Hypocrisy

Anger seethes through my veins. While I do not pretend to be the perfect Christian, follow all dogma and live a perfect life I am enraged that some who call themselves just that practice the complete opposite. That phrase holds very little meaning in today’s Christian communities. I have seen more negativity, back turning and stabbing in today’s proverbial Christians than I do in those around me that profess to be Agnostic. It is truly sad that we can’t as humans get together for one another when in need, but then to have the audacity to label yourself a follower and true believer in Christ makes my blood boil.

As I sit her writing, I almost don’t know where to start. Listening to the radio while running errands I was tuned into a talk show. The kind that you call in and get advice. Today’s topic was Christianity and our believe system in that. I was floored at some of these calls. One in particular stood out. A woman had called in stated that she was married with 2 children and a devout Christian. The kind that goes to church every Sunday, although it is out of mere task. The type that sit in church and stare blankly while their to-do list is running through their minds. They never hear a word or have a message touch them, so let’s just go with the fact they certainly do not practice the teachings. How can they? They haven’t heard them. This woman is complaining that her younger sister had a child out of wedlock. Apparently this was a grievous act against the family. However, as she stated the family as a unit forgave her and accepted her and her child. The issue at hand was the fact the sister was having child number 2. At this point she was engaged to the father of both children, but had not been married as yet and would not by the time the child was born. Well, this is the most heinous act anyone could commit. It was ok for it to happen once, but twice was completely unacceptable. The advice seeker was questioning what exactly she should do considering she was very mad at her sister for performing such vile acts and wasn’t sure if as a unit they should disown her. I was floored that this question was even entertained. I’ll be honest, if it were me I would have hung up as my advice. Yes, I would have placed the phone on the hook.

First, as a devout Christian your job is forgiveness. Secondly, this child, like any other is a blessing. Last but certainly not least, I don’t ever remember reading anything in the Bible that said Christ left certain people in charge of the world to judge in his place. Truly. How dare we judge others before ourselves? When I was little my grandmother use to use a phrase that went something like this “don’t be too busy worrying about your neighbors yard, while yours looks like a dump”. Now I never got that…until now. I used to think it was just funny, but after listening to this woman on the radio, I found myself understanding the meaning of that phrase. In almost a year, I hadn’t lost my temper but today I was resolute to go through the radio and choke this self proclaimed Christian.

I fully understand and grasp that faith is personal. Everyone out there has their own system of belief whether it was instilled in family or researched as an adult. Either way what one believes in is their own. I whole heartedly stand by that statement. However, to have the audacity to call yourself Christian and do everything that is not Christian just turns my stomach and makes me want to scream. I, as a Christian, strongly believe that each individual’s relationship with God is very different and very personal. The stages of their spiritual journey also vary in timing and length, however, there are some solid foundational blocks that all Christians share; being able to forgive, love especially in not keeping a record of wrongs, and not being judgmental. Basic as these may seem I am floored that so many have such a hard time with them. I struggle daily within my own faith and yes I kick and scream constantly not wanting to do and learn certain lessons; however, to even contemplate turning my back on a family member because they did not “follow some warped guideline on how a perfect life should be” is simply ridiculous.

I know I am still angry and trying desperately to calm down at this point, but the issue brings up so many questions and raises so many flags. Hypocrisy knows no bounds, no religion, no gender. It is a silent killer of compassion within humanity today. I have lost some faith in my fellow Christians and am not completely sure there is ever a fix or some magic words to fix it….I can only pray that they read the same version of the Bible the rest of us do and actually read it with comprehension and a deep level of thought.

If I have offended anyone, I apologize….but being offended here makes one wonder what makes you take something like this as offensive, unless you feel the guilt of a past wrong. Introspect and allow guidance.