Can you be a proponent of a religion when your actions and values contradict all the fundamental beliefs?
It seems to me that there are so many religious people who are hypocrites. So many Christians seem to lie, steal, murder, and commit adultery, and then go around claiming to be Christian. How can someone reasonably claim to be a religious person when all their behaviour and attitudes contradict the fundamental beliefs of their religion? Are these people just lying about their religious beliefs for a good image, status and politics? There are only a very few people who I belief have spiritual integrity, and even those people I believe are confused and have hypocritical thoughts, despite keeping integrity in their actions.
9 Answers to "Can you be a proponent of a religion when your actions and values contradict all the fundamental beliefs?"
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I hope so. Thats why I need Christ. He already knows I will fall short. But I will keep trying to be the man he hope's I will become.
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Falling short is one thing. Consistently and blatantly contradicting the philosophies is another. If someone is doing the latter, I think that they really need to examine their beliefs.
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Or try much harder. I can only speak for myself. What I do wrong on a constants basis I do not do blatantly. But every day I know I need to pick myself up and try again. That why I ask for forgiveness, I/We need too. As for other I can NEVER judge them. I do not live there life or understand there beliefs.
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Hardly any Christians even know what Christianity is. The same for most religions.
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There is much truth in this.Like (1)
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Can you be? I don't think that's the real question but WHY are they? People have ideals and most can't live up to them. They also can't admit it.
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Yeah, it's fine if you admit your mistakes and try to change, but if you are unapologetic and even bragging about things that go against your religion, how can you reasonably call yourself religious?
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That's the problem with man made religion, not like their is another kind. With no greater voice telling people they are doing it wrong, they can pretty much do as they please, and start another sect/denomination if they choose. Justifying anything.
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To be a proponent requires only words.
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K insert the word genuine.
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I would suggest that those professed Christians are simply that, professed Christians. I tend to give those who attempt at any level to practice any positive religion a bit of slack. No sense in throwing out the baby with the bath. At least they make an attempt now and then.
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By attempting "now and then" they are just demonstrating that their religious morality is arbitrary and not genuine. I agree that people who make a solid effort at spiritual integrity should be respected. But most just seem blatantly and unapologetically hypocritical. I've only met a few religious people who seem genuine. The rest I feel are trying to cover up their immoral disposition by claiming to be religious.
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I've seen plenty of that as well.
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Sure, you can respect the objecives and goals, the way they conduct themselve, but not want to do it yourself
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The world is full of such people.
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Best Answer (Chosen by Voting):
Posted by Martha45 Feb 5th, 2013 at 9:04PM
I think it was Ghandi that said he would become Christian when he met a real Christian. Unfortunatly there are people that are royal hipocrites. I myself have found that at times have fallen very short of being true to myself. Please remember we are all human so we make mistakes. Those that do it on purpose you can see through the crap and to who they are. Try to see the one's that do the best they can to be as Christian as possible. We are out here and not all like you described. Take care and Blessings to you!
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Reply by Agonystick Feb 5th, 2013 at 9:21PM
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Reply by Martha45 Feb 5th, 2013 at 9:30PM
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