Why are so many Christians so cruel?

[artybloke]

What is it you consider nasty, dawnmo? Jesus said we are all evil and called the Pharisees snakes and a brood of vipers. He did it to show us that thinking of ourselves as wonderful will only keep us glorifying ourselves instead of seeking eternal life. To be able to see the truth about ourselves eliminates all fear because we have already admitted the worst. What more then is there is to fear? That's why "He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

The funny thing is, though, that the only people Jesus ever insulted were the people with the power and influence and the self-righteousness to lord it over other people. He never insulted the poor, the sinners, the prostitutes, the sick, the left-behind: that's why he was crucified. He identified with the lost so completely that they put him on a cross.

As Our Lady said, "to the poor he has given good things, but the rich he has sent empty away." (The Magnificat)

So many Christians act like Pharisees: they look down their noses at "sinners", at the poor and the unwell, and say "Thank God I am not like other men." I've probably done it myself at times; for which "mea culpa."

Where do we get off insulting other people anyway? Do we get some kind of satisfaction from calling other people sinners and saying, "I'd never be like this?" Probably; but it's also a refusal to take responsibility on ourselves for the way things are. An awful lot of us try to escape from our responsibility to love everyone by saying, "but they're not worthy of it." But Jesus died for the worthy and the unworthy, and who are we to say otherwise?

Christianity is not about feeling superior. It's about love.

 

[MQTA]

Christianity is not about feeling superior. It's about love.

That's where the supposed-to-be's differ from reality and perception in most cases.

 

[Emmy]

It always does my heart good,to read your messages.They are not all to God`s glory,but they show your interest in Christianity.Some of your answers are really uplifting,and some show bewilderment and also hurt.In many of your answers is truth and sound teaching.If I may just point out to Dawnmo; human beings are not perfect dear,Christians as well as others.It is our Lord Jesus you love and want to follow,He is perfect and He loves us all.When your time comes to join Him,and I hope it will not be for many years,you will find that He will be surrounded by Love,as well as Perfection.Sincere Greetings from Emmy,your Sister in Christ.

 

[paradigm man]

Its unfortunate that so many professing "christians" can be cruel. I think part of the problem has to do with conformity that has nothing to do with following christ. For example, many christians try to merge their culture with christianity, creating a hybrid that has nothing to do with christianity.

Some of the worst persecution I've experienced has come from the church. You are not alone, sister.

 

[wonder111]

you're right paradigm man, it's that merge that has nothing to do with Christ

 

[Deb4given]

I mean, really, I would like to know this. I have run into a lot of Christians in my day, and some of the worst people I have ever met are the ones that profess Christianity the loudest. Am I actually supposed to WANT to go to heaven and be surrounded by these people?

That's not to say that ALL Christians are jerks, but there are some on this board who are SO downright rude and hateful (even sending me nasty pm's), it's a wonder why anyone wants to be Christian at all. I believe in Jesus but I refuse to tag myself as Christian so I won't be associated with some of these people.

This is what came to my mind:

Matt. 7:20-7:23
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It pretty much says it all, and I wouldn't even dare to think that everyone that posts on here and *says* that they are a Christian is.

 

[Riddick]

I mean, really, I would like to know this. I have run into a lot of Christians in my day, and some of the worst people I have ever met are the ones that profess Christianity the loudest. Am I actually supposed to WANT to go to heaven and be surrounded by these people?

That's not to say that ALL Christians are jerks, but there are some on this board who are SO downright rude and hateful (even sending me nasty pm's), it's a wonder why anyone wants to be Christian at all. I believe in Jesus but I refuse to tag myself as Christian so I won't be associated with some of these people.

Why are you using such a large font? Do you think we're blind?

 

[Deb4given]

Why are you using such a large font? Do you think we're blind?

Riddick,

The font looks fine to me, in fact it's the same size as yours.

 

[Deb4given]

Not everybody that calls themselves a Christian actually are. Only God sees the true heart and motivation of a person's life - whether selfish or loving and giving, as is God's nature of love. God so loved....that He gave His Son, and we are to follow this call, denying self and picking up our cross daily and giving our lives in service to others. This is not an easy thing to do and can only be done with God's grace and Spirit. Sometimes it's very discouraging to see hypocrisy and wrong done, but it has to be ignored for the better. I've yet to meet a perfect person on earth, that I've gotten to know, but in order to receive mercy, we have to be merciul to others and believe the best for them. Just because we don't always receive mercy or grace from others doesn't mean we can condemn them and judge them, but we are to love them and repay good for evil done to us - not easy to do.

Romans 12:21 Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.

Mt 5:7 Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy.

Matthew 7:21 21 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will go into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the pleasure of my Father in heaven.
22 A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power?
23 And then will I say to them, I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil.

Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

GMTA...I didn't read all the posts before I responded....you were thinking what I was thinking.

 

[Riddick]

Riddick,

The font looks fine to me, in fact it's the same size as yours.

Accept my apologies to any offended.

Must be my new browser, firefox, playing tricks on me.

 

[dawnmo]

Why are you using such a large font? Do you think we're blind?

The font looks perfectly fine to me. My screen resolution is set to 1024x768 and if I don't have the other font, it's harder for me to read my posts. I might actually have to dig my glasses out, and I can never find them.

Well, thanks, I guess, to everyone. I'm much calmer than when I wrote this post. Perhaps I should explain what spurred it on.

I went to McDonald's early in the morning. All I wanted was to get one of those new McGriddle things. They are so good. While there, I saw someone I used to know at my old church. I thought I'd go up and say hi to her, we used to be really good friends but she didn't have "time" for me after I left the church. She was with some people I didn't know, but knowing her, she'd never hang around with anyone she didn't consider to be an "on-fire Christian."

So before I even said hello, she started screaming bible verses at me. Stuff about how God's going to kill me or something. Yikes Her friends took right up with her. The workers and other customers in McDonald's were shell-shocked. I know I don't need to take that stuff, so I turned around to leave. And the best part - SHE THREW HER BIBLE AT ME! It didn't hit me, just went sailing by me, but then they all started cackling and said that I needed the bible more than they did because God's going to kill me if I don't change my ways (presumably, go back to their church). Then I left.

She's the wife of the associate pastor at my former church, and very involved in the ministries there. Ick.

So then I come back here and there's someone yet again acting like a jerk to everyone who doesn't believe exactly like him or her (I won't say his or her name) and that was just IT.

You know, I rededicated my life a while ago, but now I'm wondering if that wasn't just a huge mistake. All of my real friends are going to hell, and most of my family is supposedly there, too. Why not join them.

 

[Carico]

That's so sad. It's people like her who give Christianity a bad name. Just remember, it's JESUS we follow, not His FOLLOWERS. Human nature is NOT pretty. We all have pride, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, solth, and lust. Christians are no exceptions. I'm sad to say, that there are FAR more wolves in sheep's clothing than there are true born again Christians in the world. I have been MERCILESSLY attacked by unbelievers as well, all for saying that they are forgiven! Jesus was hated for no reason, and so will Christians who pass on His words. Please try to remember that Christians are human as well and that it's CHRIST'S message, not human behavior that we should emulate.

 

[wonder111]

And the best part - SHE THREW HER BIBLE AT ME! It didn't hit me, just went sailing by me, but then they all started cackling and said that I needed the bible more than they did because God's going to kill me if I don't change my ways (presumably, go back to their church). Then I left.
.

wow, there's a new movie out called saved which a lot of Christians are mad at because it pokes fun of people like that. Someone actually throws the bible at someone in the film. As crazy as it is, this is clearly what gives Christ a bad name, soo sad

 

[Serapha]

You know, I rededicated my life a while ago, but now I'm wondering if that wasn't just a huge mistake. All of my real friends are going to hell, and most of my family is supposedly there, too. Why not join them.

Hi there!





I want you to file this thought deep in your mind....


Your "real" friend is Jesus.


He went to prepare a place for you, and He promised to return to take you to live in the Father's house. That's a real friend.


Your human friends cannot compare the privacy of your personal walk with Christ. Sooner or later, your friends and your family will fail you in some way, but Jesus never fails and He will always be there for you.

If you want to "join" your friends and spend eternity with friends and family, then convert them to the Christian way of life, and live your life so they will see Christ through you... for they may not see Christ in any other manner.

God's given you your own, personal mission field to work in for Him... make the most of it, and you will never have any regrets.


~serapha~