Hypocrisy: Over-Promising and Under-Delivering

[SecularMotion]

This time it was a Sikh woman, who was here with her family from Punjab. According to her essay, she had never lived among so many people who identified as Christian before, let alone study Christianity in a formal way.

This young woman made an observation that continues to kick about the corners of my mind as I reflect on what it means to follow Jesus. Simple really, but elegantly put.

My young Sikh student from Punjab wrote: "After learning about Christianity, it occurs to me that most of the Christians I know in America practice less than they say they believe."

In the words of business, Christians too often over-promise and under-deliver.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derek-penwell/hypocrisy-overpromising-a_b_3880686.html

[trotsky]

1. Far too many Christians seem to think that since forgiveness is an important element...

of their religion, they can act like complete assholes but it's OK, they can be forgiven. There's even an annoying bumper sticker about it - "Christians: Not perfect, just forgiven!"

The additionally negative aspect of that is so many think that it is only necessary to be forgiven by their god, and not the people they hurt.

And that's not even getting into the ones who act like assholes but believe there's no forgiveness necessary because they are doing god's work battling atheists on the Internet, abortionists at their clinics, gays at their funerals, etc.

[el_bryanto]

2. I would say the last part is the big problem

But I would also say it has to do with empathy, and, in general, White American's lack of empathy for people who have it worse off than they do. Religion plays a part in that, but I would say most of it is the general sense of entitlement; White Christian Americans basically feel like they have earned a special place in society and any attempt to question that is a threat.

I've always liked the phrase that preaching should "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." But for many, they'd rather hear preaching that comforts those who have plenty and condemns those who have little.

Bryant

[trotsky]

3. American Christians in particular got infected with Calvinism and the old "protestant work ethic."

Even those that aren't Calvinists or Protestants frequently exhibit the attitude that the poor and downtrodden must be that way because they aren't in favor with god, and those that have plenty are god's favorites.

[cbayer]

5. I think you argument applies to all positions of privilege - white, male, christian, straight.

Heck just being an American gives one a position of privilege that makes it hard to see the real lives of others.

And, imo, the more of these positions one holds, the more difficult it is to see around the blinders.

[cbayer]

4. I think the contrast would be particularly stark for a Sikh.

Agree with the author but would extend it to all - would like to see more people, and particularly christians, start under-promising and over-delivering.