you can't get to Heaven by good works and living a peaceful life alone but through the father Jesus Christ. Jesus says: I am the way, the truth, ad the life. No one can get to the father except through me! So the only true way to heaven is to allow Jesus/God into your life and have a real and genuine relationship with Him. Don't use Jesus as a get out of Hell Free card though. It's best not to sin and only pray to God for forgive was of those sins only to keep doing the same sins over and over again. Jesus is not a reason to sin, he's a reason not to!

Answer 4

God knows our hearts and who we are. He does ask us to walk the way he did when he walked this earth. Jesus was a great example for us because you know if people acted like him these days then life wouldn't be so darn hard and people wouldn't be so darn messed up. Including me.lol But before you decide to be an atheist and confess to that to the world then you better know that God does know everything and God sees everything. God is the Alpha and the Omega and Someday every one will know this. The ones that do try and do believe and the ones that do not try and do not believe will know this to. I would rather be on the side that did try and did believe. Then to be on the other side. God Bless You.

Answer 5

I have been of The True Christian Faith for just over 7 yrs... am 60... I have met some of the most kind, caring, loving Christians... men an women strong in The Faith... giving their all to The Church and to mankind... and I have never met one who was even half of what Christ was when He walked this earth... most Christian might live up to 10% of Christs standards... I personaly fall below that most days... but we all try... and fail... and try again...God does not demand perfection... just honest effort... great emphasis on the honest part... you have a fundamental misunderstanding of what and who Jesus is... and what he actualy taught about those he was reaching out to offer Salvation to... he did not approve nor did he condone.... but to reach the sinners he went to where they were... but he still preached against.

It is unfortunate that you never heard The Truth or understood what God was, and is still, offering you... Your Salvation is still yours to claim... I can tell you with absolute certainty that you never knew Jesus... so you could never have believed in Him... so you were never of The True Christian Faith... if you were told you were you were told by a man who had no authority to tell you that....you can not be born into The Faith... nor can any man delare you to be... you can compleat every ritual of any "denomination" you care to name and that will not make you a Christian... no matter how many years you may have attended... from birth or otherwise...The Bible is not a requirement for Salvation... and it matters not how many times you have read it ... or that you have read it at all...ONLY God may decree that any one is of The Church... If you don't get it directly from God you don't get it at all.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the answer would have to be a vehement "no" for the majority. Jesus was an exceptional person, and no one can come close to being like him, the closest I can think of off the top of my head is Mother Teresa. Unlike the majority of Christians, Jesus was a pious and devout Jew, and over the centuries, Jesus' message had been distorted and twisted in attempts to control people and put fear into them. If Christians followed the examples that Jesus put forth, the history of the world and it's current state would be much different. Jesus' message was for us to love one another. Look around you and see how well that message has been understood. Wars, killings, terror and other assorted misdoings in the name of religion, an oxymoron if I have ever heard one. Sorry to go off, and I certainly don't want to sound like a preacher, just trying to answer your question.

Answer 7

Most of the acid laced answers are for acid laced questions. For the most part Christians are not coming here to put down atheists, but I can't say that the reverse is true. It is the minority that I find questions from atheists that are not in some way loaded. Just count for yourself.

Answer 8

very well put. I,also, am an atheist and have on way too many occasions
seen christians AND atheist show a complete lack of respect to anyone who may have a different point of view. OPEN your mind!!!! stop acting as if you are the smartest human ever.

Answer 9

Most people that call themselves Christian, are in fact hypocrites. No one that I know of lives a life the way Jesus Christ said you must live it. Everyone I know of is either or all, greedy, selfish, backstabbing, or immoral. Sounds as if you may have experienced the same type.

Answer 10

Jesus was a Jew. He would have studied the Torah; he would have kept kosher; he would have kept the Sabbath (and on Saturday, not on Sunday); he would have respected his parents; he would not have told lies; he would have observed Passover and Yom Kippur and the other observances in the Jewish calendar; he wouldn't have worshipped a human being. I'm not saying I do all these things (I'm Jewish) either, but I'm not claiming to be a perfect person, and I'm not pretending that I have the answers for other people - just for myself.