The problem is also how some of the more outspoken Christians represent themselves. They are too busy verbally casting stones at people. There are a lot of Christians who aren’t very Christ-like. Just take a look at some of the religion threads. Different Christian religions bash each other continually. I know it’s always been that way, but it just seems so loud lately. To anyone on the outside it makes Christianity look bad. I don’t remember the exact quote Ghandi once made, but it was along the lines that he liked Jesus Christ and what he taught and that many Christians did not act like Him.
You're not casting a stone here at alleged stone-casters, are you?
There are a lot of Christians who aren’t very Christ-like.
Please define "Christ-like" (and please include a full-fledged portrait of Christ...one that includes chapter after chapter of how He treated the Pharisees...I think, for example, if folks read just small portions of those who were with Christ, they might be surprised...
For example: Luke, chapter 12: "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother in-law." (verses 51-53)
Or if somebody reviewed Luke 3 (where the Pharisees are called "you brood of vipers") or another place where he calls them whitewashed tombstones, or other places like Luke 14, Luke 20, Matthew 21, Matthew 22, Matthew 23 (woe after woe in this chapter!) anyway, I think some readers would be very surprised at how the Pharisees were repeatedly "belittled" by the Christ of the gospels...
Just take a look at some of the religion threads. Different Christian religions bash each other continually.
Well, if this is a crit you have, and if you've offered it on one of these types of threads, then I guess you've just officially joined in in "bashing" whatever "different Christian religions" you're referring to.
You see, the real question is not "can we or can we not critique?" others...the real question might be more of tone and attitude ("speaking the truth IN LOVE") which is certainly a challenge for all of us. Just because a wife may at times "nag" her hubby, it doesn't always (or even usually) mean she is unloving or is heavy into hubby-"bashing." Just because a dad may "correct" a still-maturing teenage son, it doesn't mean the dad is "bash-happy," does it?
I agree with you. I think the televangelists and the Christians that are very political receive so much media coverage, they define Christianity for some. From there, I believe they confuse Religion for Christianity. There is a big difference between following the church (especially some of them) and following Christ.
Think of the “religious” leaders who are discovered to be closet homosexuals. Even as they preach against homosexuality each Sunday. Think of the televangelists that collect millions to enrich their own personal lifestyles, while claiming to be ministers of Christ. They do not represent Christianity, but I doubt that some realize this. If that was my only exposure to Christianity, I doubt I would have any favorable views on it either.
While it seems to be "so loud lately", it is actually toned down from what it has been at times. The greatest modern charge against Christians seems to be "being judge mental", but it takes judgment to make that charge. If it is a sin, it seems to be pretty much universal, but no group has it used against them as much as Christians. Why?
The gay activists heap stones on the heads of Christians. They do not hate us for our “hypocrisy” but because we dare say that what they are DOING in wrong. He have stopped their ears because they do not want to hear this. Nor do they want to hear unwelcome messages from health professionals, who warn them quite kindly that they are abusing their bodies to death. Never mind that their life spans ate twenty fives less than their fellows; might as well tell a moth not to fly too close to the flame. Except they are more like wasps who sting any hand that tries to wave them away.
Ghandi spoke truth, but he missed the point. Christianity is not about 'doing, doing, doing' to get into heaven. It's about 'done, done, done'. . .by Jesus.
That is not to say that each Christian should not strive toward being a better person each and every day. But Christians are far from perfect in practicality - we are just perfect positionally because of what Christ did.