The Holier Than Thou Attitude

[Scanner]

I was wondering if anyone thinks this atttidue common among Christians (not just Catholics) is part of the trouble Christians have getting people to accept and like the teachings of Christianity. I know many people who just don’t want to be Christians because of this perception (however unjust or just it is). It seems distasteful to them.

How can Christianity go about better producing confident and secure parishioners without the air of superiority (pride?} that is perceived (or actually may be there)?

 

[awalt]

There’s really nothing to be confident about - we are sinners and deserve a horrible fate. It is only because of God’s gifts to us that we have any chance of being saved. Paul is very specific about not being proud in the Bible - there is n justification for the pride.

I would say more but we are not supposed to judge either - only God can judge our hearts . So the best thing we can do is show the plenty of God’s love by the example we set.

 

[Scanner]

Awalt,

I agree with the spirit of your post.

I know the word “PR” has a horrible connotation in today’s world - it is synomous with “lies and deceit.” But I guess what I am saying (rather than asking) is if the Catholic Church couldnt’ use a healthy dose of some good PR (it did absolute wonders for Mormonism).

I guess I am wondering how to communicate the spirit of what you wrote without the inadvertant mess Christians often get into as coming off “Holier Than Thou.”

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

SCANNER

“Holier Than Thou.”

A pejorative term which sometimes is used in resentment by those who know they are not-so-holy. It is true that some Christians wear their “holiness” on their sleeve, but I don’t know many who do. Priests and nuns wear “holy” clothes without pretending to be holier-than-thou, though I suppose some people think otherwise … especially people who are uncomfortable being around people who might really BE holy.

 

[b_justb]

Scanner:

How can Christianity go about better producing confident and secure parishioners without the air of superiority (pride?} that is perceived (or actually may be there)?

I read the words of Jesus and thought I would become Christian until I met some. – M.K. Ghandi

 

[deb1]

Before I was a Christian what kept me from believing was the same ‘holier then thou’ attitude that I saw in other Christians, especially women. Luckily, I met a very wonderful and humble Christian lady who led me to God by example not words. Sadly, it is often the bad examples of Christian charity that remain in a non believers mind.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

To me, “holier than thou” carries a connotation of judgmentalism – the kind of judgement that is properly reserved only for God.

When I think of a holy priest or a holy nun, I can’t even imagine them having a “holier than thou” attitude. Can you imagine St. Francis acting “holier than thou”? Or Mother Theresa? I can’t.

And believe me, a “holier than thou” attitude will turn people away from the Church. I know this, because I’ve seen it happen.

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