How can people say they are Christians when they do not follow a Christian's lifestyle?

[danaemariejoan]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

 

[grampben]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

Because we are all fallible and sin, even as christians! Remember, making false judgments on a person’s character is a sin, so while I see where you’re coming from, I’d be careful.

 

[believers]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

Jesus said you would know His disciples by their love. He NEVER says anything about sacraments or joining the RCC. You cannot tell by traditions, rituals, sacraments, or any religious organization/institution. Jesus said ALL men would know His disciples by our love.

Jhn 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Jhn 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Life isn’t easy and I know Christ knows this. No one can possibly live a life like a saint, unless they’re a saint.

 

[Reuben_J]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

If anything this may bring comfort to many of us who fall in the categories you describe:

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ** I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”**

If I may add – it is a fallacy to think that Christians are holy an perfect and live according to the teaching of the Bible exactly. The best that we can expect is for us to be gradually transformed according to the requirement of the belief as an ongoing development in our lives. The reason Christians are being Christians is because we know we are sick and sinful and need a doctor. Some Christians recognize their sicknesses and try to repent. Many of them are able to repent and change successfully due to the grace of God but many more are unable to see their own sickness or able to see their sickness but are too weak in their resolve to get well.

I am not surprised by your observation. I am surprised however that you should think that Christians should be different from any ordinary people.

 

[danaemariejoan]

If anything this may bring comfort to many of us who fall in the categories you describe:

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ** I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”**

If I may add – it is a fallacy to think that Christians are holy an perfect and live according to the teaching of the Bible exactly. The best that we can expect is for us to be gradually transformed according to the requirement of the belief as an ongoing development in our lives. The reason Christians are being Christians is because we know we are sick and sinful and need a doctor. Some Christians recognize their sicknesses and try to repent. Many of them are able to repent and change successfully due to the grace of God but many more are unable to see their own sickness or able to see their sickness but are too weak in their resolve to get well.

I am not surprised by your observation. I am surprised however that you should think that Christians should be different from any ordinary people.

I do not think that Christians are any different from anybody else in the world. We are all the same deep down inside because God made us all in his own image. Pretty much everybody are hypocrits in many kinds of ways. (for example, criticizing someone for eating unhealthy food when they themselves do the same thing.)

 

[Reuben_J]

I do not think that Christians are any different from anybody else in the world. We are all the same deep down inside because God made us all in his own image. Pretty much everybody are hypocrits in many kinds of ways. (for example, criticizing someone for eating unhealthy food when they themselves do the same thing.)

So what is the point of this thread?

 

[danaemariejoan]

So what is the point of this thread?

I got kinda bored and wanted to see what people would say about it.

 

[Trishie]

Hi! I’m sorry you are so disilllusioned. Yes there are those whose Christianity remains generally unexplored.
However, lots of people sincerely try to live good Christian lives.
It’s a generalization to call almost everybody hypocrites…however some people do think in generalizations …but that’s okay, it takes all kinds of individuals to make up our world!

 

[Reuben_J]

I got kinda bored and wanted to see what people would say about it.

Does my post answer your curiosity?

Well, sure as Christians we should be holy and perfect as the Father is perfect. This can be done and many Christians do achieve this level of righteousness in their lives to some degrees.

Yes, we should not gossip, be hypocritical or sin. But even if we do it does not mean we cannot call ourselves Christians. It only means that we have lots of work to be done to correct it. Not all Christians are willing to find solution for their weaknesses. Not all are church going people. Even the regular church goers could be there for the wrong reason and found themselves no different from pagans.

Pray for those whom you think are hypocrites so that maybe they may change.

 

[danaemariejoan]

Does my post answer your curiosity?

Well, sure as Christians we should be holy and perfect as the Father is perfect. This can be done and many Christians do achieve this level of righteousness in their lives to some degrees.

Yes, we should not gossip, be hypocritical or sin. But even if we do it does not mean we cannot call ourselves Christians. It only means that we have lots of work to be done to correct it. Not all Christians are willing to find solution for their weaknesses. Not all are church going people. Even the regular church goers could be there for the wrong reason and found themselves no different from pagans.

Pray for those whom you think are hypocrites so that maybe they may change.

I will indeed pray for for these people because I always have.

 

[danaemariejoan]

Hi! I’m sorry you are so disilllusioned. Yes there are those whose Christianity remains generally unexplored.
However, lots of people sincerely try to live good Christian lives.
It’s a generalization to call almost everybody hypocrites…however some people do think in generalizations …but that’s okay, it takes all kinds of individuals to make up our world!

Yes, it does. I have believed this from the very beginning. And i will admit that I call myself a hypocrit because I am.

 

[Reuben_J]

I will indeed pray for for these people because I always have.

Thanks God for such charitable soul like you.

I was just thinking … we are called to be the light of the world. A light that lights a darkened world of sins and of ungodliness. I agree with you because righteousness starts with us first. When we are concerned that others should be righteous as well that’s the beginning of good work in ourselves. We can tell them not to sin but usually the more effective ways of telling them is by the changes that occur in ourselves.

I remember what Mother Teresa said about being a candle that shines in the dark. We can be that candle to light the darkness. Many things are not right in this world but we can be the candle to shine even in solitary among the things that not right so that a light will shine and brighten up the darkened place.

You can lead the journey and show the way to others. We are never too young or too small to too sinful to do that.

May God bless you in your journey.

 

[danaemariejoan]

Thanks God for such charitable soul like you.

I was just thinking … we are called to be the light of the world. A light that lights a darkened world of sins and of ungodliness. I agree with you because righteousness starts with us first. When we are concerned that others should be righteous as well that’s the beginning of good work in ourselves. We can tell them not to sin but usually the more effective ways of telling them is by the changes that occur in ourselves.

I remember what Mother Teresa said about being a candle that shines in the dark. We can be that candle to light the darkness. Many things are not right in this world but we can be the candle to shine even in solitary among the things that not right so that a light will shine and brighten up the darkened place.

You can lead the journey and show the way to others. We are never too young or too small to too sinful to do that.

May God bless you in your journey.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it, and I am really happy to have joined this community because I meet people like you.

 

[Eucharisted]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

Excellent point! I remember another saint - I forget her name, but I think it was Mother Teresa, not sure though - who said the same thing: How can somebody call themselves a Christian, yet not act Christian? It is hypocrisy, plain and simple. As Saint Peter said: It is not those who listen to the Law that are saved, but rather, it is those who heed the Law that are saved. Anyone can say, “Lord, Lord,” but a true Christian works in trembling for his salvation. Faith without works is dead, and faith leads to eternal life. So a Christian may be Christian by name, but if not by deed, prayer, and word, he is nothing.

 

[Spirithound]

Jesus said you would know His disciples by their love. He NEVER says anything about sacraments or joining the RCC. You cannot tell by traditions, rituals, sacraments, or any religious organization/institution. Jesus said ALL men would know His disciples by our love.

Jhn 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Jhn 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Dana didn’t say anything about sacraments or mention the Catholic Church by name…

 

[danaemariejoan]

Dana didn’t say anything about sacraments or mention the Catholic Church by name…

Thank you for defending me, but my name is Danae not Dana (that’s my mom)

 

[BareKnuckler]

That is exactly why I stopped calling myself a Christian. I liked reading the bible, but never did follow it enough, and figured its kinda stupid to call yourself something but then not do what is needed to make it actually true.

 

[Reuben_J]

That is exactly why I stopped calling myself a Christian. I liked reading the bible, but never did follow it enough, and figured its kinda stupid to call yourself something but then not do what is needed to make it actually true.

I’m sorry I don’t understand. I can’t say for Christians of other denomination but for Catholics, if you are baptized then you are a Catholic regardless of whether or not you are able to follow the Bible 100% and the church teaching for that matter.

I can only quote our elder sister (Mother Teresa) in the faith - we are not called to be successful but to be faithful. If we believe in God that’s a good start on the way to holiness. The next step would be to act accordingly to God’s way of life. The things in the Bible can be done and be followed though in some cases graces of God are certainly needed to achieve them.

I think the OP is ruing over the lack of positive attitude among Christians towards achieving and living tangible lives according to the value of the Gospel (paraphrase). In some ways we are all guilty of this one way or the other so don’t feel bad about it because God is a merciful and a forgiving God. The keyword is to come back to Him every time we are lacking and insufficient to do what it takes.

Figure this:
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Matthew 18:12

 

[peary]

I have known people who consider themselves “Christians” when they do not follow their own beliefs. How can they call themselves such when they sin (for example, they say that people should not gossip, talk down to, or degrade other people when they themselves do it)? This is hypocrisy and I was wondering what other people thought about it.

You know, Jesus gave us only ONE commandment to follow.