Friday, 03 July 2009
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Churches Are Full Of Hypocrites
I've heard it said often that the reason a person doesn't attend church is because they are full of hypocrites. I can't help agreeing with them. To see some people in my church can make me physically nauseous.
They dress up in their shirts and ties, dresses and suites, and pretend as if everything in life is a fantastic joy. They act as if they have nothing to hide, when in fact they are hiding everything from you. Their entire persona is a sham, a thinly veiled front to hide the fact that they make mistakes too. On top of all this they have the nerve to judge people who don't live up to their standard of living(a false one mind you) and actually go to bed at night thinking they have done someone a service.
That's when I remember that I fit into that description sometimes too. At times I've come to church, all dressed up, knowing that I'm barely concealing what's underneath. I've looked down on the "righteous" for their sense of self-righteousness, I've scoffed at the "sinner" for their "wicked" ways, and I've pretended everything's ok when it's not. It's hard to even face your friends sometimes, knowing that you're not the great person they all think you are. The very fact that I'm looking down on those "hypocrites" makes me a hypocrite.
Why must people attack the church for something the whole world does. We're all a fake and a hypocrite at one time or another, no matter what religion or lack thereof, you belong to. If you want to avoid hypocrites than remove yourself from the world, although you'll still never escape yourself.
We all are just humans, trying to do our best in a difficult world. I choose to attend church because I know it's what my God wants, and I find it comforting/liberating/helpful to surround myself by people who are all like me...imperfect.
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Comments (90)
Great post
I think it is just that, an excuse. Well, actually more like a lie that Satan has perpetuated and we have bought into. Sometimes, as a Christian, I feel like the really smart kid in class that everyone picks on because they are a little bit jealous and they can't quite understand why that kid is so smart. The smart kid makes others feel "less than" and I think that, especially in America, we can approach our Salvation with a superiority attitude. People can feel that, and that is what turns people away from the church. Christians need to be much more humble in this country.
lol Such perfect timing! Make me feel guilty...
So true! Mentioning church, I haven't been to church in like 6 years.Â
You're right. We're all hypocrites. That's not a problem. The problem arises when people don't realize that...
The best way to avoid looking like a hypocrite is to admit you're a hypocrite.
I realize we're all hypocrites - but most of the time I berate myself more than I would others, because *I* feel like "the worst" one. Sitting in a pew, with my makeup on and my clothes pressed, while I mentally undress the lead guitarist. See - that's candid, right? Maybe even TMI ("Meg, I don't want to know that you lust after fellow church members.") But I would NEVER tell anyone in my church about this (heck, no one from my church knows I have a Xanga - it's where I go to be candid w/o having to censure.) Anyway - I find myself being the "biggest" hypocrite of all - but deep down, I have a hunch we're all on the same plane. I have thought what you wrote, many, many, many times ... you described it beautifully.
@SerenaDante - You're so right. More of us christians and atheists need to relize the fact.
@SimplyNita - I would encourage you to find one you like. I'm serious it's such a great feeling to have people surround you whom you can relate to.
I think the difference between people who have removed themselves from the church and people who remain in the church (relating to hypocrisy) is that the people who have removed themselves are doing their best to live an unhypocritical lifestyle. I left the church because I didn't agree with what the church was saying in regards to how I should conduct myself in my day to day life. By leaving, I abandoned the hypocrisy I had taken on while staying. Sure, I could go to church every Sunday and Wednesday, and *say* I wouldn't be impurifying my mind with sexual thoughts or urges, and I could go and pray about how I really just couldn't obey my parents in the situations I was in, but until I actually left, I was being a huge hypocrite, and it literally drove me mad.
Now that I've left, and I'm not living that lie, I am so much happier.
@Passionflwr86 - The candide comments are refreshing. I don't think you're so different. We all have our own struggles, some that we battle daily! It would sure help to KNOW that we're not alone and that everyone in the church falls and fails, but unfortunately there are some who will never admit it.
I just take comfort in knowing that based on what the Bible says, those people, wether they admit it or not, are failures too.
The church is full of sinners, or hypocrites, its true. THe people I dont like in the church are the ones who gossip. (about people who shouldnt be in church)...its everywhere too.
@Shy___Away - But it sounds like you had more than just a hypocracy problem. You didn't even believe what was being taught.
I do understand what you're saying and you have an interesting thought.
@wolvenchic - That is an unfortunate thing. We're actually having a problem right now were a person has spread a rumor of "gossip" that is false and some have believed it.
The main point is that we're all flawed in one way or another and taking yourself out of church will make no difference.
@Simbathe2nd - I'm sorry, I should clarify. I understood and fundamentally agreed with what was being taught. Abstain from sex till marriage? Sure! Don't lie, cheat and steal? Made sense to me. However, because I am an imperfect being, I was indulging in a few of those vices, and I realized it was being hypocritical to live in a way that was 'of the world', but still expect the perks of church life. (If that makes sense.)
@Shy___Away - That was definitly a helpful clarification.
I've said for a long time that yes, the Christian church here on earth is full of hypocrites, but there are probably ten times (or more) as many hypocrites outside the church as in it. Unbelievers as well as Christians are guilty of a lot of hypocrasy
Imperfect as it is, I believe the Christian church was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a beacon of hope and spiritual direction to a lost and dying world out there. One day Christ Himself will judge us for how well we have kept His commands. He knows we are not perfect (by a long shot) but He still cares about us, loves us and is willing to forgive us.
I really appreciate the honesty of your blog. I personally think it took some courage to write and post it! Thank you very much indeed!
@Grampa_David - Thank you and I agree with everything you said.
Well worded post. Hypocrisy is not discriminatory and will find refuge in any human being, believer and non-believer alike
Yes, I am about to comment on something totally different from the post. Aha. Forgive me I just got back from my trip.
Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday :D
Good point, there is hypocrisy everywhere, not just in the church. (Although I do think it breeds like wildfire at my old church).
The best example I have is a family I know who attend every Sunday, sit in the front row with hands held high in praise, and then go home where the mom is a drunk, the dad has a porn issue, the daughter is a drunk, and their son was in a psych ward for a suicide/murder attempt on his family and does illegal stuff. But at church, they're "the best".
I think it stems down to the fact that most Christians just believe and that's it. I've yet to meet someone who actually tries to pattern their life after Christ and live the way he taught by following his example. I think the Lord looks at our willingness to obey him or to do just as we please. Most of us do the latter. If you look at the pattern in the Old and New Testaments, those who believed in God or Jesus Christ not only believed but they obeyed as well. That's how Abraham was tried, and was told to sacrifice his son. But you'll notice that when the Lord saw that he was really going to do it, he intervened because Abraham passed the test . . . he was willing to obey God in ALL things even if he had to sacrifice his son. I don't think we have that kind of faith today because not very many people make the effort to do the works because they don't think it's necessary anymore. I wonder about that sometimes. If it was necessary back then, why wouldn't it be necessary today?
Yes, agreed, the world is full of hypocrites... Becoming a hermit is the only way, even so, if the person himself is already a hypocrite, becoming a hermit will not let him escape from himself...
@homemadehappiness - I am trying to follow Christ as an example, but it is very hard since many Christian fundamentalists, Jews, Atheists, Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses made me their target of assault. The Biblical Jesus image indicates that He has quite a complex character Himself. It is hard though, since we never really interacted with Jesus in person. Knowing someone for 10 years doesn't guarantee that you will know that certain someone well. If we don't even know Him well, how can we follow the real Him? Even so, one cannot eliminate his or her own individuality just to follow the Lord. That's why, we can only get to a point when following Jesus Christ as an example, passing that line may introduce adverse effects on ourselves. God created us to be different from each other and from His Son so that we compliment and supplement each other in a complicated network.
@Simbathe2nd - Well, thats where I beg to differ. Each church I have been to creates more drama than its worth. Im well and fine practicing my own studies at home =P